Practice Areas: International Transactions

International Arbitration

As a result of our representation of the Government of Kazakhstan, described in more detail below, we have enjoyed considerable success for our clients in international arbitration. The initial surge of Western interest in that country after the dissolution of the Soviet Union a decade ago led to a number of ill-considered contracts between the Government and foreign investors. Unrealistic expectations on both sides resulted in many disputes to be resolved by arbitration in London, Paris or Stockholm, traditional centers for East-West dispute resolution.

The practice has since expanded to include private clients in Kazakhstan and Russia and U.S. companies trading abroad. The result is an expertise in arbitration strategy and tactics, not only for resolving an actual dispute, but also for planning at the contracting stage for dispute resolution in the future — which forum? which rules? which law? This expertise is proving to be increasingly useful to U.S. clients expanding their activities abroad. John Barnum, a partner in the Brussels office and head of the International Group of the firm, devotes most of his time to this practice.