International Arbitration

Orrick represents clients from around the world in alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, such as mediation, conciliation, minitrials and arbitrations.

Orrick lawyers have served as lead counsel in major international arbitrations deriving from commercial and investment disputes. We have handled ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings under a wide variety of arbitral rules and governing laws.

Our lawyers are qualified to practice law in a multitude of jurisdictions with common law and civil law traditions and can handle arbitration matters regardless of the venue, the applicable rules of law or the language. Most of Orrick's arbitration practitioners are located in New York, Washington, D.C., San Francisco, Silicon Valley, London, Paris, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt, Milan, Moscow, Hong Kong and Tokyo.

Orrick lawyers have familiarity with all of the leading arbitration institutions, such as the

• International Chamber of Commerce (ICC)
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID)
• World Intellectual Property Association (WIPO)
• China International Economic and Trade Arbitration Commission (CIETAC)
• International Commercial Arbitration Court (ICAC) at the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of the Russian Federation
• Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre

W. Laurence Craig, a senior counsel in Orrick's Paris office known as the "founding father" of international arbitration, is the co-author of three major ICC publications: "International Chamber of Commerce Arbitration," the "Annotated Guide to the 1998 ICC Arbitration Rules" and the "International Commercial Arbitration: Cases, Materials and Notes on the Resolution of International Business Disputes." Furthermore, Orrick has been a sponsoring member of the CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution since its founding in 1982.

Siegfried H. Elsing, senior partner in the Düsseldorf office, has served as counsel, party-appointed arbitrator, sole arbitrator or chairman in more than 140 arbitrations, including proceedings under the auspices of leading arbitral institutions. In 2011, he was appointed as one of just three Europeans to serve on the newly formed Panel of Conciliators of the Council of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), which will oversee international investment disputes involving state governments.

Our lawyers have defended the interests of Orrick's clients not only in arbitration proceedings but also in any parallel judicial proceedings before national courts, which, at times, are commenced in connection with very complex disputes. Orrick has been recognized for its litigation capabilities; and in fact, the firm was profiled in The American Lawyer's "Litigation Department of the Year" survey, which focuses on the leading litigation practices in the United States ("A Distinguished Dozen," January 2006).

The in-depth experience of our lawyers and their highly responsive attitude to the needs of Orrick's clients have been widely acknowledged. By way of example, four lawyers in Orrick's international arbitration practice were recommended in PLC Which Lawyer? 2010, and a number of our lawyers are recognized as leaders in international arbitration in Chambers Global: The World's Leading Lawyers 2010. Orrick lawyers also have served as arbitrators in numerous international arbitration proceedings.

In addition to our experience as counsel and as arbitrators in arbitration proceedings, we assist our clients in structuring corporate-wide strategic and cost-efficient arbitration/dispute resolution programs as well as in drafting arbitration clauses for international commercial contracts. Orrick lawyers regularly advise companies on the drafting of choice of law, choice of forum and arbitration clauses for project finance and energy transactions, joint ventures, technology transfers and various other transactions involving parties from around the world.

Scope of Experience

Orrick represents companies from a wide range of industries, including, among others:

• Construction
• Energy, oil and gas
• Insurance
• Manufacturing and distribution
• Securities, banking and finance
• Telecommunications and information technology
• Shipping, transport and maritime
• Metals and mining
• Military armaments

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