Legal 500 Latin America Recognizes Curtis Practices and Attorneys in 2022 Edition

Curtis’ Latin America team has been recognized in the Legal 500 Latin America 2022. The firm gained recognition in the following practice areas:

International Arbitration: The firm’s international arbitration team was recognized as being "…one of the best in Latin America and around the world. Curtis’s lawyers have superb legal skills and unbeatable industry experience. They are the best advocates a client could wish for." The firm’s sovereign representation was noted, particularly in high profile high value work, as well as its oil and gas sectoral expertise. The firm was praised as having "Great expertise in many different areas related to international commercial arbitration which gives them a competitive advantage internationally."

The practice was also described as "A modern practice with an excellent grasp of arbitration rules, which allows them to establish clear parameters for the conduct of procedures, while maintaining great flexibility."

George Kahale III, Claudia Frutos-Peterson, Simon Batifort were all singled out for praise:

• "Claudia Frutos has excellent advocacy skills. Both are also great as arbitrators."
• "George Kahale has a unique combination of superb legal skills and real-world intuition. His broad experience negotiating deals makes him one of the best international arbitration lawyers in the world."
• "George Kahale is one of the smartest people I have ever worked with. He is a good team manager, building a spirit of cooperation and mutual support among all parties working with him."
• "Simon Batifort is a very accomplished young lawyer with a bright future ahead. He has an encyclopedic knowledge of international arbitration cases and great advocacy skills."
• "Claudia Frutos combines commercial and investor-state work in a very flexible way. She is an extraordinary attorney with great dedication and unmatched legal insight."

Mexico City: The firm’s Mexico office was also recognized as “…renowned for its expertise in handling investor-State arbitration, although, over the last few years it has successfully expanded its ‘excellent work and skills in that area to its growing commercial arbitration practice.” Testimonials include:

• "They started with great strength in handling investor-state arbitrations. They have now started to get involved in commercial arbitration and have successfully transferred their excellent work and skills to that area. They have a great future ahead of them."
• "Claudia Frutos combines commercial and investor-state practice in a very flexible way. She is an extraordinary lawyer with great dedication."

Banking and Finance: The firm’s Banking & Finance team in Mexico was also praised as a ”strong banking and finance practice with a focus on financial and other commercial transactions. Although best known for advising state-owned entities on infrastructure and project financings, with a particular focus on the oil-and-gas sector, the practice led by partner Rodrigo Valverde Sánchez has stepped up its work with private-sector clients, counselling commercial borrowers, issuers, lenders and investors.” Rodrigo Valverde and Abraham Sosa were both singled out for praise:

• "Rodrigo Valverde and Abraham Sosa have a deep and sensitive knowledge not only of the sector in general but also of the specific issue."
• "I would highlight above all their willingness. They are always willing and very present and attentive to the clients."
• "Considering the new situation generated by the pandemic, they have adapted very well maintaining close contact, and of course the response time has been the same."