Sovereign & States Litigation Summit USA

FIRE Americas Conference
9am - 5:30pm

Join us for the 3rd Annual FIRE Americas which will be held the previous day, at the same venue.

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Pre-event Networking Drinks
5:30pm

A unique networking drinks reception, where you will meet both the FIRE and Disputes Community.

Registration & Welcome Refreshments
09:00

Chairperson's Opening Remarks
09:20

Sovereign & States Litigation in a Multi-Polar World – Chartering The Future
09:30

• Key industries to look out for
• International court’s impacts on climate change and energy transition
• Popular selection with the seat of arbitration – is this changing?
• Exploring national security in the international litigation and arbitration space

Francisco A. Rodriguez - Partner - Reed Smith (Miami)

Enforcement with Intra EU Investment Arbitration
10:15

• How are US courts dealing with this?
• The interplay with DIFC and LCIA
• Bilateral Investment Treaties and the outcomes of terminations

Mahmoud Abuwasel - Managing Partner - Wasel & Wasel (DC)

Alex H. Loomis - Partner - Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan (Boston)

Networking & Refreshment Break
11:00

Exploring The Concept of Sovereign Immunity
11:30

• Deep dive with the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act
• What does it mean for enforcement against sovereigns?
• Impacts on your litigation strategy
• Compare and contrasting surveillance and employment

Viren Mascarenhas - Partner - Milbank (New York)

Unpacking the Significance of Investor-State Disputes Settlement
12:15

• Discussing the significance of the ISDS system with international investment
• The challenges of sovereignty, transparency and enforcement
• Balancing investor protection and state sovereignty

Caroline Richard - Partner - Freshfields (DC)

Bruce Marks - Founding and Managing Member - Marks & Sokolov (Philadelphia / Moscow)

Networking & Lunch Break
13:00

What Does It Take to Enforce Awards Against a Sovereign?
14:00

• Key developments of the DC Federal Courts on matters involving European sovereign
• Looking at recoverability rates and lengthy enforcement proceedings
• How costly can it be? Establishing everyone’s expectation on the costs of enforcing awards
• Challenges around enforcing against state-owned companies

Alexander A. Yanos - Partner - Alston & Bird (New York / DC)

Navigating The Waters with Respect to Sanctioned Sovereigns
14:45

• Designing an execution strategy around the US sanctions
• How the sanctions regime has changed with the new administration
• How to engage with sanctioned sovereigns

Networking & Refreshment Break
15:30

Best Practices for Client Communication for High Stakes Disputes
16:00

• Key skills for navigating the range of clients you get
• Minimising the number of surprises and managing expectations
• Addressing cultural and diplomatic sensitivities
• Reputational risks - Preparing for public and media inquiries

Richard C. Lorenzo - Regional Managing Partner Litigation, Arbitration, and Employment - Hogan Lovells (Miami)

Spotlight on Foreign Investment
16:45

• Balancing investment opportunities and potential disputes
• How political volatility impacts foreign investment in LATAM
• Ensuring a comprehensive protection strategy
• Growth of Chinese investments into LATAM
• Exploring the Middle East and Sovereign Wealth Funds

José García Cueto - Partner - Clifford Chance (DC)

Chairperson's Closing Remarks & End of Conference
17:30