With ‘wonderful expertise in public international law’, A&O Shearman is routinely mandated by sovereigns and corporations to assist with major bilateral and multilateral investment treaty-related disputes. The team also advises states and international organisations, including international financial institutions, on international treaties and conventions, sanctions regimes, sovereign immunity, state succession, and use of force. Other key areas are international anti-terrorism conventions, boundary disputes, international humanitarian law, trade, and WTO issues. Group head Mark Levy KC is a specialist in commercial and investment treaty arbitration cases, as well as WTO matters; ‘very thorough and intelligent lawyer’ Matthew Hodgson has notable experience in disputes over joint ventures, distribution agreements, post-M&A issues, and natural resources and infrastructure projects; Guled Yusuf is ‘fast becoming a leading lawyer in public international law’; and James Freeman leads the London international arbitration team. Also key to the practice are Andrew Denny, who chairs the firm’s human rights working group; international trade and regulatory law practice head Matthew Townsend; and public international law expert Katrina Limond. Sarah Garvey departed the firm in October 2023.

Clifford Chance LLP ‘offers the best and broadest range of litigation services of all London firms that operate in the public international law sphere’ (as stated by one client). Acting for states, international organisations, corporations and individuals, the practice covers disputed territories, state succession-related issues and sovereign immunity, as well as emerging public international issues concerning climate change and international trade tensions. The firm additionally acts for both investors and states in major investor-state disputes. The practice is led by ‘standout star’ Jessica Gladstone, who focuses on public international law, international disputes, climate change, international trade, and business and human rights; Rae Lindsay, an expert in the status, immunities and privileges of international organisations, as well as business and human rights; and investment treaty protection specialist Audley Sheppard KC. Other experienced practitioners are Anna Kirkpatrick, who advises international organisations, companies and sovereign wealth funds on international law issues; Jeremy Stewart, whose practice covers WTO issues, free trade agreements, UN matters, and climate change and human rights instruments; Carla Lewis, who focuses on EU and UK restrictive measures; and investment treaty and commercial arbitration practitioner Christina Schuetz.

Debevoise & Plimpton LLP is ‘one of the few truly expert law firms for public international law’. The sizeable team in London represents states in high-stakes International Court of Justice (ICJ) proceedings, and is particularly experienced in state-to-state matters of international significance. The practice further acts for intergovernmental organisations in UN-related matters, along with representing major corporations in the domestic courts. Resuming his role as chair of the House of Lords International Agreements Committee in 2023, former UK Attorney General Lord Goldsmith KC has an enviable market reputation for his appearances before international courts; Jeffrey Sullivan KC, a July 2023 recruit from Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, is a renowned Energy Charter Treaty expert; Samantha Rowe‘s track record includes disputes before the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea, the International Civil Aviation Organisation, and the WTO; and investor-state arbitration specialist Conway Blake ‘rapidly cuts through the noise to identify the key issues’. The team also includes Aimee-Jane Lee, who focuses on public international law, international treaties and international arbitration; and Monika Hlavkova, who is experienced in both investment and commercial arbitrations under a wide range of rules.

Fietta LLP is ‘the best public international law boutique in London, bar none’ (according to one client). In addition to being mandated by sovereign states for bet-the-country cases, the group is home to experts in the Law of the Sea, maritime boundaries, international environmental law, human rights, international humanitarian legislation, and international investment law. ‘Very well versed in public international law’, founding partner Stephen Fietta KC is regularly instructed by sovereign states to act in highly-sensitive public international law matters, including heavyweight territorial and maritime disputes; ’first-rate international lawyer’ Laura Rees-Evans advises on a range of public international law issues, including international investment law, international human rights and the Law of the Sea, along with treaty interpretation, UN procedure, and statehood and sovereignty issues; and Oonagh Sands represents sovereign states and their state-owned bodies, as well as individuals and private entities. Both Rees-Evans and Sands were raised to partner level in April 2024; while Miglena Angelova‘s workload covers international investment law, international human rights, treaty interpretation, and international organisations’ immunity. Former partners Jiries Saadeh and Ashique Rahman departed the firm in March 2024.

According to one client, Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer LLP‘s London team is ‘quite simply the best‘. Part of the firm’s widely-respected dispute resolution group, the large public international law team is well known for handling high-profile and politically-sensitive disputes. With notable experience in challenging and emerging markets, the group is highly experienced in representing states in inter-state disputes, including before the ICJ and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. It also acts for claimant investors in relation to bilateral investment treaty cases. Other areas of expertise range from state responsibility, treaty drafting, environmental law and use of armed force, to human rights, sanctions, embargoes, and territorial and maritime boundary disputes. The department is headed up by ‘brilliant cross-examiner’ Will Thomas KC, who is a highly-rated public international law and investment arbitration expert; while ‘top-quality practitioner’ Sylvia Noury KC focuses on emerging markets, especially Africa, India and Latin America. The practice further includes WTO and free trade agreement specialist Lorand Bartels MBE, who acts for both states and corporations on public international law issues; and Joshua Kelly, whose public international law caseload encompasses disputes involving Russia, the CIS, Africa, and offshore jurisdictions.

Herbert Smith Freehills LLP represents states, international organisations, and major corporations across the gamut of public international law issues, including Law of the Sea, state immunity, state recognition, international trade, and human rights. The sizeable team also represents both investors and states in investor-state disputes, in relation to treaties, investment codes and investment contracts. Co-leading the department, Andrew Cannon‘s experience includes acting in ad hoc and institutional arbitrations across multiple jurisdictions (under the rules of both major arbitral institutions and governing laws); and Christian Leathley, an August 2023 returnee to London from the firm’s New York office, who has longstanding experience in international commercial and investment arbitrations, particularly in relation to Central and South America. The team additionally includes Hannah Ambrose, whose public international law practice covers boundaries, investment treaty claims, state immunity, and international organisations’ immunity; Louise Barber, who is experienced in investment treaty arbitrations, Law of the Sea issues, maritime boundary disputes, treaty interpretation, and international human rights law; and Joel Halliday, who has particular experience in energy and mining-related international arbitrations involving Asia.

Exclusively focused on public international law, Volterra Fietta represents states, international organisations, and private parties on ICJ cases, maritime boundary issues, and investment treaty arbitrations, including ICSID claims. The practice is also expert in state immunity cases before the English courts, the laws of war and international humanitarian legislation, along with WTO matters, international trade law, international human rights and state responsibility. ‘One of the best public international lawyers of his generation’, Robert Volterra represents governments, international organisations and private clients in an array of public international law and international dispute resolution issues; and Peter Flint acts for states and investors in disputes involving investment treaties and host state investment protection legislation. The practice further showcases Gunjan Sharma, whose ‘strategic guidance is clear and comprehensive’; state-to-state disputes expert Ahmed Abdel Hakam, whose investment treaty caseload covers the energy and natural resources sector; and Angela Ha, who is experienced in international human rights, the Law of the Sea, international investment law, sovereign immunities, the laws of war, and land and maritime boundary disputes Florentine Vos, Ben Burnham and Magdalena Kowalczuk Asher are also key team members.

Arnold & Porter‘s London team has a strong market reputation for its representation of sovereign states in international arbitrations. The practice also has a significant track record on behalf of investors. The group is co-led by international investor-state arbitration specialist Patricio Grané Labat, who acts in investment arbitrations under bilateral investment treaties, the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), and the Dominican Republic-Central America-United States Free Trade Agreement (CAFTA-DR); and David Reed, who represents multinational corporations, sovereign states and government-owned entities in international commercial and international investment arbitrations, including in relation to the construction, engineering, power, telecoms, IT, and oil and gas sectors. The practice further includes Latin America expert Álvaro Nistal, who acts in investor-state arbitrations and public international law issues; Tim Smyth, who represents sovereign states, multinational corporations and HNW individuals in international arbitrations and public international law disputes; and Bart Wasiak, a specialist in banking, energy, mining, shipping, and telecoms-related disputes. Andrea Mauri Paricio, Paloma García Guerra and Julia Calderón Carcedo are also key team members. In March 2024, former partner Monty Taylor departed the firm.

The team in Cooley (UK) LLP‘s London office covers a wide range of public international law matters, including investment treaty and international trade disputes, advisory work, and Law of the Sea advice to coastal states. The group also advises on state responsibility in areas of high regional contention, and maintains a robust international asset recovery practice. Among the firm’s experienced practitioners, James Maton‘s track record includes obtaining successful outcomes for both corporate and government clients in complex public international law disputes; commercial, public law, cross-border fraud, and asset-tracing specialist Laurence Harris is well known for advising on government asset recovery programmes; and Henry Stewart‘s litigation caseload encompasses asset recovery and anti-corruption matters. The department further comprises ‘standout team player’ and Law of the Sea expert John Brown, an adviser on maritime boundary delimitation issues, including freedom of navigation matters; and Juan Nascimbene, who is focused on international treaty arbitration, public international law and international economic law.

According to one client, Latham & Watkins is ‘simply the best law firm around when it comes to investment treaty arbitration’. The London team advises on a range of public international law issues, including international boundary law and Law of the Sea disputes, as well as investment treaty and international trade law, sanctions, sovereign immunity, international humanitarian legislation, and human rights law. It also acts for states in major investment treaty arbitrations. The practice is headed by Charles Claypoole, who is ‘one of the London market’s most knowledgeable and experienced public international law practitioners’. Claypoole is particularly focused on investment treaty arbitration, international trade law, and state immunity issues. The team also includes Sophie Lamb KC, who has an enviable track record in successfully representing investors and sovereign states in investment treaty disputes; Robert Price, whose workload encompasses investment treaty arbitrations, international trade, export control law and international trade sanctions; and investment treaty arbitration expert Samuel Pape. Other names to note are Thomas Lane, ‘a star of the future’; and Isuru Devendra, who acts in disputes concerning investment treaties, free trade agreements, national investment laws, and joint venture agreements.

Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan, LLP has ‘incredible expertise in investment treaty arbitration’. The large London team acts both for and against sovereign entities in arbitrations, international litigation and enforcement proceedings; and it is particularly well known for billion-dollar plus arbitrations involving states and state bodies. The group’s sector expertise covers the mining, energy, and telecoms industries, as well as construction, infrastructure, and oil and gas. The global international arbitration practice is chaired by the ‘exceptionally knowledgable and experienced’ Stephen Jagusch KC, whose track record includes acting in numerous ad hoc and institutional international arbitrations; ‘brilliant lawyer’ Anthony Sinclair, a specialist in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration, as well as general public international law issues; and Epaminontas Triantafilou, whose experience includes arbitrations arising from government contracts and concessions, joint ventures, shareholder agreements, patent licensing disputes, and construction agreements. The practice also features co-chair of the firm’s energy disputes practice, Ted Greeno; Alex Gerbi, who has notable expertise in disputes involving the Middle East, Russia and Ukraine; investor-state arbitration practitioner Jagdish Menezes, who is experienced in disputes involving sovereigns; and Odysseas Repousis, whose practice also encompasses investor-state disputes.

Exclusively active in international disputes, Three Crowns LLP‘s London office acts for corporations in heavyweight investor-state proceedings brought against states, including matters that are not treaty-based. The team also defends states against claims. The practice is co-led by the ‘extremely sharp and convincing’ Constantine Partasides KC, who regularly obtains multibillion-dollar awards and is increasingly involved in arbitration-related litigation; and Gaëtan Verhoosel, who has a strong track record in complex investment treaty cases. The team further showcases Middle Eastern disputes specialist Reza Mohtashami KC, who acts for oil supermajors, construction firms, sovereign states and state entities; Manish Aggarwal, an expert in investor-state arbitrations under both UNCITRAL and ICSID rules; and Leilah Bruton, who ‘has amazing attention to detail’. Other names to note are energy disputes practitioner Hamid Abdulkareem; Farouk El-Hosseny, a specialist in commercial and investor-state disputes in the telecoms and oil and gas sectors; and Ridhi Kabra, who acts in investment treaty arbitrations in relation to taxation, infrastructure, telecoms, joint ventures, and oil and gas disputes. Carmen Martinez Lopez relocated to the firm’s Madrid office in October 2023.

In addition to Withers LLP‘s credentials in state-state and treaty disputes, the practice consistently litigates international law issues in the courts of England and Wales, in relation to sovereign immunity. The ‘fantastic team’ is also experienced in human rights disputes and sanctions. The only Solicitor-Advocate to take silk in 2024, ‘outstanding’ practice head Hussein Haeri KC advises on the gamut of public international law matters, including sovereign immunity issues arising out of the enforcement of judgments and awards against states, as well as The Law of the Sea, human rights, and international sanctions; and former Attorney General of England and Wales, Sir Geoffrey Cox KC, represents states in international disputes. The ‘technically skilled and commercial’ practice additionally showcases Robert Kovacs, a specialist in public international law, international arbitration, and business and human rights; Camilla Gambarini, who represents individuals, companies, states and state-owned entities in international arbitrations involving the energy, aviation, metal, waste management and media sectors; former Member of the UN International Law Commission Aniruddha Rajput; and dual-qualified (Turkey and England and Wales) Ruzin Dagli, whose workload covers the application of treaties, and disputes concerning human rights, sovereign immunity, and international trade and investments.

Baker Botts (UK) LLP‘s ‘strong and well-integrated’ London team regularly acts in high-stakes investor-state disputes involving the telecoms, energy, mining and construction sectors; and it is particularly active in relation to the Middle East and Latin America. Johannes Koepp specialises in commercial and investor-state arbitrations; Alejandro Escobar represents governments, businesses and public entities in disputes over projects, concessions, investment contracts and investment protection treaties; and Dorine Farah is ‘a superb advocate’. The practice further comprises recently-promoted international disputes expert David Turner; and Latin American disputes practitioner Ernesto Féliz De Jesús, who ‘has extensive knowledge of international law’.

A ‘first-rate firm that is used to fighting for clients’, Carter-Ruck is best known for its expertise in sanctions. The practice also covers human rights, INTERPOL notices, extradition, and diplomatic protection, along with statehood recognition and state and diplomatic immunity issues. Guy Martin is a highly-rated sanctions specialist; Cameron Doley represents governments, state heads, state, political figures, commercial entities and individuals on international issues; Miranda Rushton’s wide-ranging practice includes investor-state arbitrations; and Charles Enderby Smith ‘gives exceptional advice’. The group also features disputes lawyer Alasdair Pepper; the ‘well-organised and flexible’ François Holmey; and Lawrence Northmore-Ball, who is experienced in investment arbitrations.

Clyde & Co‘s ‘very responsive’ global dispute resolution group acts in public international law matters before both national courts and international tribunals. The team, which represents states and state-owned entities in international investment agreement-related arbitrations, also advises sovereign states and international organisations on public international law issues. Energy, aviation, telecoms, and trade and commodities sector expert Ben Knowles chairs the firm’s global arbitration group; Loukas Mistelis has ‘a significant amount of experience’; Lee Bacon is experienced in Latin America-related disputes; John Whittaker acts for and against governments; and Clare Hatcher's practice encompasses international sanctions.

A ‘go-to set for public international law’, Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP routinely represents sovereign nations in investor-state arbitrations. The London team is also experienced in public international law issues, such as treaty interpretation and drafting, state responsibility, state succession to bilateral investment treaties, and sovereign immunity. Charles Buderi acts for governments in sovereignty, treaty and diplomatic matters, as well as investment treaty arbitration disputes involving states and their governments; public international law expert Luciana Ricart ‘stands out for her in-depth knowledge of international law’; Lise Johnson  is a policy specialist; and Belén María Ibañez works between London and Washington DC.

Eversheds Sutherland (International) LLP houses experts in public international law, as well as investor-state and state-to-state arbitrations. The team additionally covers boundary disputes, business and human rights, and arbitration award enforcements. The track record of Jonathan Leach, the global co-chair of the firm’s international arbitration group, includes appearing as lead counsel in several investment arbitrations; and Mark Howarth  is energy disputes head. The ‘excellent’ commercial and investment treaty arbitration expert Katia Finkel and investor-state arbitration and public international law specialist Wilson Antoon are late 2023 hires from Baker McKenzie and King & Wood Mallesons, respectively. In August 2023, Cameron Forsaith left the firm.

The ‘very strong public international law practice’ at Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher has notable sector experience in the energy, telecoms, insurance, construction, pharmaceutical and banking sectors. The practice is co-led by international arbitration specialist Cyrus Benson, who is a ‘first-rate lawyer and advocate’; and the ‘outstandingly energetic and tireless’ Penny Madden KC, who has significant expertise in shareholder, telecoms, energy, international trade and insurance disputes. The practice further showcases former President of the European Court of Human Rights, Robert Spano; Piers Plumptre, who has significant investment treaty arbitration experience; and ‘excellent public international law practitioner’ Ceyda Knoebel.

The 11-strong public international law team in Hogan Lovells International LLP‘s London office is particularly well known for its representation of Eastern European investors, states and state-owned entities in energy sector and infrastructure-related claims. The public international law practice is headed up by public international law and EU law specialist Markus Burgstaller, who is experienced in proceedings before national courts, international tribunals, the EU courts, and the European Court of Human Rights. Regularly working alongside Burgstaller, investment treaty disputes expert Scott Macpherson is experienced in claims in the oil and gas, energy, aviation, media, telecoms, and mining sectors.

Fielding ‘hard-working advocates’, Jones Day‘s London practice is experienced in maritime boundaries, sanctions, sovereign immunity, human rights, climate change, INERPOL red notices, and international organisations’ immunity. The team also comprises experts in state responsibility, treaty interpretation, and state recognition and succession. It is further experienced in public international law issues concerning the UN, corruption, bribery, export controls, ESG, and embargoes. Michelle Bradfield assists states, private entities and international organisations with a range of public international law matters; Lee Coffey focuses on complex international disputes; and Julian Bailey is experienced in investor-state matters.

King & Spalding LLP acts in inter-state cases involving territorial disputes, privileges, immunities, international criminal law, and human rights law. The London practice also comprises experts in Law of the Sea and investment treaty arbitrations. Thomas Sprange KC acts in complex disputes; Sajid Ahmed and Egishe Dzhazoyan are international arbitration experts; John Savage KC specialises in corporate and investment disputes; Giorgio Mandelli appears before ad hoc and institutional international arbitration tribunals; and Peter Hood's practice covers public international law, sanctions, and business and human rights. Ben Emmerson CBE KC retired from the partnership, but remains as consultant to the firm.

Linklaters LLP is consistently mandated by states and investors to act in public international law disputes. The practice further advises corporations and governments on bilateral and multilateral trade agreements, WTO policy, trade disputes, and market access and regulatory barriers. Other key areas are sanctions, international human rights law, and state sovereignty and immunity issues. Matthew Weiniger KC is global international arbitration chair; Charlotte Morgan co-leads the firm’s trade law practice; and Rachel Barrett co-heads the business and human rights group. The practice also comprises energy disputes leader Ben Carroll; international arbitration specialist Teresa Laboucarié-Polak; and government-related disputes expert Alex Fawke.

Acting for both states and corporations, Simmons & Simmons' five-member public international law team fields specialists in international treaties, sovereign immunity, state succession, and international sanctions. The practice’s recent caseload covers the telecoms, utilities, energy, and financial services sectors; and it is increasingly mandated to advise on Energy Charter Treaty issues, as well as ESG matters. International arbitration group leader Stuart Dutson is ‘a star in the field’; Basil Woodd-Walker's specialisms encompass state immunity, international treaties and investor state arbitration; and public international law adviser Jonathan Schuman is ‘able to run the most complex case like clockwork’.

Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (UK) LLP routinely acts in investment treaty arbitrations that feature public international law and treaty interpretation issues. It also advises on US, UK and European Union economic sanctions, in relation to Russia, Iran, Syria and Venezuela; and represents states in inter-state matters. Ryan Junck leads the firm’s international white-collar defense and investigations practice; and Europe international litigation and arbitration group leader Kate Davies KC and Daniel Gal KC all act in investment treaty arbitrations. In December 2023, Elizabeth Robertson departed to launch a business crime and investigations firm, while David Kavanagh KC retired in June 2024.

Stephenson Harwood‘s ‘excellent, collaborative team’ acts for governments and state-owned companies in high-stakes public international law matters. It is additionally well known for its financial sanctions credentials, as well as its Africa practice. The firm is also mandated for investment treaty and investor-state disputes. Kamal Shah is ‘a market leader for Africa and India-related work’; Rovine Chandrasekera works between London and Dubai; Richard Garcia is 'excellent’; Ben Sigler focuses on the financial and technology sectors; and Sue Millar is sanctions practice head. Charlotte Welsh and Isabelle Wenger are other key team members. Stephen Ashley left the firm in October 2023.

The 23-strong team in Steptoe UK LLP's London office routinely represents states and investors in a range of arbitrations. The group also acts for governments in cases before the WTO Appellate Body; and it is additionally experienced in state immunity laws, anti-corruption legislation, economic sanctions, and advising energy and mining companies on their international legal rights. Practice head Matthew Coleman is a well-known specialist in claims against African states; Christophe Bondy is a highly-rated investment treaty specialist; and Thomas Innes' track record includes International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea proceedings. Juliya Arbisman departed the firm in January 2024.

Experienced in investor-state arbitration, Stewarts Law LLP‘s ’public international law’s team comprises experienced and fantastic attorneys’. The nine-strong group features Sherina Petit, a November 2023 recruit from Norton Rose Fulbright, whose practice encompasses international commercial arbitration and investor-state arbitration; Alejandro Garcia, who leads the firm’s investor-state arbitration practice; and Africa and Middle East expert Daniel Wilmot, who acts in oil, gas and technology sector-related disputes. The department also includes Ilyas Bulut, who assists with complex disputes comprising international elements; commercial disputes lawyer Natalie Osafo; and Marco Piccolo, who focuses on investor-state arbitration.

With ‘unwavering dedication to providing the utmost in client service’, WilmerHale's public international law team routinely acts in matters involving territorial boundaries and territory-related sovereignty issues, including state-to-state, intra-state and investor-state disputes. The practice also covers sovereign immunity, foreign judgment enforcement, and freedom of speech and belief rights, along with treaty accessions, territorial boundaries, maritime delimitation, international criminal law, and human rights. Gary Born is 'the preeminent expert in international arbitration'; Steven Finizio is experienced in public international law and investment treaty issues; and Jonathan Lim advises international organisations and governments in Africa and Asia on public international law.

CMS' London group covers a range of public international law issues, including jurisdiction, immunity and enforcement matters. The team also comprises experts in expropriations, The Law of the Sea, treaty law, state responsibility, international institutional law, and obtaining evidence for use in overseas proceedings. The practice further encompasses sanctions and investor-state arbitrations. Karen Denny represents sovereign states and international organisations in public international law matters; Pieter Bekker leads the investment arbitration task force; and Sarah Vasani is ‘a standout practitioner’.

Lindeborg Counsellors at Law assists states, international organisations, FTSE 100 companies and politically-exposed persons with public international law issues and treaty-based arbitrations. The boutique practice additionally advises on international organisation-related laws, extraditions and sanctions. It also has notable experience in Interpol matters, which account for approximately 25% of the firm’s caseload. The team is led by Rutsel Silvestre Martha, a specialist in investor-state arbitration, Interpol matters, human rights, sanctions and asset protection; while Kit De Vriese's ‘legal drafting skills are amazing’.

Public international law and business and human rights firm Paxus LLP was established in June 2022 by former Allen & Overy partner Suzanne Spears. Representing sovereign states, private equity firms and commodity traders (among others), the practice’s public international law credentials include investor-state disputes, particularly those governed by investment treaties. Providing key support to business and human rights law specialist Spears, Merryl Lawry-White is a June 2024 hire from Debevoise & Plimpton LLP, whose experience comprises ICJ cases, investment treaty arbitrations and inter-state matters.

Specialising in high-stakes international disputes, Peters & Peters Solicitors LLP delivers ‘efficient and top-quality advice’. In addition to the practice’s expertise in UK sanctions (including challenges) and export controls, it has a significant track record in successfully challenging INTERPOL Red Notices. Anna Bradshaw advises individuals and corporations on financial crime and economic sanctions-related risks, as well as compliance and enforcement issues; business crime specialist Michael O’Kane is ‘an extremely effective advocate’; and Alistair Jones represents sanctioned parties in designation challenges.

Experienced in investor-state disputes, Reed Smith LLP's London office 'achieves phenomenal results in even the most difficult cases'. Lucy Winnington-Ingram is ‘a star performer in investment treaty arbitration’; and in February 2024, commercial and treaty international arbitration expert Juliya Arbisman, who divides her time between New York and London, was hired from Steptoe UK LLP. Belinda Paisley and Patrick Beale  recently retired from legal practice, while Suzie Savage and Chloe Carswell departed the firm in May 2024 and July 2023, respectively.

Squire Patton Boggs' ‘truly international public international law team’ regularly acts in high-stakes cases before the ICJ, the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS), the International Criminal Court, and the Kosovo Specialist Chambers. The practice was notably bolstered through the April 2023 recruitment of investor-state arbitration and public international law specialist Naomi Briercliffe from A&O Shearman. The London group also fields Timi Balogun, who represents African governments and state entities in investment treaty disputes.

The ‘small but very efficient team’ at boutique firm Vail Dispute Resolution specialises in the gamut of investor-state and commercial arbitration work. Founding partner Tomas Vail represents both states and investors in investment treaty arbitration proceedings under ICSID, SCC and UNCITRAL rules. Vail, who also acts in commercial arbitration proceedings under LCIA and ICC rules, is notably experienced in complex energy and infrastructure disputes between investors and states and state-owned entities.

White & Case LLP has longstanding experience in advising sovereign states and state-owned entities, as well as private and commercial parties, on public international law issues. Heading the firm’s global public international law practice, Andrea Menaker acts for respondent states and claimant investors in significant investment arbitration cases; and Agnieszka Zarówna is experienced in investment treaty and other public international law-related matters. Former co-head of the London investment arbitration practice, David Goldberg, departed the firm in March 2024.