Practices

International Arbitration

In Depth

Cooley’s leading international arbitration practice is built for the modern global economy. We represent innovative private and public companies, governments, and state-owned entities in complex domestic and international disputes. We advise clients of all sizes – from high-growth startups to Fortune 100 leaders – across industries, including life sciences, technology, telecommunications, energy, natural resources, manufacturing and construction.

How does Cooley support clients in international arbitration disputes?

  • Commercial arbitration: Acting as counsel in proceedings under major institutional rules and ad hoc frameworks, ensuring efficient resolution of cross-border disputes.
  • Investor-state and treaty claims: Advising and representing investors in claims against sovereign states under the frameworks of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) and United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL).
  • Award enforcement: Coordinating enforcement, confirmation and vacatur of arbitral awards in the US and foreign jurisdictions.
  • Funding and coverage: Guiding clients through third-party funding arrangements and insurance coverage disputes to optimize risk management.

Our team is experienced in every form of dispute resolution, including international and investment arbitration, mediation, and ancillary court procedures. We craft strategies that align with business objectives – whether through early settlement, arbitral awards or court judgments – while developing a thorough understanding of each client’s commercial priorities.

As a global leader in international arbitration, Cooley frequently partners with a trusted network of local counsel worldwide to deliver seamless, cross-border representation for innovation-driven companies.

Representative matters include:

  • Representing an investor in arbitration against Mexico brought under the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) Chapter 11 involving an offshore concession (UNCITRAL)
  • Representing a market-leading technology company in disputes involving an advertising platform (International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) rules) 
  • Representing a technology company in disputes involving a cloud platform (ICDR rules)
  • Representing a leading advertising company involving an IT outsourcing contract (ICC rules)
  • Representing a lidar technology company in a dispute involving patent infringement of core technology (JAMS)
  • Representing a pharmaceutical company in a patent and licensing dispute (ICDR rules)
  • Representing a global energy company in a gas supply dispute in the Middle East (ICSID)
  • Serving as counsel in arbitration relating to title to and value of various oil and gas fields in the Middle East (UNCITRAL)
  • Acting for a global chemicals company in ICC arbitrations and in an ad hoc arbitration involving breaches of joint venture agreements and trade secrets (ICC rules)
  • Representing a construction joint venture against an African state-owned entity (ICC rules)
  • Acting for a pharmaceutical manufacturer related to its dispute with a European corporation concerning a drug trial (ICC rules)
  • Serving as lead trial counsel for a pharmaceutical company in a dispute related to stock and invention ownership (ICC rules)
  • Representing a global steel producer in a dispute arising from the termination of a long-term supply agreement (ICC rules)
  • Acting for a UK Financial Times Stock Exchange (FTSE) 100 company in two international arbitrations (London Court of International Arbitration and ICC) concerning the supply of components for air and naval defense systems
  • Defending an ICC arbitration claim for $3.5 billion against an African state, arising from the termination of a concession agreement to rehabilitate and operate an industrial complex
  • Representing a privately held Mexican company providing secure mobile wallet services in an ICDR arbitration against a Singapore consulting company for breach of contract to develop its mobile wallet platform
  • Representing an international semiconductor manufacturer in an ICDR arbitration concerning a license dispute with an Asian mobile communications company regarding royalties
  • Defending an FTSE 100 company in an ICC arbitration against a $180 million claim brought in relation to licensing rights in the Middle East
  • Representing one of the largest privately held spirits manufacturers and importers in the US in an arbitration under ICDR rules against a prominent Mexican tequila manufacturer

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