Articles
The Coming Wave of Disputes in Data Centre and AI Infrastructure
The global data centre sector is in the midst of the largest infrastructure build-out of the modern era. The Goldman …
May 29, 2026
May 29, 2026 • 14-minute read
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International Litigation
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Where We Excel
Complex, high-stakes international lawsuits are familiar territory for Vinson & Elkins. We know the jurisdictional and procedural principles unique to international litigation, and are used to directly representing clients in U.S., English, and Dubai International Financial Centre courts, as well as supervising and coordinating the work of local counsel in courts around the globe. We pride ourselves in providing seamless cross-border litigation solutions while focusing on achieving our client’s ultimate goals, rather than simply taking the next step in proceedings.
V&E’s experience includes:
- Litigating complex, cross-border commercial disputes through to judgment and appellate stages;
- Establishing jurisdiction in the U.S. federal courts;
- Establishing or defeating personal jurisdiction over non-U.S. corporations in the U.S. courts;
- Obtaining or resisting discovery (in the U.S.) with respect to non-U.S. companies, and the use of §1782 actions to obtain discovery to support non-U.S. litigations and arbitrations
- Enforcing contractual forum selection clauses and obtaining dismissals based on forum non conveniens;
- Applying the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act/State Immunity Act in litigation involving other nations or their state-owned companies;
- Securing stays of litigation based on international arbitration agreements;
- Enforcing arbitration awards and judgments in courts in the U.S., the UK, and the DIFC, and supervising enforcement proceedings in other countries; and
- Advising companies in complex, multiparty projects concerning the formation of arbitration agreements to bring all interested parties into a single proceeding.
In addition to prosecuting and defending claims for our clients once disputes arise, V&E’s Disputes team also assists with strategic counselling. In particular, we advise non-U.S. companies regarding how to structure their affairs to reduce the risk of U.S. litigation and advise companies as to how to build effective dispute resolution strategies that will lead not just to a favorable judgment, but an enforceable one. In addition to appearing in court directly, our coordination of international litigation work spans the globe. Relevant nations have included Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Brazil, Brunei, Canada, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Denmark, France, Germany, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mexico, Netherlands, Nigeria, Panama, Peru, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Sweden, Syria, Turkey, the United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela
Experience
Represented a Middle East commodities exchange in DIFC Court proceedings relating to the termination of a member’s interest on the exchange
(5th Cir.); (W.D. Tex.) — Obtained mandamus relief representing a tire manufacturer in Multi-District Litigation (MDL); the MDL court, located in Indiana, denied motions to dismiss for forum non conveniens and remanded six cases to the federal court in Austin for trial; when the trial court in Texas refused to reconsider the MDL court’s forum non conveniens ruling, mandamus relief was sought and granted; the appellate court’s opinion was significant with respect to forum non conveniens issues and the treatment by one circuit of the cases that are transferred from an MDL court located in a different circuit
Representing a private equity fund in relation to breaches of confidentially in proceedings before the DIFC court
Supervising the defense of a major Scandinavian oil and gas company in the Lagos High Court against claims brought by an alleged agent
(S.D. Tex.) — Obtained an order on behalf of a Middle Eastern state authorizing proceedings in federal court in Houston against a subsidiary province pursuant to the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA)
Represented the claimant parties in English High Court proceedings concerning the sale of hydrocarbon products into Guatemala
Defending two Brunei corporations in a claim before the English High Court relating to interests in hydrocarbon fields; this matter included a successful application (on behalf of our clients) under Section 9 of the Arbitration Act
(S.D. Tex.) — Obtained dismissal of our client, Plains Marketing L.P., from several suits brought by Pemex Exploracion y Produccion (“Pemex”) seeking to recover $300 million in damages related to gas condensate allegedly stolen from gas fields in Northern Mexico and smuggled into Texas; the district court issued a series of rulings which ultimately resulted in a complete dismissal of all claims against Plains Marketing
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At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.
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Insights
Articles
Bit Barns and the Battle for the Grid
Published by Construction Law, March 2026 As demand for data centres accelerates across Europe, developers are running headlong into an …
March 5, 2026
March 5, 2026 • 1-minute read
Articles
Innovation Governance: 5 Strategies to Mitigate Intellectual Property Risks
Innovative companies stand out from their competitors, attracting talent and investment, boosting revenue and margins, earning new customers and deep …
February 2, 2026
February 2, 2026 • 2-minute read
Articles
Nuclear Power Plants: Mitigating Risk of Claims and Delay
While nuclear energy is currently being championed for its low-carbon electricity generation and energy security, the construction of facilities to provide such energy is no easy feat. From regulatory hurdles to technical complexities, navigating the construction phase of nuclear power plants demands careful consideration and proactive risk management. The average nuclear power plant (“NPP”) has a construction cost overrun of 102.5% and projects that commenced construction between 2010 and 2020 were delivered an average of three years late.
October 28, 2025 • Published by Energy Intelligence, December 2025
October 28, 2025 • 6-minute read
Client Alerts
A(nother) Turning Point for Intra-EU ECT Disputes?
Two ICSID tribunals have recently upheld Spain’s intra-European Union (EU) jurisdictional objections in two arbitrations pursuant to the Energy Charter Treaty (“ECT”).
October 29, 2024 • V&E International Dispute Resolution Update
October 29, 2024 • 2-minute read
Client Alerts
A New Era in Saudi Law: The Introduction of the Civil Code
The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has embarked on a significant legal reform with the introduction of its first Civil Transactions Law (the “Civil Code”), which took effect on December 16, 2023.
April 2, 2024 • V&E International Dispute Resolution Update Published by Law Middle East
April 2, 2024 • 1-minute read
Client Alerts
Mind Matters: Louise Woods on Mental Health, Neurodiversity, Support, and Motherhood
Join Victoria Pernt, host of myarbitration, as she sits down with Louise Woods, Partner at Vinson & Elkins and President …
March 6, 2024 • Published by myarbitration
March 6, 2024 • 1-minute read
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