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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:
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
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
International Litigation
At Vinson & Elkins, we bring decades of knowledge, skill, and experience to our clients’ most complex legal matters.
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