ICC YAAF: Energy Disputes & Award Enforcement: Spotlight on Latin America

14:00 – 14:15

Registration

14:15 – 14:25

Welcome Remarks

14:25 – 15:25

Doing Business in Latin America: Energy Disputes of Today and Tomorrow

The global push to develop renewable and clean energy sources continues apace. This trend has recently accelerated in Latin America, which is a resource-rich region that has traditionally hosted investors to engage in oil and gas energy production and also harbors minerals such as lithium and copper that are essential to “clean” energy technologies. Various forms of energy production are at play across Latin America, including

• solar and wind production in Brazil, Mexico, Chile, and Argentina
• hydropower production in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, and Paraguay
• lithium and copper production in Chile and Peru
• traditional oil and gas production in Brazil, Mexico, Venezuela, and Guyana 

As the flow of capital evolves, so do the disputes. This panel will examine the legal implications for U.S. businesses as Latin American countries orient their law and policy away from traditional energy sources towards renewables and clean sources. In particular, panelists will reflect on the example of European countries which have recently experience with arbitration cases resulting from their energy transitions. Finally, panelists will look at the potential for similar trends in Latin America. 

Moderator:

• Luis Sotelo, Special Legal Consultant, Gateway Litigation, PLLC, Washington, D.C. 

Speakers:

• Enrique Jaramillo, Counsel, Curtis, Houston 
• Sophia Sepulveda Harms, International Disputes Associate, King & Spalding, Houston 
• María Carolina Durán, Special Counsel, Baker Botts, LLP, Washington, D.C.

15:25 – 15:45

Coffee Break

15:45 – 16:45

Who, What, and Where: Enforcement Involving Latin American Arbitration Awards

Once the arbitration is done, be it in cases involving Latin America’s energy transition or other recent big-ticket energy cases, the issue of enforcement takes center stage. This panel will examine some of the issues particular to enforcement of arbitral awards in Latin America, the U.S.A., and beyond. Panelists will discuss the potential parties to disputes, venues to utilize, assets to seek, and tools parties may utilize to enforce awards involving Latin American parties in Latin America, the U.S.A, and other jurisdictions.

Moderator:

• Molly Wells, Partner, Fishman Haygood LLP, New Orleans 

Speakers:

• Daniela Paez, Senior Associate, Herbert Smith Freehills, New York 
• Enrique J. Molina, Investment Manager & Legal Counsel, Omni Bridgeway, Miami
• Carlos Osorio, Partner, Osorio International, Miami