International and Insolvency Litigation

A stand-out firm for international litigation

It takes a special kind of law firm to succeed in international litigation: globally-integrated, experienced, at ease with complexity, resourceful, and relentless in its commitment to achieve the client’s goals. In other words, it takes Dechert.

Our international litigators are known for their deep experience, creativity, excellence and success – particularly in handling matters involving simultaneous litigation in multiple countries. We represent governments, multinational corporations, creditors of sovereign states and multinational corporates, investment funds and other financial institutions in their most difficult international matters. And we do so not only in court, but also before administrative tribunals, regulatory agencies and alternative dispute resolution bodies.

Hedge fund manager Elliott Management and its affiliate NML Capital in efforts to recover US$2.7 billion in claims and judgments against the Republic of Argentina. The case, which spanned more than 30 separate proceedings in 11 countries over a period of 13 years, was marked by a number of firsts, as Dechert lawyers achieved groundbreaking victories in the U.S. and the UK and first-ever rulings in Belgium and Switzerland. We ultimately prevailed for the client in 2016, when Argentina agreed to a stunning US$4.6 billion settlement with NML and its co-plaintiff.
The Ad Hoc Group of Creditors of Mexican glass manufacturer Vitro S.A.B. de C.V. and its global subsidiaries in litigation and related bankruptcy proceedings in the United States, Mexico and elsewhere. Often called “the case that saved the emerging markets,” this precedent-setting dispute marked the first time the U.S. courts refused to enforce a foreign plan of reorganization. Dechert was counsel to the Noteholders in connection with Vitro’s concurso filing in Mexico; proceedings in federal bankruptcy court in Texas; and related litigation in the courts of New York, Michigan and Texas.
Theravectys, a licensee and spinoff of Institut Pasteur that developed a new generation of vaccines based on the lentiviral vector technology, in legal proceedings in Belgium, France and the U.S.
An affiliate of the hedge fund Contrarian Capital in judgment enforcement proceedings in the U.S., Hong Kong and Singapore; and in challenging a scheme of arrangement by the Indonesian Asia Pulp & Paper Group before the English High Court. We obtained a landmark decision from the English High Court blocking the scheme of arrangement and clarifying the limits for the use of this type of creditor cramdown in the future, particularly by non-UK companies.
Eferton DMCCM, a multinational investment company based in Dubai, in proceedings in London, Hong Kong and the U.S., to recover substantial sums following frauds perpetrated through metal trading and financing contracts. The claims are against two Hong Kong based companies, a PRC national who is their controlling mind and parties in the US and China. In Hong Kong, we successfully assisted our client in investigating the fraud, freezing assets in support of London arbitration proceedings and filing a complaint with governmental authorities in Hong Kong – leading to investigations by the Commercial Crime Bureau of the Hong Kong police, the Federal Bureau of Investigations in the U.S. and the Public Security Bureau in the PRC. Dechert also brought successful arbitration proceedings in London which proceeded rapidly to full hearings, and currently assists the client with enforcement proceedings in Hong Kong.
Marco Lacchini, an Italian national and arbitrator, in a case alleging that he agreed to accept compensation to provide favorable results in two arbitrations for which he was the head of the arbitral panels. The matter involved two arbitrations seated in Italy, as well as litigation in the UK and U.S. courts.