Chadbourne Bolsters International Arbitration Team--Adds Two Prominent Practitioners

NEW YORK, Dec. 3, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The international law firm of Chadbourne & Parke announced today that it has expanded its international arbitration team with the addition of prominent lawyers Mark Beckett and Rachel Thorn as partners based in the firm's New York office.

These additions enhance and expand Chadbourne's capabilities in the resolution of international disputes and in the international disputes practice generally. 

Mr. Beckett and Ms. Thorn were previously partners at the New York and Paris offices of Latham & Watkins LLP. They join Chadbourne's highly regarded international arbitration team, a group that has been recognized as one of the "top 30 law firms" in the world by Global Arbitration Review.  The practice is also recognized by each of the global Chambers guides and the Legal 500 as one of the leading practices in the world. 

Mr. Beckett focuses his practice on the resolution of disputes relating to project construction, long term purchase agreements, complex commercial, acquisition and joint venture disputes, and those involving demand guarantees, corporate guarantees and state undertakings. His experience includes complex arbitrations under the major international rules (e.g., ICC, ICDR, LCIA, UNCITRAL, ICSID) and representation of a diverse range of clients, including those in the investment and finance, construction and project development, insurance, technology, power, consumer products and fashion industries.

Mr. Beckett is recognized as a leading practitioner in international arbitration by Chambers Global, is the U.S. Member on the ICC International Court of Arbitration, Chairman of the Arbitration Committee of the U.S. Council for International Business, the U.S. representative organization of the ICC, and is a Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, teaching International Commercial Arbitration.

Ms. Thorn specializes in international commercial arbitration, international litigation and public international law. She has particular expertise in disputes involving the energy and construction sectors – as well as joint ventures and long-term cooperation agreements, purchase price adjustment and other post acquisition disputes and investor-state disputes. In her many years working in the industry, Ms. Thorn has served as counsel and advocate in disputes involving multiple governing laws and has successfully represented clients in proceedings conducted under all major international arbitration laws. She has also represented numerous European, Asian and American companies in ICC arbitrations relating to a diverse range of industries, including energy, technology, communications and manufacturing.  Ms. Thorne's dual-law qualifications strengthen the firm's New York-London axis and its ability to handle major arbitrations, which increasingly involve the U.S. and U.K. as arbitral seats.

Ms. Thorn is recognized by Legal 500 for her leading position on the field of international law and received honorable mention in the Global Arbitration Review's 2011 survey of the 45 leading figures of the international arbitration bar under 45. She served as a Law Clerk for the Honorable Richard W. Goldberg, U.S. District Judge at the U.S. Court of International Trade.

"We are very fortunate to add such high caliber partners to our international arbitration practice," said Oliver J. Armas one of the leaders of the practice group. "Their significant experience across Europe, Asia and the Americas will complement and enhance our existing capabilities in emerging markets, and will help to support and reinforce our relationships in these regions."

"This represents the addition of front line talent to what has already become a strong practice offering for our clients, with an experienced and deep bench," added Chadbourne Managing Partner Andrew Giaccia. "We will continue to emphasize growth in this area in view of its synergies with our other key practices, including energy and infrastructure and our emerging markets profile."

Mr. Beckett and Ms. Thorn continue the expansion of the firm's core international arbitration practice. Some highlights in recent years include the return of the Dubai office led by Jack Greenwald, a prominent arbitrator with over 25 years of experience in the UAE; the additions of New York-based Oliver Armas and, in the firm's Mexico City office, Luis Enrique Graham, former Chair of the Mexican Bar Association; and Melanie Willems in London. 

About Chadbourne & Parke LLP
Chadbourne & Parke LLP, which is celebrating its 110 year anniversary, is an international law firm headquartered in New York City, providing a full range of legal services to a global clientele through its 12 U.S. and international offices.  Known for its work in emerging markets, the Firm has opened offices in Sao Paulo and Istanbul in the past two years.  Major geographical areas of concentration include Russia, Central and Eastern Europe, the Middle East, Latin America and Asia. The Firm has offices in New York, Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, Mexico City, Sao Paulo, London, Moscow, Warsaw, Kiev, Istanbul, Dubai and Beijing.  For additional information, visit www.chadbourne.com.

SOURCE Chadbourne & Parke LLP