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Ignacio Torterola

Member

In his 25 years as a transnational attorney, Ignacio Torterola has served as lead counsel, sole arbitrator, chairman, and tribunal member in over 100 high-stakes international arbitrations. He is a top-ranked attorney and has been named a “Leading Arbitration Practitioner” in Latin America and worldwide by Chambers Latin America, Chambers Global, and Legal 500 consecutively since 2015. Since 2022 WWL has recognized him as Global Leader in International Arbitration for the Washington, DC area. Ignacio serves as head of the International Arbitration practice.

Ignacio has extensive experience in complex international law matters under the Rules of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), ICSID’s Additional Facility, and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL). His practice focuses on international litigation and commercial and investment and commercial arbitration, specializing in water & sanitation contracts, oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure, banking, and financial services disputes.

Ignacio has represented global companies, governments, and private client parties in Latin America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean. Most notably, he acted on behalf of the Government of Pakistan in one of the largest ICSID and ICC cases. He also successfully defended Pakistan in the Annulment Proceedings and Revision Proceedings leading to the zero settlement of a USD 1.2 billion investment dispute. He successfully represented an oil company in a dispute involving an off-shore drilling contract and obtained victories for a state actor in two successive international disputes, obtaining an order from the tribunal to disclose a funding agreement and an order for security for costs in favor of his client. Ignacio was also the leading lawyer in a dispute that led to the destruction of more than 10 billion dollars of fake bonds allegedly issued by a Latin American country. He negotiated on behalf of Argentina in the 2010 Arbitration Rules, the ICC’s Rules for Disputes involving States and state entities, and represented Argentina before the WTO, UNCTAD investment committee, and the OECD. Ignacio is also a member of the ICC’s Latin American group and, since 2018, has been advising sovereign States in the negotiations before the UNCITRAL Working Group III (investment arbitration).

Ignacio is a frequent public speaker who lectures on international law matters at conferences, congresses, and law schools, including Columbia University, Queen Mary University of London, New York University, American University, and Georgetown Law School, among others. He also writes and teaches extensively on international law and arbitration and has published one of the leading commentaries on the 2010 UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. Ignacio is fluent in English, Spanish, and Italian and has a working knowledge of Portuguese.

Ignacio Torterola has been recognized as “Leading Arbitration Practitioner“ by Chambers Latin America and Chambers Global, as well as Legal 500. Since 2022, WWL has recognized him as a Global Leader in international arbitration in the Washington, DC area.

*Licensed to practice law in Argentina. Practice is limited to international arbitration matters.

 

Education

Diploma, World Trade Organization Institute
LL.M., Cornell University, Ithaca, New York
Master, Instituto del Servicio Exterior de la Nación (ISEN) Argentina
LL.M., Università di Pisa
Master, Universidad Nacional del Litoral

Recognitions

Chambers Latin America Rankings – International Arbitration – Latin America (2017 – 2019)

Recognized by Legal 500 Latin America: International firms in the area of International Arbitration and Litigation

Memberships

  • Founding Member and Co-Director, International Arbitration Case Law (IACL) (2010 – current)
  • Advisor to the Government of Pakistan before the UNCITRAL Working Group III (2018-2022)
  • Advisor to the Government of the Dominican Republic before the UNCITRAL Working Group III (2022- Current)
  • Member, Special Drafting Committee of the ICC Task Force for Arbitrations Involving States and State Entities (2009-current)
  • Member, ICC Latin – American Arbitration (2009-current)
  • Argentine Delegate before UNCITRAL Working Group II (Arbitration)
  • Argentine Delegate before the OCDE Investment
  • Member, UNCTAD Expert Group in Investment State Dispute (Geneva, Switzerland)
  • Member, Initiative on International Investment Law & the Fight Against Corruption (Columbia University) (2008)
  • Member, Washington & Lee Expert Group in Investment State Disputes (Virginia, USA), (2008)
  • Member, Roster of Arbitrators, Centro de Arbitraje de la Universidad Católica (Lima, Perú) (2012-current)
  • Member, Roster of Arbitrators, Cámara de Comercio de Quito (Ecuador) (2016-current)
  • Member, Roster of Arbitrators, Cámara de Comercio de Lima (Perú), (2016-current)
  • Member, Roster of Arbitrators, AmCham Lima (Perú) (2012-current)
  • Co-Director, Universidad de Buenos Aires – Cornell University Joint Program on International Commercial Arbitration (2009 to present)
  • ALARB
  • IBA

Languages

English, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian

State Bar Licenses

Argentina

Publications

  • Author, Nuevo Reglamento De Arbitaje De La Cnudmi (Book), Anotado Y Comentado, Edit. Legis, (2011).
  • Director, International Arbitration Case Law, Queen Mary University of London, School of International Arbitration, (2010 – 2024 )
  • Author, The 2022 ICSID Arbitration Rules. Modernizing International Investment Disputes Resolution. ICSID Review – Foreign Investment Law Journal, 2023 – 43 – 1. Oxford University Press, 2024.
  • Author, Opening the Umbrella: How the Argentine Economic Crisis Shaped the Modern Umbrella Clause. In Arbitration in Argentina. Wolters Kluwer, (2020).
  • Author, Investment Treaty Arbitration in the Guide to Infrastructure and Energy Investment. Latin Lawyer Insight, (2018).
  • Editor, TDM Latin America Special. Transnational Dispute Management (2016).
  • Author, The New ICC Arbitration Rules In Cases Involving States and State Entities. Center for America and International Law (2012).
  • Author, “Lawyers and Arbitators´ Conflicts OF Intrest: A State Lawyer Perspective,” in the Paris Journal of International Arbitration. (2011).
  • Author, “Argentina” Chapter In Latin America Investment Protections, Directed by Omar García, Hernando Otero & Jonathan Hamilton, Martinus Nijhoff, 2012.
  • Author, Multi-tiered Investment Arbitration Clauses In Tratado De Derecho Arbitral,” Tomo I. Instituto Peruano del Arbitraje – Universidad Javeriana de Colombia, (2011).
  • Author, The Transparency Requirement In The New Uncitral Arbitration Rules: A Premonitory Veiw, International Treaty News, Issue 1, Volume 1 (2010).
  • Author, Los Institutos De La Emergencia En El Derecho Internacional Y El Estado Argentiono, Revista Internacional del Arbitraje, Legis, Bogotá, Colombia, (2010).
  • Author, Notes on The Stay of Enforcement In ICSID Arbitration, TransnationalDispute Management (2009).
  • Author, To Risk or Not To Risk? The State’s Perspective of Investor-State Dispute Resolution at The 20th Anniversary of ICSID,” Georgetown Journal of Law and Risk Management (2009).
  • Author, La Saga Continua:  Comentario A Las Decisiones Arbitrales En Los Casos Continental Republica Argentina Y TSA C. Republica Argentina,” Revista Arbitral Punto Medio, Lima, Perú, (2008).
  • Author, Book review Garcia Rubio’s On The Application Of Customary Rules Of State Responsibility By WTO Dispute Resolution Organs. Revista del Servicio Exterior (2004).
  • Author, Joint Ventures Contractuales Y Societarias.  Revista Del Derecho Comercial Y De Las Obligaciones. Depalma (1997).
  • Author, Camaras Arbitrales De Cereales. Revista del Derecho Agrario Argentino (1996).

Speaking Engagements (Abstract)

  • Speaker, Columbia University, Columbia Center for Sustainable Training for State Officials. (2015-current).
  • Speaker AmCham Peru. Arbitration and Company Organization. Lima, Peru (2012-
  • Faculty, ARBANZA Training Course in Investment Arbitration. Lima, Peru (2020 – current).
  • Faculty, AMCHAM Peru Training Course in Investment Arbitration. Lima, Peru (2020 – current).
  • Speaker, AILA Training, Accra – Ghana (2018).
  • Speaker, APEC-ICSID on ISDS Prevention and Management, Washington, DC (2017).
  • Speaker, MIAS-JAM – The Future of International Arbitration, Miami (2017).
  • Speaker, Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) CAM/CCBS on Investment Arbitrations involving State Owned Companies, Sao Pablo (2017).
  • Speaker, Colegio de Abogados de México. Arbitration and the Public Administration in Latin America. (2015).
  • Speaker, Cámara de Comercio de Conference 50 Years of the ICSID Convention. (2015). Pontificia Universidad Católica de Perú.
  • Speaker, III Seminario sobre Administración Pública, Procuraduría General del Estado, Ecuador (2015)
  • Speaker, Cámara de Ingenieros de Trujillo, Centro de Licenciatura en Arbitraje Comercial y de Inversiones. (2015).
  • Speaker, Queen Mary University of London, School of International Seminar on Mass Claims in International Arbitration. (2015).
  • Speaker, AmCham Peru – Licenciatura en Arbitraje Comercial y de Lima (2015).
  • Speaker, American Bar Association (ABA), Fall Buenos Aires (2014).
  • Speaker, Coimbra Annual Portuguese Arbitration Meeting, Coimbra (2014).
  • Speaker, ICC – Conferencia de Arbitraje en Santa Cruz de la Sierra, Bolivia (2014).
  • Speaker, Ethical Standards in International ILDEA, Miami, (2014).
  • Speaker, Instituto Ecuatoriano del Arbitraje, Quito (2014).
  • Speaker, Georgetown Law School Arbitration Day, Washington-DC (2014).
  • Speaker, Harvard Law School, A Critical Outlook on the International Investment Boston (2014).
  • Speaker, American – Peruvian Chamber of Commerce – Universidad del Pacífico, Lima(2014).
  • Speaker, 85ª Anniversary Procuraduría General del Estado del Ecuador, Quito (2013).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD and OAS training course for Latin American defense teams, San Jose Costa Rica (2013).
  • Speaker, Centro de Arbitraje de la Cámara de Comercio de Lima (2013).
  • Speaker, Training Session at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Philippines, Manila (2013).
  • Speaker, ASEAN Training for State Officials in Investor State Arbitration, Bangkok (2013).
  • Speaker, V Conferencia Latinoamericana de Arbitraje, Buenos Aires, (2013).
  • Speaker, Ethical Issues in Arbitration, American University, Washington – DC (2012).
  • 15 Years of Investment Arbitration, The Good, The Bad and the Ugly. ICC Annual Meeting, Miami (2012).
  • Speaker, X International Arbitration Congress, Comite Brasileiro da Arbitragem, Brasilia (2011).
  • Speaker, The New ICC Arbitration Rules – Outcomes of the Work of the ICC Special Drafting Committee for ICC Arbitration Rules in Arbitrations Involving States and States Entities, Cartagena, Colombia (2011).
  • Moderator and Host, UNCTAD/Embassy of Argentina, Fireplace Conversations, Washington, DC (2011)
  • Speaker, New York University School of Law (NYU), Trends in Latin-American Arbitration, Office of Graduate Affairs for LLM and Exchange Students, International Business Regulation, Litigation and Arbitration Specialization Committee, New York (2011).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/OAS/IADB Training Course, Bogotá, Colombia, (2010).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/University of Miami Law School, Training Course for Latin American Government Officials, Miami (2010).
  • Speaker, Seminario: Arbitraje de Inversión Estatal en América Latina: Temas Recientes y Perspectivas a Futuro, IBA – ICC Mexico, (2010).
  • Speaker, Segundo Programa Conjunto en Arbitraje Internacional entre Cornell University, Instituto Latinoamericano de Arbitraje y la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina (2010).
  • Speaker, Conference on Negotiation and Dispute Resolution, Washington & Lee University Expert Group in Investment State Disputes, Virginia (2010).
  • Speaker, Investment Arbitration vis á vis International Commercial Arbitration, 7° ICC Latin–American Conference, Miami (2009).
  • Speaker, El Arbitraje con el Sector Público, Una Perspectiva Contemporánea, Guayaquil, Ecuador, organized by the Cámara de Comercio de Guayaquil y la Procuradoría del Estado de Ecuador, Quito (2009).
  • Speaker, Washington-DC Bar Roundtable on Investment Arbitration in Latin– America, Washington, DC (2009).
  • Speaker, Georgetown University/MIGA/World Bank Conference at the MIGA 25th Anniversary, December, (2008).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/OAS/IADB Training Course, San José de Costa Rica (2008).
  • Speaker, Primer Programa Conjunto en Arbitraje Internacional entre Cornell University, Instituto Latinoamericano de Arbitraje y la Universidad de Buenos Aires, Argentina, (2008).
  • Speaker, Fundación Andrés Bello, Conferencia sobre Arbitraje Internacional, Panamá (2008).
  • Speaker, Universidad Católica del Perú, III Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje, (2008).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/Ministry F. Relations Ukraine, Advance Training Course on Managing Investment Disputes, Kiev, Ukraine, (2008).
  • Speaker, Cornell University, Seminar on International Commercial Arbitration “Trends in Latin-America,” (2008).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/OAS/Ministry F. Relations Peru, Advance Training Course on Managing Investment Disputes, Lima, Perú, (2008).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/OAS/ Ministry Relations Ecuador, Advance Training Course on Managing Investment Disputes, Quito, Ecuador, (2008).
  • Speaker, Georgetown University, Washington DC. Current Trends in Investor State Arbitration in Latin America (2008).
  • Speaker, American Bar Association, Annual Meeting, Committee on International Commercial Arbitration, New York (2008).
  • Speaker, UNCTAD/ALADI/OAS,  Advance Training  Course on Managing Investment Disputes, Montevideo, Uruguay (2007).
  • Speaker, Asociación Andrés Bello, Cuarto Congreso Internacional de Arbitraje Comercial, Los 42 Casos de la República Argentina, Paris (2007).

Representative Cases As Arbitrator

  • ICSID Case ARB/05/22 Samsum Wu v. the Republic of Panama. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the parties.
  • Case PUCP 2865-237-20. Autoridad de Transporte para Lima y Callao v. Consorcio Tren Eléctrico. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the parties.
  • ICC Case 28431/AJP. Consorcio Natividad de Chinchero c. Ministerio de Transporte y Comunicaciones de la República del Perú. Party Appointed Arbitrator by the Defendant.
  • Case CCL 0604-2020. ERCED S.A.C. v. Castillo Echegaray and Others. Party Appointed Arbitrator by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Case PUCP 2865-237-20. Obrainsa v. Provias Nacional. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Case PUCP 2805-177-20. Obrainsa v. Provias Nacional. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Case PUCP 2418-280-19. Constructora San José v. Provias Nacional. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Case PUCP 2418-280-19. Constructora San José v. Provias Nacional. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Case PUCP 2196-158-19. Consorcio Vial Ambo v. Provias Nacional. Arbitrator appointed by Claimant.
  • Case CCL 0087/2018. Multiparty Arbitration Energía Integral Andina SA v. Infraestructuras y Energías del Perú SAC and Ashmore Funds (Ashmore Energy Peru, Ashmore Andean II FCP and Ashmore Andino II LP). Sole Arbitrator appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Ad Hoc Arbitration “Case Concesionaria Chavimochic v. Departamento de La Libertad”. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by Agreement of the Parties.
  • Ad Hoc Arbitration Case Mota Engil Servicio Industriales de la Marina del Perú. Arbitrator Appointed by Claimants.
  • ICC Case 24071/JPA between two Brazilian companies. President of Arbitral Tribunal, appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • ICC Case 24205/JPA. Between two Spanish companies. President of the Arbitral Tribunal appointed by the Arbitral Institution.
  • Arbitration Case ICC 21843/RD/MK. Arbitrator appointed by Claimants. (CISG Dispute).

Representative Cases As Counsel

  • China Road and Bridge Corporation v. Empresa Pública Metropolitana de Movilidad y Obras Públicas (Gobierno del Ecuador). UNCITRAL Case No. UNC- (Lead Counsel).
  • Mata et. Al. v. Azpurúa et. CCI Case No. 27570 (Lead Counsel).
  • Consorcio CITT y Otros (México) v. Sociedad Puerto Bahía (Colombia), ICC Case No. 22101, (Lead Counsel).
  • Webuild S.p.A. v. the Dominican Republic, PCA Case No. 2020-50, (Lead Counsel).
  • TECO v. the Republic of Guatemala. Annulment Proceedings. ICSID Case No. ARB/10/23), (Lead Counsel).
  • Daniel Kappes and Cassiday Associates v. the Republic of Guatemala (ICSID Case ARB 18/43), (Lead Counsel).
  • Tethyan Copper Company Pty Ltd. v. the Republic of Pakistan, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID Case ARB/12/1), (Lead Counsel).
  • Tethyan Copper Company Pty Ltd. v. the Republic of Pakistan, (ICSID Case ARB/12/1), (Lead Counsel).
  • Karkey v. the Republic of Pakistan, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID Case ARB/13/1), (Lead Counsel).
  • Karkey v. the Republic of Pakistan, Revision Proceedings (ICSID Case ARB/13/1), (Lead Counsel).
  • Manuel Garcia Armas, et al. v. Republico of Venezuela, (PCA Case 2016-08), (Lead Counsel).
  • Luis Garcia Armas, et al. v. Republic of Venezuela, (ICSID Case ARB(AF)/16/01 (Lead Counsel).
  • Tenaris S.A., et al. v. Republic of Venezuela, (ICSID Case ARB/11/26).
  • Tenaris S.A., et al. v. Republic of Venezuela, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID Case ARB/11/26), (Lead Counsel).
  • Tenaris S.A., et al. v. Republic of Venezuela (Tenaris II), Annulment Proceedings. (ICSID Case ARB/12/23), (Lead Counsel).

Cases Representing Argentina

  • Aguas del Aconquija and Vivendi the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB 97/3).
  • Aguas del Aconquija and Vivendi the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB 97/3) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • CMS the Argentine Republic, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID/ARB 01/1).
  • CMS the Argentine Republic, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID/ARB 01/1) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Azurix the Argentine Republic, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID/ARB/01/12)
  • Azurix the Argentine Republic, Annulment Proceedings (ICSID/ARB/01/12) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Continental Casualty v. the Argentine Republic, (ICSID/ARB/03/9).
  • Continental Casualty v. the Argentine Republic, (ICSID/ARB/03/9) – Annulment Proceedings (ICSID/ARB 03/9).
  • BG Group the Argentine Republic (UNCITRAL Case).
  • Azurix (Mendoza) the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/30).
  • Azurix (Mendoza) the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/30). – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Aguas de Santa Fe SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/17).
  • Aguas de Santa Fe SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/17) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Aguas de Córdoba SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/18),
  • Aguas Argentinas SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/19),
  • Aguas Argentinas SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/19), Annulment Proceedings.
  • Anglian Waters the Argentine Republic (UNCITRAL Case).
  • Metalpar the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/5).
  • AES Corporation the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/02/17).
  • Pioneer Natural Resources the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/12).
  • National Grid the Argentine Republic (UNCITRAL Case).
  • DaimlerChrysler Services AG República Argentina (CIADI/ARB/05/1).
  • EL PASO Energy International República Argentina (CIADI/ARB/03/15)
  • EL PASO Energy International República Argentina (CIADI/ARB/03/15) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Wintershall AG the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/14/4).
  • Siemens AG The Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/08/2).
  • Siemens AG The Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/08/2) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Siemens AG The Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/08/2) – Revision Proceedings.
  • Total the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/04/1).
  • Total the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/04/1) – Annulment Proceedings.
  • Giovanna Beccara et v. the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/07/5).
  • TSA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/05/5).
  • Pan American Energy International v. the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/13).
  • Telefónica SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/20).
  • Enersis SA the Argentine Republic (ICSID/ARB/03/21).
  • Unysis Corporation the Argentine Republic, (ICSID/ARB/03/27).

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