International law firm Dechert LLP announced today that Alvaro Galindo has joined the firm as International Counsel. Galindo, who is admitted to practice in Ecuador, advises on complex international arbitration matters, particularly those involving South American jurisdictions. He focuses his representation on sovereign states.

“Our team has worked for several years with Alvaro and we all know how talented he is as a lawyer,” said Dechert partner Eduardo Silva Romero. “Alvaro’s arrival will be of great benefit to our Latin American clients and is a big key for the development of our international arbitration practice in Latin America.”

Prior to joining Dechert, Galindo served as the Director of the International Affairs and Arbitration Unit for the Republic of Ecuador’s Attorney General Office, where he oversaw more than a dozen investment treaty arbitrations brought against Ecuador by foreign investors. He also previously acted as a legal consultant for the World Bank Group’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) in Washington, D.C. and the Latin American Development Corporation, where he coordinated the legal group in charge of drafting the Arbitration Law of Ecuador.

“Being part of one of the most successful international arbitration practice groups in the world is a very important step in my legal career. I will focus all of my efforts on providing the best service to our clients and to expanding the practice of our group in the Americas,” said Galindo, who will work from the firm’s Washington, D.C. office.

Anne Marie Whitesell, former Secretary General of the ICC International Court of Arbitration and currently Of Counsel at Dechert, stated: “Many of our clients require the presence of experienced counsel in Washington. Alvaro will be a key player for our international team, contributing his knowledge and extensive legal skills to our growing practice in this office.”

Galindo has represented Ecuador in different international and regional forums, including the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development, UNCTAD; the Union of South American Nations Working Group on Dispute Settlement, UNASUR; and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law Working Group on Arbitration, UNCITRAL.

He currently is a member of the Drafting Committee for the Revision of the Optional Rules for Arbitration of the Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague (the PCA).

The Attorney General of the Republic of Ecuador, Diego García, noted in a statement regarding Galindo’s departure: “I invited him to lead the International Affairs and Arbitration Unit during a critical period for the Republic. At that point, we had a dozen investment treaty arbitrations running, with a good number of provisional measures being requested against the State. Alvaro’s experience and knowledge of the ICSID system was invaluable in assisting me and my Office in our representation of the State. During Alvaro's tenure, his advice was always intellectually on point and reliable. While I regret his departure, I am glad he joined a law firm that works very closely with the Republic and my Office.”

About Dechert LLP

With 22 offices throughout the United States, Europe and Asia, Dechert LLP is an international law firm focused on complex litigation and international arbitration, corporate and securities, life sciences, business restructuring and reorganization, financial services and asset management, intellectual property, labor and employment, real estate finance and tax law.

Dechert’s multilingual international arbitration team has the global resources and experience to handle the largest, most complex disputes confronting businesses and governments throughout the world, with detailed knowledge of arbitration institutions, applicable rules, regulations and practices.

Read this News Release in Spanish (PDF).