Event 14 Oct. 2022
Curtis Provides Capacity Training to the Government of Uganda
more
Event 21 Sep. 2022
Kalidou Gadio Speaks at AIEN 2022 International Energy Summit
News 15 May. 2023
Curtis represents e-commerce retailer in its fight to recover monies withheld by PayPal, the global payment giant
News 16 Dec. 2022
Curtis Trade Team is top ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific 2023
Event 08 May. 2023
Partner Irene Petrelli to Participate in ICC YAAF Event
News 02 May. 2023
Curtis Italy with DeA Capital in the Acquisition of Magic S.r.l
Event 23 May. 2023
Partners Luciana Ricart and Fernando Tupa Will Teach a Workshop on Hearings in Investment Arbitration for Arbanza School of Arbitration’s Online Program
Publications 23 Feb. 2023
Fernando Tupa Publishes Book on Forum-Specific Consent to International Arbitration in Investment Agreements
Event 03 May. 2023
Dr. Borzu Sabahi to Speak at ICSID-ADGM Joint Conference: Investment Protection and Armed Conflict
Event 19 Mar. 2023
Sebastiano Nessi speaks at Bahrain Business and Legal Landscape Conference
Event 01 Jun. 2023
Curtis Environmental Chair Charles Howland to Moderate Panel Discussion on Latest Developments in Environmental Due Diligence at ABA Masterclass on Environmental Transactions
News 25 May. 2023
Curtis Files SCOTUS Amicus Brief for Distinguished Law Professors in First Amendment Retaliatory Arrest Case
News 06 Mar. 2023
Russia Sanctions at the First Anniversary: An Overview of Current Sanctions in the US, UK, and EU and How Global Companies Can Navigate Evolving and Conflicting Sanctions Regimes
Client Alert 30 Aug. 2022
The EU Adopts the “Maintenance and Alignment” Sanctions Package
Client Alert 24 Jun. 2021
Update on Virtual Notarization (Executive Order 202.7) During the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic (Updated: June 24, 2021) — U.S. Insight
Update on Virtual Witnessing (New York Executive Order 202.14) During The COVID-19 (Coronavirus) Pandemic (Updated: June 24, 2021) — U.S. Insight
Curtis is the foremost law firm for sovereigns and state-owned entities, having advised over 40 sovereign states and government clients on the exploration and exploitation of natural resources; negotiation of partnerships with international investors; development of energy and transportation infrastructure; balancing of fiscal and tax regimes to attract investors and maximize tax revenues; and securing revenue streams through investment funds and other investment strategies.
For decades, sovereign states, and government clients have relied on Curtis’ advice to achieve their strategic objectives and defend their interests. We have an enviable record of success in overseeing complex legislative reforms, capacity-building efforts, general corporate matters, including the full range of international contracts, joint ventures and transactions governing the exploitation and commercialization of natural resources. We are notable for our success in inter-state dispute resolution involving public international law and defending sovereign states and state-owned entities in investment treaty arbitration.
Curtis advises only sovereigns and state-owned entities as respondents in investor-state arbitrations as a matter of policy. We believe this avoids any possible conflict of interest that may arise by representing both investors and states simultaneously as clients. Conflicts and disputes inevitably arise from time to time, and our national oil company (NOC) clients benefit also from our formidable oil and gas industry experience.
Curtis has been recognized as the top law firm globally for high-stakes international arbitrations. We have handled some of the largest and most important cases in the world, with an aggregate amount of claims of nearly US$100 billion. We are equally experienced in helping sovereign clients avoid litigation and often arbitration through effective negotiation and alternative dispute resolution.
Curtis has unmatched depth of experience in international trade on both advisory and litigation matters. We help governments negotiate and implement their trade agreements, as well as defend governments’ interests in disputes:
Curtis advises national oil companies (NOCs) on the full range of oil and gas activities, including the structuring, negotiating and drafting of all hydrocarbon-related legislation used in both upstream and downstream phases, infrastructure procurement and development, and oil and gas-related disputes. We advise NOCs on developing legislative framework, implementation of tax policy, international treaty negotiations and commercial contract negotiations with other oil companies and consortiums.
Curtis has advised on the privatization and corporatization of government enterprises and dealings with regulators, as well as the full range of commercial issues governments and NOCs face in their daily operations and dealings with members of their supply chain.
Curtis also advises on exploration and development agreements such as farm-in/farm-out arrangements and joint operating agreements, project finance, infrastructure development, and public-private partnerships (PPPs).
Curtis understands that state-owned enterprises have a unique set of fiscal objectives and imperatives. Our tax lawyers help governments attract foreign investment and develop and implement policies and structures relating to these investments. The firm has represented governments in several investment treaty claims involving tax.
Curtis helps states to minimize the tax liability under the tax regimes of foreign countries and have represented state enterprises (including NOCs and sovereign wealth funds) in structuring their cross-border activities, including financings, joint ventures, reorganizations, and asset dispositions and acquisitions.
Sovereign wealth funds, government-sponsored pension funds and other quasi-governmental institutions rely on Curtis’ investment management advice. We assist on all aspects of structuring, forming and operating a country’s sovereign wealth fund. We find the best solution and develop the right framework for the sovereign wealth fund’s organization, objective, governance and control.
Curtis’ international investment management lawyers advise sovereign wealth funds on all aspects of their domestic and global investment activities. We analyze and assess the legal risks relating to investments, negotiate terms and conditions with third parties and prepare the documentation for substantial transactions.
Curtis provides sovereign states with the background, analysis and advice on their legal position and options under public international law. We are on hand to advise our government clients on day-to-day legal operations, informing their approach to decision-making, policies and actions.
Curtis’ impressive team of highly experienced professionals includes former Law of the Sea Tribunal judges, economists and international arbitration practitioners. We represent sovereign states before the International Court of Justice (ICJ), the Law of the Sea Tribunal and other international courts and tribunals.
Curtis advises governments and state-owned entities involved in the mining, metal and energy industries. We advise on all stages of natural resource exploitation, from organizing tenders, drafting and negotiation of production sharing agreements to infrastructure procurement and development. Curtis also advises governments on the design and implementation of laws, regulations and regulatory entities governing the mining and natural resource sectors.
Corporate
Energy (Oil & Gas)
Infrastructure Development
International Arbitration
International Trade
Investment Management
Public International Law
Tax
George Kahale III
Chairman
“Especially well regarded for its expertise in the representation of sovereign states and state entities”
Chambers Global 2020
"Curtis...is at the forefront of investment treaty arbitration - an area in which it is recognized as the go-to counsel for sovereign clients and state-owned enterprises."
Legal 500 USA 2020
"The team has the ability to see the big picture of a case at once, and then to keep an eye and reassess that picture along the way."
Legal 500 EMEA 2020
"A very good combination of strategic thinkers and good technical expertise"
Chambers Global 2019
"The trade team of this firm give very practical advice, not a textbook one, but based on deep understanding of the industry and its issues."
Chambers Asia Pacific 2019
"The team's ability to grasp the primary issues and principles of a dispute, however obscure and complex, is exemplary."
Legal 500 EMEA 2018
We use cookies on our website to enhance your browsing experience, match your interests and assess our website performance. We do not share information with any third-party for marketing purposes. Please view our privacy policy to learn more about the use of cookies on our website. By continuing to browse our website, you consent to our use of cookies.