Matters of international law.™
Formed in 2009, GST LLP is an international dispute resolution firm with offices in Washington, D.C., Miami and a foreign law desk in London. The firm has represented global companies, governments and private client parties in Latin America, Europe, Asia and the Caribbean, including States and their instrumentalities, multi-national corporations and select individuals.
GST LLP is lauded for their creative, strategic thinking, extensive experience and value-driven, boutique-style service across all matters of international law. The firm holds top-ranking status from industry media and review organizations including Global Arbitration Review and Legal 500. Leading publications such as Bloomberg Law, Law360 and International Comparative Legal Guides have recognized GST LLP’s work, and members of the firm are frequently featured as speakers at events organized by renowned academic and professional organizations around the world. Arbitral institutions often turn to GST LLP practitioners when selecting arbitrators and advising on best practices in dispute resolution.
GST LLP’s areas of practice include International Arbitration, Public International Law, International Litigation and Mediation.
No organic law can ever be framed with a provision specifically applicable to every question which may occur in practical administration. No foresight can anticipate nor any document of reasonable length contain express provisions for all possible questions.
Our Ethos
GST LLP takes its leadership responsibility seriously as experts in the field of international law. Our commitment to public service and advocacy is central to our ethos. We have fought against social injustice and racism at both the local and federal level alongside organizations like Community Justice Project and Civil Rights Corp, and we have launched and participated in multifaceted grassroots and grasstops campaigns creating real, meaningful change. Our tight-knit team of thinkers, doers and givers has dedicated their time, talent, and treasure to public arts and cultural programming too, including O, Miami poetry festival, and The Rhythm Foundation, improving the communities in which we work and live.
In addition to volunteer initiatives and philanthropic efforts, our attorneys work with universities and associations around the world; they include Columbia University, Queen Mary University of London, New York University, American University, and Georgetown Law School. We mentor up-and-coming attorneys participating in Moots and other leadership programs and advance the profession and practice through scholarly writings and presentations.
GST LLP is a diverse and inclusive boutique law firm, in composition and practice. Our workforce is representative of our global service and clients, with attorneys from the Caribbean, North America, South America, Africa and Asia. Our culture of empowerment values different perspectives and encourages the free exchange of ideas.
Our Impact
Recent News
A virtual event to discuss International Investment Law, International Arbitration, and Protection of Public Health in times of COVID-19
This panel was organized with the sponsorship of the DC Bar Association International Law Community, International Investment and Finance Committee, and International Arbitration Committee.
February 18, 2021
GST Represented Guatemala as they filed an emergency motion to nix a freezing order on nearly $16 million being held by Bank of New York Mellon as a Teco Energy subsidiary tries to enforce a $35 million arbitral award against the country, saying the order is putting it in danger of defaulting on its sovereign debt.
Representing Guatemala, Partner Ignacio Torterola, Counsel Pablo Mori and foreign associates Jose Angelo David, Farhod Sharipov and Carmine Pascuzzo in Washington, DC and Partners Diego Gosis and Quinn Smith in Miami served as Guatemala applied to annul an ICSID award on the basis of Bulgarian arbitrator Stanimir Alexandrov's alleged failure to disclose ties with an expert witness – a year after Spain successfully annulled an award based on similar allegations.
The issue of double hatting has been framed in the words of Phillippe Sands, as to whether a lawyer can perform the activity of counsel in the morning arguing a position and then act as arbitrator in the afternoon deciding the same legal issue. This was a virtual event on March 1, 2021.
The Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”) was proud to host 95 teams from 46 countries for the 5th AIAC [Virtual] Pre-Moot (“AIAC Pre-Moot”). The strong participation during this year’s competition, as well as the dedication of over 220 arbitrators taking part in the competition and virtual social events, places the AIAC Pre-Moot in the running to be the largest Pre-Moot in the world.
IABA's Mid-Year Council Meeting and International Seminar dedicated to “Constitution and Democracy in the Times of COVID-19: A Way Forward and Effective Protection of Rights,” provided an insightful and timely discussion featuring prominent speakers from around the world, including GST LLP's Ignacio Torterola. Taking place February 17-19, 2021, the academic event was held virtually and provided a forum to review and improve institutional governance, as well as reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Venezuela triumphs in Dutch Court of Appeals. A US$240 million claim brought by the members of the García Armas family was rejected based on their dual nationality in Manuel Garcia Armas and others v. Venezuela. According to Partner Ignacio Torterola, the judgment confirms that dual nationals bringing claims against their home state “is alien to international law, including investment law.” GST LLP served as counsel to Venezuela, while The Garcías were represented by Freshfields and Dechamps International Law.
Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos spoke on"Las tendencias actuales en mediación," at a virtual event organized by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), branch CIArb-Ecuador, with the support of CIARb-Brazil, ECIJA, USFQ, among others. The two-day event included international expert discussions on current topics related to arbitration and mediation.
The Brazilian arbitration community met to provide a free, high-level course on best practices and techniques for advocacy in complex cases. Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos elaborated on Witness Testimony.
Powering the "Green Energy Revolution" calls for both foreign investment in mines and universal sustainable practices. Rich in lithium reserves - among other rare materials - certain Latin American countries are well-positioned to help accelerate the world's transition to renewable energy while modeling exemplary sustainable practices that make good sense for the environment, and for business. Co-written by GST LLP Partners Quinn Smith, Diego Brian Gosis, and Ignacio Torterola, the commentary includes insights from mining industry expert Barbara Filas.
In this 2020 round-up, Kluwer Arbitration looks at the most important investment arbitration decisions in Latin America. Preeminent practitioners highlight and interpret key disputes from across the region, and Counsel Pablo Mori's analysis on The Rutas de Lima v. Metropolitan Municipality of Lima case was included.
On December 5th, Jose Angelo David spoke about legal education in the Philippines and the practice of international law and arbitration at the "Law School Forum." Organized by The Ateneo Lex of the Ateneo De Manila University Loyola Schools in the Philippines, the panel was attended by prospective law students. Other speakers included Sorsogon Province Governor Francis Escudero and De La Salle University School of Law Dean Jose Manuel Diokno.
