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
Law360 reports on Teco Guatemala Holdings LLC v. Republic of Guatemala. Represented by GST LLP, Guatemala 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. According to GST LLP, "because of Teco's flawed legal strategy, the funds that were intended to satisfy Guatemala's bond obligations are currently restrained at [BNY Mellon]. And while Guatemala no longer owns or possesses those funds, the bondholders may very well declare a default on the bonds and cause grave financial consequences for the state."
GST LLP was pleased to participate in V Oxford Arbitration Day. Co-organized by the Commercial Law Centre (University of Oxford), the Oxford International Arbitration Society, and the EDUCA Foundation, specialists from all over the world discussed important issues related to international arbitration. Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos interviewed the Honorable Charles N. Brower during the event's keynote session.
From climate change to civil rights and recovery from the pandemic, the world is experiencing an array of crises, all of which may require progressive solutions. In a presentation entitled, "Can Investment Treaties Pursue Progressive Goals?", GST LLP's Quinn Smith invited students to think critically about politics in investment treaties and what role, if any, progressive reforms can play.
GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos authored a proposal for Enunciado regarding Arbitration within Public Administration at the First Administrative Law Meeting (Jornada), hosted by the Council for Federal Justice, Brasilia, DF.
Partners Ignacio Torterola and Diego Brian Gosis presented an executive training at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, a think tank at Columbia Law School, designed to create awareness and capacity-building among government officials to negotiate international investment treaties and defend investment disputes. Their presentation focused on jurisdictional defenses in international investment law.
GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos spoke to the nuances of utilizing and maximizing technology in this webinar, hosted by Arbitraje Alumni, entitled ”Effective Persuasion in Virtual Hearings: Challenges and Tools: Perspective from the Arbitrator.”
Gleaned from his 30 years of experience, GST LLP Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos provided unique insights pertaining to “Thoughts About the Future of Conflict Management & Resolution.” The webinar was hosted by Camara De Arbitragem, Mediação & Conciliação do Centro Das Indústrias do Rio Grande Do Sul (CAMERS); Brasilia.
GST LLP International Partner Ignacio Torterola invites the Washington Business Journal into his home office during the COVID-19 pandemic. He shares how he is both adapting to the new normal and keeping his international business thriving. Ignacio is featured, alongside prominent C-level executives in the Greater Washington region, in the paper’s “HomeWork” column.
GST LLP’s Mauricio Gomm Santos was e-interviewed and provided insights related to industry developments as a result of COVID-19. The thought leadership discussion, entitled “A Dialogue Between Mediation and Arbitration: When And How Domestic And International Experiences Can Help In A Post Covid-19 Scenario,” was hosted by the Institute for Certification and Formation of Portuguese Speaking Mediators (ICFML).
GST LLP’s Mauricio Gomm Santos was part of an expert panel discussing “Arbitration in Brazil 2020: Insights from International and Local Practitioners.” The webinar was hosted by CIArb Brazil Branch in conjunction with NYIAC and Baker McKenzie.
Written by GST LLP’s Pablo Mori, this expert analysis spotlights the recent ICSID lawsuit against Peru pertaining to Law No. 31018, which establishes the suspension of toll collection across the country. The emergency law was enacted as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. In this, his second article chronicling the emergency legislation for Diario Gestión, Mori also looks at the state’s engagement with other road concessionaires and the international implications they may pose.
The ICSID unanimously decided to annul an arbitral award issued against Spain because of the improper constitution of the tribunal, namely that the investors’ appointed arbitrator had a conflict of interest. Said conflict of interest was first discovered and disclosed by GST LLP while representing Pakistan in the proceeding with the Australian joint venture, Tethyan Copper Company Pty Ltd in 2017. When asked to comment on the ruling, GST LLP’s Diego Gosis explains, “there is increased momentum for concerns relating to the integrity of tribunals.”
