Represented by GST LLP, Guatemala has lodged a counterclaim in a US$350 million DR-CAFTA dispute with third-party funded mining investors, seeking damages for alleged misrepresentation and a failure to meet environmental commitments. The state alleges that when obtaining their license, Kappes and KCA (the investors that hold licenses for the gold and silver mining projects) “omitted key information” in their environmental impact assessment (EIA), which did not meet international standards and failed to show the effect the projects would have on local water resources.
Bethel Kassa is an associate with GST LLP, focusing her practice on international investment and commercial arbitrations. She is licensed to practice law in New York.
Prior to joining GST LLP, Ms. Kassa worked as a trainee at the International Arbitration Practice of Shearman & Sterling and Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP. She has also worked as a research assistant for Judge Charles N. Brower.
Ms. Kassa has an LL.M. in International and Comparative Law from The George Washington University Law School. While at GW, she focused her studies on international business transactions and dispute settlement mechanisms. Ms. Kassa also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Addis Ababa University.
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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, "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."
Pakistan, represented by GST LLP, negotiates a settlement with a Turkish energy company which will avoid their paying any part of an ICSID award worth US$1 billion.
