Ignacio Torterola is a Partner at GST LLP’s Washington, D.C. office. He has extensive experience advising and representing parties in International Arbitration. Mr. Torterola represented Argentina before international arbitral tribunals and litigation proceedings in the landslide of commercial and investment arbitration disputes concerning primarily the complex issues that arose from the 2001/2002 economic, social and political crisis in his country. In that regard, he represented Argentina in more than 40 high-stakes large-size ICSID and UNCITRAL arbitrations (jurisdiction, merits and annulment phases) under the Argentine BITs with the United States, Germany, UK, Italy, France, the Netherlands, Chile, among others, spanning the water and sanitation, oil and gas, manufacturing, infrastructure and financial services industries.

More recently, Mr. Torterola has represented other Sovereigns in Latin America in international litigation and commercial and investment arbitration.

Previously, Mr. Torterola was a professional diplomat, counsel and Deputy Director of the Office of the Argentine Treasury Attorney General, Office that represents Argentina in international legal disputes. Subsequently, he was the Head of the Argentine Liaison Office before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) at the Argentine Embassy in Washington, D.C (2006 – 2012). He has negotiated, on behalf of Argentina, the 2010 UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules and the World Trade Organization (WTO) Dispute Settlement Understanding. Mr. Torterola has also represented Argentina before the OECD Investment Committee and UNCTAD Investment and Enterprise Committee. He writes and teaches extensively on international law and international arbitration, and published a commentary Book to the 2010 UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules. He is Co-Director of International Arbitration Case Law (IACL).

Mr. Torterola is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian and has a good understanding and working knowledge of Portuguese. He has taught international arbitration and international law in the most prestigious universities worldwide.

Highlighted Cases

Highlighted Publications

  • Book Chapter 

    Co-author, The Arbitration Review of the Americas 2021, Chapter: "Concession Contracts in Times of Crisis". Co-authors Quinn Smith, Diego Brian Gosis, and Ignacio Torterola, 2020.

    Co-Author, “Argentina” in Latin America Investment Protections, 2012.

    Author, Nuevo Reglamento de Arbitraje de la CNUDMI, 2011, Nuevo Reglamento de Arbitraje de la CNUDMI.

    Author, “Book Review García Rubio’s On the Application of Customary rules of State Responsibility by WTO Dispute Resolution Organs”, 2004, Revista del Servicio Exterior.

  • Journal Article 

    Co-Author, The Better Way Forward: Investor-State Dispute Strategies, 2019, ICLG.com.

    Co-Author, “Investor-State Disputes in Africa”, 2019, ICLG.com.

    Co-Author, “The Guide to Infrastructure and Energy Investment” 3rd ed., 2018, Latin Lawyer.

    Co-Author, “Investment Treaty Arbitration”, 2016, Latin Lawyer Guide to Infrastructure and Energy Investment.

    Editor, “Tdm Latin America Special”, 2016, Transnational Dispute Management.

    Editor, “The New ICC Arbitration Rules in Cases Involving States and State Entities”, 2012, Center for America and International Law.

    Co-Author, “Investment Arbitration in Argentina”, 2012, Investment Arbitration in Latin America.

    Author, “Multi-Tiered Investment Arbitration Clauses in Tratado de Derecho Arbitral”, 2011, Tomo I. Instituto Peruano del Arbitraje – Universidad Javeriana de Colombia.

    Author, “Lawyers and Arbitrators ́ Conflicts of Interest: A State Lawyer Perspective”, 2011, Paris Journal of International Arbitration.

    Author, “Los Institutos de la Emergencia en el Derecho Internacional y el Estado Argentino”, 2010, Revista Internacional del Arbitraje.

    Author, “The Transparency Requirement in the New UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules: A Premonitory View”, vol. 1, no. 1, 2010, International Treaty News.

    Author, “To Risk or Not to Risk? The State’s Perspective of Investor-State Dispute Resolution at the 20th Anniversary of ICSID”, 2009, Georgetown Journal of Law and Risk Management.

    Author, “Notes on the Stay of Enforcement in ICSID Arbitration”, 2009, Transnational Dispute Management.

    Author, “La Saga Continua: Comentario a las Decisiones Arbitrales en los Casos Continental C. Republica Argentina y TSA C. Republica Argentina”, 2008, Revista Arbitral Punto Medio.

    Author, “Joint Ventures Contractuales y Societarias”, 1997, Revista del Derecho Comercial y de las Obligaciones: Edit. Depalma.

    Author, “Cámaras Arbitrales de Cereales”, 1996, Revista del Derecho Agrario Argentino.

Related News

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14 – March – 2021
  —  
Events & Appearances
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
14 – March – 2021
  —  
News
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.
14 – March – 2021
  —  
News
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.
Inter-American Bar Association (IABA)
18 – February – 2021
  —  
Events & Appearances
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.
GAR
12 – February – 2021
  —  
Client News
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.
Daily Business Review
04 – January – 2021
  —  
Op-eds
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.
Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment (CCSI)
25 – July – 2020
  —  
Events & Appearances
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.
Washington Business Journal
19 – June – 2020
  —  
Press
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.
Bloomberg Law
30 – April – 2020
  —  
Op-eds
Citing the unusual environment occasioned by the Covid-19 pandemic, GST LLP partners Ignacio Torterola, Quinn Smith and Diego Gosis share their cautions with Bloomberg Law regarding the use of executive power in the Defense Production Act. They warn that normal treaty templates including clauses referring to essential security interests may provide administrations the excuse to favor domestic investment over foreign, and that these actions may result in liability.
GAR
22 – April – 2020
  —  
Client News
The Commercial Court in London has requested further details pertaining to a partial ICC award won by an Australian mining venture against Pakistan as corruption allegations continue to be invoked. Christopher Hancock QC of Twenty Essex chamber appeared on behalf of Balochistan, while GST LLP acted for the provincial government there and as co-counsel for Pakistan.
CEO Blog Nation
01 – April – 2020
  —  
Press
Ignacio Torterola of GST LLP cites Gratitude as his “CEO Hack”, in a list of tips collected by CEO Blog Nation, reporting that “Showing gratitude for every individual’s unique efforts has opened countless doors, both personally and professionally.”
Law360
25 – March – 2020
  —  
Op-eds
GST LLP partners Diego Gosis, Ignacio Torterola and Quinn Smith contribute an article to Law360’s Expert Analysis column that suggests that lessons for responding to Covid-19 may be learned from Argentina’s financial crisis. Refering to the “doctrine of necessity” that permits emergency action taken by states to ameliorate crises, the attorneys suggest that abandonment of international commitments is unwise, as is the preferential treatment of domestic investors over foreign investors.
Rankings
Chambers
Latin America Rankings - International Arbitration - Latin America
2017 – 2019
Areas of Practice
Jurisdictions
  • Argentina
Arbitral Bodies
  • ICSID
  • UNCITRAL
  • UNCTAD
  • WTO
Memberships & Associations

IACL Co-Director of International Arbitration Case Law

Education

Universidad Nacional del Litoral, master’s degree

Università di Pisa, LL.M.

Instituto del Servicio Exterior de la Nación (ISEN) Argentina, master’s degree

Cornell University, LL.M.

World Trade Organization Institute, diploma

Languages
  • Spanish
  • Portuguese
  • English
  • Italian
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