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.
Katherine Sanoja graduated magna cum laude with a J.D. from Florida International University College of Law. Her practice concentrates on international dispute resolution through international arbitration and litigation. She primarily advises States and State entities in matters before ICSID and its additional facility, as well as before commercial arbitration institutions, including AAA, ICDR, ICC, etc.
She has served as counsel or acted as secretary to tribunals in arbitrations administered by international arbitral institutions, including the ICC, ICDR, LCIA, ICSID, and PCA, in proceedings conducted in English, Spanish, and Portuguese.
Ms. Sanoja also has represented clients before state and federal courts throughout the USA representing individuals and companies in various types of commercial litigation, including litigation related to the enforcement of arbitration awards and 1782 discovery requests, and in all stages of trial and appeal.
Highlighted Cases
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International Arbitration
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International Litigation
Highlighted Publications
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Book Chapter
Contributor, “Obrigaçoes do Vendedor – Entrega de Mercadorias e Remessa de Documentos” en Comentários à Convenção de Viena Sobre Contratos de Compra e Venda Internacional de Mercadorias., Arts. 30 and 34, p. 69-84, 2016, CISG.
Co-Author, A CISG e o Brasil, Chapter: Article 7 - The interpretative tool of the CISG. Ingeborg Schwenzer, Cesar A. Guimaraes Pereira e Leandro Tripoli, p. 56, 2015
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Journal Article
Co-Author, “Entidades Estatais e Execucão de Sentenças Arbitrais nos Estados Unidos”, p. 279-284, 2015, Revista de Arbitragem e Medição.
Co-Author, “Article 7: The Interpretive Tool of the CISG”, 2015, A CISG e o Brasil: Lições e Reflexões Quando de Sua Entrada em Vigor, Ingeborg Schwenzer, Cesar A. Guimarães Pereira y Leandro Tripodi (eds.).
Co-Author, “Risk Allocation in the Delivery of Goods under the U.N. Convention for the International Sale of Goods”, 2015, Editora Appris en Brasil.
Co-Author, “Execucão de Laudos Arbitrais Internacionais na Flórida/Execution of International Arbitral Awards in Florida”, p. 30-31, 2014, Revista Catarinense de Solução de Conflictos.
Author, “The Impact of ‘Anti-Sharia’ Legislation on Arbitration and Why Judge Nielsen in Florida Got It Right”, 2012, Florida International University Law Review.
Co-Author, "Corruption in International Arbitration: Evidentiary Challenges," 2019; online publication, CAMESP – Camara de Arbitragem e Mediação de Santa Catarina, Agosto 2020.
Co-Author, State-Owned Entities and Enforcement of Arbitral Awards in the United States, Revista de Arbitragem e Mediação, nº 45, 2015.
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Legal Newsletter
Related 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, "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 promotes two international arbitration attorneys to Counsel; Katherine Sanoja, who is a US-UK citizen of Venezuelan heritage, and Peruvian Pablo Mori Bregante. The practitioners have been involved in numerous high-profile investment disputes representing two of GST’s key clients, Venezuela and Pakistan.
CityBizList reports on a round of promotions at GST LLP; Katherine Sanoja and Pablo Mori have been promoted from Associate to Counsel, and Gary Shaw to Senior Associate.
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.
GST LLP participated in a claim filed on behalf of an individual confined in Miami’s Metro West Detention Center who suffers multiple illnesses that make him especially vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus. Their work was instrumental in obtaining a judge’s temporary restraining order against the Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.
GST LLP participated in a claim filed on behalf of an individual confined in Miami’s Metro West Detention Center who suffers multiple illnesses that make him especially vulnerable to the Covid-19 virus. Their work was instrumental in obtaining a judge’s temporary restraining order against the Dade Corrections and Rehabilitation Department.
Venezuelan opposition leader Juan Guaidó has failed to persuade a US court to stay the enforcement of an ICSID award worth over US$400 million – after the court said it “may take years” to stabilize the country and transition to another political regime. Lawyers from Curtis Mallet-Prevost Colt & Mosle are acting on behalf of Guaidó; Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro is represented by GST LLP. 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.
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.
Quinn Smith of GST LLP argues that appointments to the board of Citgo made by temporary or interim President of Venezuela Juan Guiado are not legitimate.
GST LLP’s Quinn Smith and Katherine Sanoja are acting as attorneys for Venezuela as US glassmaker Owens Illinois moved against it to collect on US$500 million awarded in 2015.
As a Delaware-based Chancery Court hears arguments, Quinn Smith of GST LLP asserts that the letter of Venezuelan law states that only the President of Venezuela has the right to name board members to Citgo in that country. He said, “Reading powers outside the text in dangerous. That word [interim] is crucial.”
Rankings
Florida Super Lawyers
Florida Rising Stars – International
2011 – 2020
