“Ben is an exceptional addition to the firm as we continue the expansion of our arbitration practice globally. He’s an excellent arbitration lawyer all-around, and his forte is investor-state arbitration. Our firm already has a strong investor-state practice in Europe, so his incorporation here in the U.S. makes a lot of strategic sense for us,” said José Astigarraga, the leader of Reed Smith’s International Arbitration Practice.
“The firm’s strategy to expand its global arbitration practice was one of the key elements that attracted me to Reed Smith,” said Love. “My time in the Paris and New York offices of Freshfields, as well as in the Houston office of King & Spalding before then, has been invaluable both personally and professionally. I have been fortunate in my career to work with and learn from several outstanding lawyers, including Nigel Blackaby and Doak Bishop. Reed Smith provides a unique opportunity to join its fast-growing international arbitration practice, whose client base, industry focus, and trajectory are an excellent fit with my own practice. I look forward to working with José Astigarraga and my other Reed Smith colleagues to assist clients on their most complex and significant international disputes.”
Love’s arrival comes on the heels of the firm’s landing of J.P. Duffy, who joined the firm’s International Arbitration Practice as a partner in New York last month in what is another strategic hire. One of the firm’s key industry groups is life sciences, a field in which Duffy has particularly deep international arbitration experience. “His arrival strengthens the firm’s arbitration bench in general, but again, from a strategic standpoint, his strength in life sciences arbitration is a perfect fit and makes huge sense for us,” said Astigarraga.
Astigarraga notes Reed Smith’s International Arbitration practice has been expanding, and has just been named to Global Arbitration Review’s list of top 30 international arbitration firms in the world. The firm has added seasoned international arbitration talent in Paris, Dubai, Singapore, Miami and other leading arbitral venues and continues to recruit additional skilled arbitration lawyers.
“Growing the international arbitration practice across our platform is an important element of our overall strategy to expand Reed Smith’s role and reputation as a global disputes leader,” said Peter Hardy, co-chair of the firm’s Global Commercial Disputes Group. “Ben and JP are the newest assets in a practice that is rapidly translating this strategy into action firmwide.”
Love has extensive experience as counsel in complex and high-value commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, with a particular focus on disputes involving energy and natural resources.
He had a prominent role in the Peace Pipeline arbitrations arising from the cessation of gas supply from Egypt to Israel following the Arab Spring, in which East Mediterranean Gas (EMG) and its shareholders received several favorable awards in related contract and treaty arbitrations. These include a US$1.3 billion award to EMG in a CRCICA arbitration against Egypt’s State oil and gas companies, a US$324 million award to EMG in an ICC arbitration against those same entities, and favorable awards on jurisdiction and liability for EMG’s shareholders in related ICSID and UNCITRAL treaty arbitrations against the Arab Republic of Egypt.
Ben was also part of the counsel teams that obtained a US$1.2 billion ICSID Additional Facility award for Rusoro Mining against Venezuela, a US$270 million ICSID award for Total against Argentina, and half a dozen victories defeating attempts by Venezuela and Argentina to annul large ICSID awards in favor of Suez, Tenaris, Vestey, and Total.
With law degrees from the University of Texas and Université de Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Ben speaks and publishes regularly on international arbitration and public international law, and currently teaches international investment law and arbitration at Brooklyn Law School. He has been listed among the “Most Highly Regarded Individuals” in Who’s Who in Arbitration – Future Leaders in each of the past three years (2017, 2018, and 2019).
New York Managing Partner Cindy Minniti said, “Ben brings strong cross-border capabilities that will help us address the arbitration needs of diverse clients. We are delighted to further enhance our international dispute resolution capabilities with Ben’s arrival.”
Reed Smith’s International Arbitration practice advises clients across a wide range of industry sectors in more than 100 countries around the world, including Asia, Africa, Europe, the Middle East, North America and Latin America. Serving as advisers, advocates and arbitrators in key arbitral centers worldwide, our attorneys represent both claimants and respondents and are experienced with the procedures of all major international arbitration institutions.
About Reed Smith
Reed Smith is a dynamic international law firm, dedicated to helping clients move their businesses forward. Its long-standing relationships, international outlook, and collaborative structure make it a go-to partner for speedy resolution of complex disputes, transactions, and regulatory matters.
For further information, please visit reedsmith.com.
