Derek Soller, an active member of the international arbitration community with significant experience in Latin America, has joined Pillsbury as partner in the firm’s New York office. He comes to the firm from Baker McKenzie.
Soller, who has been focused on international arbitration for his entire career, has a long track record of successfully resolving cross-border disputes in jurisdictions around the world. Recognized as a “Future Leader” by the Global Arbitration Review, and the winner of the 2019 Client Choice Award for Arbitration & ADR by Lexology, Soller has represented both investors and states in investor-state arbitrations (in ICSID, ICSID Additional Facility and ad-hoc disputes); has represented clients in commercial arbitrations under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC), JAMS and the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL) rules; and has served as an arbitrator in ICC proceedings. Soller has also acted for clients in complex commercial litigation in state and federal court.
“For companies operating internationally, having sophisticated counsel familiar with the particular intricacies governing cross-border disputes is essential,” said Deborah Baum, leader of the firm’s global Litigation group. “We have greatly enhanced our international arbitration offering in recent years to keep pace with our clients’ growing needs. We are excited about Derek’s arrival, which further advances that effort, especially as to matters in Latin America. He adds invaluable experience and knowledge to our strong team.”
Pillsbury has made a number of successful additions to its international arbitration footprint in recent years, adding leading practitioners in important markets around the globe. Recent additions to the group have included partner Deborah Ruff and counsel Julia Belcher in London; partner Robert Sills in New York; June Yeum—who has an extensive practice in Korea; and partner Richard Deutsch in Houston. Earlier this year, the firm added even greater depth to its international arbitration capabilities with the arrivals of San Francisco-based Robert Nelson, one of the foremost international energy and infrastructure lawyers in the world, and partner Bill Bosch, who added a wealth of hospitality sector arbitration experience in New York and Washington, DC.
“Pillsbury’s growth in international arbitration—and the impressive run of success its partners have achieved—show that the firm is both fully committed to building a dedicated international arbitration practice and understands the unique nuances this area of the law presents,” Soller said. “This focus, in combination with its multidisciplinary energy and infrastructure practice, makes Pillsbury a perfect platform to utilize my expertise, and to better serve my clients. I am very much looking forward to working with the outstanding lawyers there; in particular, Bob Sills, for whom I have had tremendous respect for years.”
Pillsbury’s international arbitration practice has extensive experience representing governments, investors and others in matters before arbitral tribunals in proceedings throughout the world. Notable representations include roles advising to the Government of Mexico in more than a dozen international investment disputes brought under NAFTA and bilateral investment treaties; prevailing for a major Japanese manufacturer and several of its U.S. subsidiaries in an ICC Arbitration stemming from the failure of certain critical components manufactured and supplied to the San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, with claims in excess of $7 billion; and the successful defense of a heavy equipment designer and manufacturer in an ICC arbitration regarding $400 million in breach of contract and intellectual property infringement claims.
