Womble Bond Dickinson announced today that Alexandre (“Alex”) de Gramont has joined the firm’s Washington, DC, office as a partner in the Business Litigation Practice Group, where he will lead the firm’s International Disputes Practice.
De Gramont has decades of experience in cases before the world’s major arbitral institutions and in arbitration-related litigation in the U.S. courts. He has been recognized as a leading international arbitration lawyer in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, The Legal 500, The Best Lawyers in America, Benchmark Litigation, Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration (Global Leader), and Lawdragon (500 Leading Global Litigators List). He is Chambers-ranked both for international arbitration and enforcement.
Drawing from Womble’s existing cross-border disputes and industry experience, de Gramont will lead a strategic expansion of its international disputes capabilities. “Womble has deep trial and litigation experience and substantive acumen in key industries that regularly face international disputes, like oil and gas, natural resources, manufacturing, and life sciences,” de Gramont said. “Our practice offers clients a value proposition that few disputes practices can match: top-shelf arbitration practitioners combined with a unique understanding of our clients’ businesses and a competitive rate structure.”
“Alex’s experience and reputation will strengthen and transform our already significant international disputes resolution practice,” said Lisa Rushton, Business Litigation Practice Group Leader. “His trial skills, excellent track record in an impressive range of international disputes, and client-focused approach make him a perfect fit for Womble.”
De Gramont’s experience includes energy, mining, life sciences, hospitality, and Internet governance. He has represented Fortune 500 corporations as well as smaller companies, high-net-worth individuals, foreign governments, and state-owned enterprises in cross-border disputes arising from North, Central, and South America as well as Africa, Asia, and Europe.
Jeffrey Whittle, Head of Womble’s Global Energy & Natural Resources Sector and Houston Office Managing Partner, said: “Alex adds yet another dimension and strong leadership to our international disputes practice. He has acted as lead counsel in numerous major international disputes involving oil and gas, electricity, and renewables. His experience in oil and gas and mining arbitration spans Latin America, Africa, and Asia.”
José Luis Vittor, who heads the firm’s Latin America practice, added: “Alex is known around the world for his excellence in international disputes, including in Latin America. International arbitration remains the preferred mode of dispute resolution in Latin America, and Alex’s arrival will expand our capabilities and offerings in that area.”
De Gramont is a graduate of New York University School of Law and Wesleyan University. He joins Womble from Dechert LLP.