Thompson & Knight Bolsters International Oil and Gas Arbitration Expertise

DALLAS, NEW YORK and LONDON, March 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The global oil and gas industry is increasingly turning to arbitration in resolving a wide range of legal disputes, and the law firm of Thompson & Knight continues to bolster its expertise in this dynamic area of the energy market.

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"Our Firm's knowledge of the oil and gas business has proven invaluable in supporting clients through the changing geopolitical environment and the complexities of international arbitration," says Andrew B. Derman, Thompson & Knight's international energy practice leader and noted oil and gas expert.

During the past three years, the Firm's attorneys have represented several major and independent oil and gas companies in a variety of significant matters, including:

• An International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) arbitration on behalf of an international energy company's downstream affiliates that was recognized by The American Lawyer as one of the ten largest reported awards during 2009-2010;
• The London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA) and International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) arbitrations on behalf of a joint venture related to the construction and operation of a gas-to-liquids plant;
• An ICC arbitration on behalf of an international energy company related to a gas-processing concession awarded by the Federal Government of Nigeria;
• An ICDR arbitration on behalf of an international energy company relating to upstream developments in Colombia;
• An American Arbitration Association (AAA) arbitration on behalf of an independent oil and gas company involving the alleged breach of an asset purchase-and-sale agreement; and
• Pre-dispute counseling engagements to help clients maximize the chances of success in potential arbitrations involving projects and developments in Latin America, Africa, and the Middle East.

Mr. Derman has assisted energy industry clients in more than 50 countries on six continents during his legal career. He continues to work closely with Thompson & Knight partners Paul H. Cohen, Philip J. Kessler, William M. Katz, Jr., and Andrew Melsheimer in oil & gas arbitrations.  These projects currently involve upstream and downstream energy developments in North America in addition to upstream and midstream projects in South America, Africa, and the Middle East.

"This team provides clients with a powerful combination that brings together a deep understanding of legal issues affecting the oil and gas markets, and the addition of Paul Cohen in our New York office last year accelerated our plans in this area," says Emily Parker, the Firm's managing partner.

Mr. Cohen, a co-founder of 12 Gray's Inn Square Chambers, has substantial experience in international arbitration, trans-national litigation, and both domestic and international regulatory inquiries. He is licensed in both New York and in England and Wales.

The Firm works closely with renowned London barrister and arbitration expert Arthur Marriott QC of 12 Gray's Inn Square and is relocating its London office to 9 Gray's Inn Square effective April 1. Gray's Inn is one of the four English Inns of Court.

"This move of our London-based operations further enhances our ability to serve existing clients and better positions Thompson & Knight for new business opportunities for international arbitration," says Derman.

Thompson & Knight recently was named the "Law Firm of the Year in Oil & Gas Law" in the 2011-2012 edition of Best Law Firms, the preeminent listing of the nation's top legal practices published by U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America®.

For additional information contact Becky S. Jackson, Chief Client Services Officer, 214.969.1478

About Thompson & Knight

Established in 1887, Thompson & Knight is a full-service firm providing legal solutions to public and private companies, governments, and individuals in all areas, including commercial and tort litigation, finance, banking, securities, mergers and acquisitions, taxation, intellectual property, corporate governance, creditors' rights, real estate, labor, white collar defense, and environmental matters, among others.  We are particularly recognized for our depth of experience and capabilities on behalf of clients in the energy industry, both domestically and around the world.  Thompson & Knight has been named the "Law Firm of the Year" in Oil & Gas Law in the 2011-2012 edition of Best Law Firms, the preeminent listing of the nation's top legal practices published by U.S. News & World Report and The Best Lawyers in America®.  Thompson & Knight has approximately 330 attorneys with offices in Texas and New York and international offices and associations in the Americas, North Africa, Europe, and Asia.

SOURCE Thompson & Knight

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