Gabriela Alvarez-Avila

Partner

In the 2022 Chambers Ranking, Gabriela is recognized as " 'a phenomenal lawyer,' that has set notable international law precedents in arbitration with the awards handed down in cases she has participated in.” Very professional and knowledgeable lawyer" and as "very meticulous and able to create a solid line of defence for clients. She is also great at devising strategies."

Emailgabriela.alvarezavila@us.dlapiper.com

Call+52 55 5261 1883

Mexico City

About

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations

Bar admissionsMexico

Gabriela Alvarez-Avila is known for representing sovereigns and state-owned enterprises in investor-state and commercial arbitration matters. One client said: 'Gabriela Alvarez-Avila is an excellent and meticulous professional.' Another respondent declared: 'She is one of the best lawyers I have been able to work with. A perfectionist who is always aware of the client's concerns.'

'Respected dispute resolution practitioner Gabriela Alvarez-Avila of DLA Piper benefits from solid expertise assisting clients with investment arbitration cases; she is an extraordinary lawyer, one of the most experienced ones in arbitration, and enjoys several years of experience in the area.'

— Chambers Latin America Guide, 2023

EXPERIENCE

Gabriela has participated in numerous international arbitration proceedings, among them the following:

Leading an Investment Arbitration claim on behalf of a Canadian mining company in its NAFTA claim against Mexico.
Representing the Peruvian subsidiary of a leading Israeli company in the agricultural sector in an ICC arbitration related to a US$ 75 million claim concerning two EPC contracts for designing and installing an irrigation system in Peru.
Representing the Dutch subsidiary of a leading Israeli company in the agricultural sector in an ICC arbitration related to claim concerning a distribution contract in Mexico.
Representing a Latin American State in an UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a service agreement executed with a Latin American software company for the implementation of a computer system for the issuance of identity cards and electronic passports.
Represented two investors in connection with their BIT claim arising out of investments in the solar energy sector.
Represented the Kingdom of Spain in an UNCITRAL arbitration of US688 million related to the collapse of a Spanish Bank, obtaining the dismissal of the claims and US8 million in costs and legal fees.
Represented the Kingdom of Spain in an ICSID annulment proceeding, obtaining the annulment of the first award rendered against the State in the renewable Energy sector. All costs were granted to the client (Eiser Infrastructure and others c. Kingdom of Spain – ICSID Case No. ARB/13/36)
Represented Cameroon in an ICSID arbitration of US$120 million in the banking sector obtaining the dismissal of the claims for lack of ICSID jurisdiction (Capital Financial Holdings Luxembourg, S.A. c. Republic of Cameroon – ICSID Case No. ARB/15/18)
Represented Kuwait in an ICSID arbitration of US$320 million related to a construction project in the tourism sector, obtaining the dismissal of all the claims and the payment of all the costs (Almasyria For Operating & Maintenance Touristic Construction Co. L.L.C. c. Kuwait – ICSID Case No. ARB/18/2)
Represented Kazakhstan in an UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to a poultry project, obtaining the dismissal of the claims due to lack of jurisdiction (Ruby Roz v. Kazakhstan)
Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration and its subsequent annulment proceeding in connection with a service contract in the Energy sector, obtaining a partial annulment of the award and an important reduction in the amount of the damages in favor of the State (Tidewater Inc., and others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/10/5)
Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration in the Energy sector obtaining the dismissal of the claims for lack of jurisdiction and a decision rejecting an application for annulment filed by the investor and granting costs (Venoklim Holding B.V. c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/12/22)
Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration for US$18 million, in connection with the reform of the Energy sector in Venezuela. The Tribunal admitted part of the jurisdictional objections filed by the State and reduced the damages to approximately US$1.4 million. The annulment application filed by Venezuela was admitted and the award partially annulled, reducing the award to approximately $200 million. This represents the highest amount in damages annulled in the history of ICSID (Venezuela Holdings, B.V. y others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/07/27)
Represented a Latin American State in relation to a contractual claim in the Energy sector.
Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration for US$30 million, related to the reform of the Energy sector in Venezuela and the expropriation of a significant oil project. (ConocoPhillips Company and others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/07 /30)
Represented Kazakhstan in an ICSID arbitration for US$1.2 million in relation to a dispute in the Energy sector, obtaining the rejection of the claims and the granting of costs in favor of the State. (Caratube International Oil Company LLP c. Kazajistán – ICSID Case No. ARB/08/12)
Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration initiated by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Europe. In 2016, the majority of the Tribunal issued a decision accepting all of Venezuela´s arguments on damages except one, including agreeing to apply a nominal discount rate of 19.88% and to reduce the claimant's claimed future profits by 25% (Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Europe c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/12/13)
Represented a Mexican state-owned company in an LCIA Arbitration relating to an infrastructure Project in the Energy sector for EU$45 million.
Represented the Dominican Republic in an UNCITRAL arbitration for US$600 million in the renewable Energy sector (Michael Anthony Lee Chin v. Dominican Republic – ICSID Case No. UNCT/18/3)
Represented Turkmenistan in an ICSID arbitration in the construction sector, obtaining the dismissal of the claims for lack of jurisdiction (Kiliç Ĭnşaat Ĭthalat Ĭhracat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi v. Turkmenistan – ICSID Case No. ARB/10/1)
President of the Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a Mexican Supply electricity company and a Mexican company active in the wholesale electricity market regarding a power purchase agreement.
President of the Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between two Mexican companies regarding a share purchase agreement in connection with an infrastructure project in Mexico.

Languages

Education

J.D., Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México

LL.M., University of Geneva

Ph.D. Studies, University of Geneva Graduate Institute of International Law

Awards

Pro Bono

Publications

Media Mentions

Prior Experience

Before joining DLA Piper, Gabriela practiced at several major law firms in Mexico City and Geneva, Switzerland. She additionally served as senior counsel at the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) and a Spanish multinational financial services company.

Teaching Experience

Has taught International Arbitration at the Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económica (CIDE) and at the Commercial PostGraduate Program of the Escuela Libre de Derecho.

Memberships And Affiliations