B.A., University of Virginia; BCL, Oxon; JA, University of Virginia; MPhil, Oxon
Liz, a partner in the Washington, DC office of the specialist international arbitration practice Three Crowns, has more than two decades of experience as an advocate and adviser in international arbitration matters. She has acted in arbitrations around the world, under the ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, SCC, SIAC, and LCIA Rules, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations. Liz has notable experience of disputes arising in Africa, India, and Asia. She has particular expertise handling disputes involving States and State entities and fiscal disputes under long-term contracts. Her practice is a mix of commercial and investment treaty arbitration, with a focus on the upstream energy, power, and mining sectors.
Representative experience includes:
• Representing a subsidiary of an Australian mining company in a dispute with a Central Asian State concerning tax and royalty demands in breach of stability guarantees in a long-term investment agreement relating to one of the world’s largest gold/copper mines.
• Representing Elliott Associates in a pending UNCITRAL arbitration against the Republic of Korea under the investment chapter of a free trade agreement, arising out of alleged governmental corruption and political interference in the activities of a State-controlled entity. • Representing consortia of oil majors in a series of arbitrations against a West African State-entity arising out certain production sharing contracts.
• Representing the Japanese, Korean, and Taiwanese subsidiaries of a globally diversified mining company, including its Korean subsidiary, in an ICC arbitration with a US glass manufacturer. The dispute arises out a license agreement and concerns issues of patent infringement.
• Defending an ICC arbitration brought by a counterparty to a technology licensing agreement. Governed by Delaware law, the dispute involves the development of cutting-edge mobile phone technology and a claim of unpaid royalties.
Liz is recognized by Who’s Who Legal, who says she “is a wise and hugely knowledgeable lawyer with excellent written advocacy skills”. Liz is also recognized by Chambers, who note “she is very impressive – a great lawyer with strong analytical skills”, and The Legal 500 US for her international arbitration expertise.
Liz holds degrees from the University of Virginia and the University of Oxford. At Virginia, she was an Articles Editor for the Virginia Law Review. She clerked for the Hon. Judge J.H. Wilkinson, then Chief Judge of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit.
Liz has taught courses on international arbitration and global disputes at University College London (2007-2012) and American University’s Washington College of Law (2019-2021).