Lauren Blanchard

Representative English Litigation Matters

• Acting for an airline against an aircraft original equipment manufacturer in the Technology and Construction Court. The $2 billion dispute concerned multiple claims of breach of contract, with proceedings on an expediated timetable.
• In the Venezuela gold case, acting for a central bank in the Commercial Court, Court of Appeal, and Supreme Court, all on an expediated timetable. The $2 billion dispute concerned access to sovereign assets.
• Arising from the RoRo cartel, defending a shipping company in follow-on damage claims in the Competition Appeal Tribunal, including class action claims.
• Arising from the Trucks cartel, pursuing cartel follow-on damages claims for logistics and FMCG companies in the Competition Appeal Tribunal.

Representative Commercial and Construction Arbitration Matters

• In a Russia sanctions case, representing an industrial manufacturer in a Geneva-seated, Swiss Rule arbitration, arising out of alleged breach of contract due to sanctions compliance.
• In a COVID-19 PPE case, representing a multinational health care company in a SIAC, Singapore-seated arbitration for breach of contract, arising from violation of U.S. trade law prohibiting forced labour.
• Representing the owner of an airport against the EPCM in a multibillion-dollar breach of contract claim in an ICC, London-seated arbitration.
• Acting for a ship builder in an ad-hoc, London-seated arbitration and subsequent appeal and enforcement proceedings under the English Arbitration Act.

 Representative Investor State Arbitration Matters

• Defending the respondent state in an ICSID arbitration concerning the annulment of a gold mining concession and the subsequent environmental consequences.
• Defending the respondent state in an ICSID arbitration concerning the construction of an energy pipeline, allegedly tendered by corruption.
• Defending the respondent state in an ICSID arbitration concerning the cancellation of six related energy projects.
• Defending the respondent state in an UNCITRAL arbitration concerning the supply of national health services.

Representative U.S. Litigation Matters

• In a Russian aircraft cases, defending an insurer in a billion-dollar claim brought by an aircraft lessor for aircraft that remain in Russia following the invasion of Ukraine.
• Representing victims of the October 7 terrorist attacks in Israel in a case against Iran, Syria, and North Korea, brought under an exception to the Foreign Sovereign Immunity Act.
• Representing victims of terror attacks in a case brought under the Anti-Terrorism Act, and subsequent appeal in the Second Circuit.
• Advising on multiple civil rights actions concerning diversity, equity, and inclusion programs and facial recognition technology.

Representative U.S. Investigation Matters

• Representing a banking executive in Department of Justice and False Claims Act (FCA) investigations concerning alleged misconduct during sovereign debt transactions.
• Representing a banking executive in Department of Justice and FCA investigations concerning alleged misconduct related to executive appointments.