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People
James Castello, a global disputes partner in Paris, has advised and represented clients in a wide range of commercial and investor-state arbitrations under multiple rules. Based in Europe for 20 of his 33 years in practice, James serves as both counsel and arbitrator. According to Chambers Global, he is "an excellent lawyer" who is "highly praised by clients for his ‘extensive, in-depth experience’ in international arbitration" and “praised by market commentators as an ‘absolutely open, thorough, fantastic lawyer.’”
James has represented European, Middle Eastern, African and Asian clients, especially in large infrastructure or energy disputes, including contested control of a refinery, privatization of a power plant, and gas price readjustments. He and a K&S team recently won one of the largest ICSID awards ever - over $2 billion - against Egypt for curtailing long-term gas supply. According to International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitration, James "has a ‘great brain’ and is ‘one of the reasons [King & Spalding] is so good in Paris.’”
A longtime member of the U.S. delegation to the Arbitration Working Groups at UNCITRAL (the UN Commission on International Trade Law), James has actively participated since 2001 in drafting or revising all of the UNCITRAL instruments relating to arbitration or mediation. James has also written extensively on UNCITRAL's Arbitration Rules in books published by Oxford, Kluwer, and Juris.
Appointed in 2007 to the London Court of International Arbitration, James sat on its subcommittee that drafted the 2014 LCIA Rules and now serves on the LCIA's Board of Directors. He serves as well on the International Advisory Board of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre and as Executive Committee Vice Chair at the Institute for Transnational Arbitration.
From 1995 to 2001, James left private practice to serve in the Clinton administration, first as Deputy Counsel to the President at the White House and then as Associate Deputy Attorney General in the Justice Department, where his portfolio included such international issues as immigration and human rights.
Credentials
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Order of the Coif
M.A. in Economics, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Yale University
District of Columbia
New York
Paris
Law Clerk, Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court of the United States
Law Clerk, William J. Brennan, Jr., Supreme Court of the United States
Law Clerk, Howard Holtzmann, Iran-United States Claims Tribunal
Law Clerk, Abner J. Mikva, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
English
French
Close
Recognition
"James Castello ... 'charms arbitration tribunals' and is 'well known ...and widely recommended,' according to clients."
International Who's Who Construction Lawyers (2019)
“[One client] describes partners Doak Bishop and James Castello as “the very best the company has ever worked with.”
Global Arbitration Review - "GAR 30 (2019)"
In Paris, the "‘excellent’ practice head James Castello ... has ‘very strong forensic skills and is detail-oriented.'"
Legal 500 EMEA (2019)
Construction Law
International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers, 2017
“A well-respected practitioner and incisive presenter of facts."
Chambers Global, 2016
"‘Extensive, in-depth experience’ in international arbitration.”
Chambers Global, 2016, quoting a client
An “illustrious” senior arbitrator and counsel
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016
A "top specialist" in large infrastructure and commercial projects, especially in the energy sector.
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016
“A ‘great brain’ and ‘one of the reasons [King & Spalding] is so good in Paris.’”
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016, quoting a client
“A ‘talented individual’ who enjoys a ‘prestigious reputation’ in the international arbitration field.”
Who’s Who Legal France, 2015
“Notable expertise in handling large investor-state cases and disputes related to commercial issues in the energy sector
Chambers Global, 2015, quoting a client
“He's at the top of my list, without a doubt.”
Chambers Global, 2015, quoting a client
“‘Outstanding’ and ‘among the best worldwide’”
Global Arbitration Review 100, 2015, quoting a client
“The Paris team handles key investment and commercial oil and gas disputes in the Middle East and Asia.”
Legal 500 France, 2015, quoting clients
“Practice head Eric Schwartz and James Castello have ‘excellent reputations’ and form ‘an excellent team.’”
Legal 500 France, 2015, quoting clients
“An expert in this field.”
Chambers Europe (France), 2014
“Highly experienced in the energy sector.”
Chambers Global, 2013
“Interviewees laud his ability to readily handle technically complex issues."
Chambers Global, 2013
"Very up to speed on new technologies” says one source
Chambers Global, 2013
“Able to quickly absorb the entire history of the case, including exchanges that took place before he handled it.”
Chambers Global, 2013
“[Has] close ties with some of the European arbitration institutions.”
Chambers Global, 2010
“Praised by market commentators as an ‘absolutely open, thorough, fantastic lawyer.’”
Chambers Global, 2010, quoting sources
News
Recognition
July 10, 2020
King & Spalding Earns Top Spot on Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 30 Ranking
Recognition
July 1, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes Europe-based King & Spalding Lawyers in its 2021 Guides
Recognition
March 12, 2020
Chambers Europe Ranks King & Spalding Among Top International Law Firms in its 2020 Guide
Matters
Representing a supplier of heavy machinery in an ICC arbitration arising from an African port development project.
Representing a respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) arising from disputed control of an oil refinery.
Representing a European energy company in an ICSID arbitration arising from its failure to receive gas under a long-term supply contract.
See more
Close
Matters
Representing a supplier of heavy machinery in an ICC arbitration arising from an African port development project.
Representing a respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) arising from disputed control of an oil refinery.
Representing a European energy company in an ICSID arbitration arising from its failure to receive gas under a long-term supply contract.
Advising an international construction joint venture in arbitrations and dispute resolution board proceedings arising from construction of a high-speed rail project.
Representing a European gas company in an ICC arbitration arising from a gas price reopener dispute with an African gas producer.
Advising an international construction engineering firm during a dispute review board proceeding on issues arising from construction of a harbor tunnel.
Representing a European commodities trader in an ad hoc arbitration arising from a breached agreement for sale and delivery of goods in the CIS.
Representing an international construction firm in a dispute concerning asphalt specifications on a road project in Africa.
Representing the claimant in an ICC arbitration arising from an aborted geophysical study project in Africa.
Representing the owner of an LNG liquefaction facility in arbitrations arising from disputes under a gas supply agreement.
Representing a European gas distributor in an ICC arbitration involving operation of a gas price readjustment clause.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in arbitrations arising from delay and disruption of a road project in East Africa.
Representing a government in an ICC arbitration arising from an attempted privatization of a state-owned power plant.
Representing the manufacturer of precision equipment for an industrial glass factory in a Vienna Rules arbitration arising from a dispute with an installation subcontractor.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in ICC arbitration arising from its work as electro-mechanical subcontractor on a hydroelectric project in Southeast Asia.
Representing western European investors in an ICC arbitration arising from a shareholders' dispute following privatization of a cement plant in eastern Europe.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in ICC arbitration arising from construction of a steel tube plant in Europe.
Insights
Thought Leadership
July 10, 2020
James Castello Joins Faculty for Annual Summer Course on International Arbitration at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México
Thought Leadership
July 10, 2020
James Castello Appointed to Leadership Position in Institute for Transnational Arbitration
News
Recognition
July 10, 2020
King & Spalding Earns Top Spot on Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 30 Ranking
Recognition
July 1, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes Europe-based King & Spalding Lawyers in its 2021 Guides
Recognition
March 12, 2020
Chambers Europe Ranks King & Spalding Among Top International Law Firms in its 2020 Guide
Matters
Representing a supplier of heavy machinery in an ICC arbitration arising from an African port development project.
Representing a respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) arising from disputed control of an oil refinery.
Representing a European energy company in an ICSID arbitration arising from its failure to receive gas under a long-term supply contract.
See more
Close
Matters
Representing a supplier of heavy machinery in an ICC arbitration arising from an African port development project.
Representing a respondent in a UNCITRAL arbitration brought under a bilateral investment treaty (BIT) arising from disputed control of an oil refinery.
Representing a European energy company in an ICSID arbitration arising from its failure to receive gas under a long-term supply contract.
Advising an international construction joint venture in arbitrations and dispute resolution board proceedings arising from construction of a high-speed rail project.
Representing a European gas company in an ICC arbitration arising from a gas price reopener dispute with an African gas producer.
Advising an international construction engineering firm during a dispute review board proceeding on issues arising from construction of a harbor tunnel.
Representing a European commodities trader in an ad hoc arbitration arising from a breached agreement for sale and delivery of goods in the CIS.
Representing an international construction firm in a dispute concerning asphalt specifications on a road project in Africa.
Representing the claimant in an ICC arbitration arising from an aborted geophysical study project in Africa.
Representing the owner of an LNG liquefaction facility in arbitrations arising from disputes under a gas supply agreement.
Representing a European gas distributor in an ICC arbitration involving operation of a gas price readjustment clause.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in arbitrations arising from delay and disruption of a road project in East Africa.
Representing a government in an ICC arbitration arising from an attempted privatization of a state-owned power plant.
Representing the manufacturer of precision equipment for an industrial glass factory in a Vienna Rules arbitration arising from a dispute with an installation subcontractor.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in ICC arbitration arising from its work as electro-mechanical subcontractor on a hydroelectric project in Southeast Asia.
Representing western European investors in an ICC arbitration arising from a shareholders' dispute following privatization of a cement plant in eastern Europe.
Representing an international construction engineering firm in ICC arbitration arising from construction of a steel tube plant in Europe.
Insights
Thought Leadership
July 10, 2020
James Castello Joins Faculty for Annual Summer Course on International Arbitration at Instituto Tecnológico Autónomo de México
Thought Leadership
July 10, 2020
James Castello Appointed to Leadership Position in Institute for Transnational Arbitration
News
Recognition
July 10, 2020
King & Spalding Earns Top Spot on Global Arbitration Review’s GAR 30 Ranking
Recognition
July 1, 2020
Best Lawyers Recognizes Europe-based King & Spalding Lawyers in its 2021 Guides
Recognition
March 12, 2020
Chambers Europe Ranks King & Spalding Among Top International Law Firms in its 2020 Guide
Credentials
J.D., University of California, Berkeley, Order of the Coif
M.A. in Economics, University of California, Berkeley
B.A., Yale University
District of Columbia
New York
Paris
Law Clerk, Thurgood Marshall, Supreme Court of the United States
Law Clerk, William J. Brennan, Jr., Supreme Court of the United States
Law Clerk, Howard Holtzmann, Iran-United States Claims Tribunal
Law Clerk, Abner J. Mikva, U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit
English
French
Close
Recognition
"James Castello ... 'charms arbitration tribunals' and is 'well known ...and widely recommended,' according to clients."
International Who's Who Construction Lawyers (2019)
“[One client] describes partners Doak Bishop and James Castello as “the very best the company has ever worked with.”
Global Arbitration Review - "GAR 30 (2019)"
In Paris, the "‘excellent’ practice head James Castello ... has ‘very strong forensic skills and is detail-oriented.'"
Legal 500 EMEA (2019)
Construction Law
International Who's Who of Construction Lawyers, 2017
“A well-respected practitioner and incisive presenter of facts."
Chambers Global, 2016
"‘Extensive, in-depth experience’ in international arbitration.”
Chambers Global, 2016, quoting a client
An “illustrious” senior arbitrator and counsel
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016
A "top specialist" in large infrastructure and commercial projects, especially in the energy sector.
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016
“A ‘great brain’ and ‘one of the reasons [King & Spalding] is so good in Paris.’”
International Who’s Who of Commercial Arbitration, 2016, quoting a client
“A ‘talented individual’ who enjoys a ‘prestigious reputation’ in the international arbitration field.”
Who’s Who Legal France, 2015
“Notable expertise in handling large investor-state cases and disputes related to commercial issues in the energy sector
Chambers Global, 2015, quoting a client
“He's at the top of my list, without a doubt.”
Chambers Global, 2015, quoting a client
“‘Outstanding’ and ‘among the best worldwide’”
Global Arbitration Review 100, 2015, quoting a client
“The Paris team handles key investment and commercial oil and gas disputes in the Middle East and Asia.”
Legal 500 France, 2015, quoting clients
“Practice head Eric Schwartz and James Castello have ‘excellent reputations’ and form ‘an excellent team.’”
Legal 500 France, 2015, quoting clients
“An expert in this field.”
Chambers Europe (France), 2014
“Highly experienced in the energy sector.”
Chambers Global, 2013
“Interviewees laud his ability to readily handle technically complex issues."
Chambers Global, 2013
"Very up to speed on new technologies” says one source
Chambers Global, 2013
“Able to quickly absorb the entire history of the case, including exchanges that took place before he handled it.”
Chambers Global, 2013
“[Has] close ties with some of the European arbitration institutions.”
Chambers Global, 2010
“Praised by market commentators as an ‘absolutely open, thorough, fantastic lawyer.’”
Chambers Global, 2010, quoting sources