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Partner
Trial and Global Disputes
/ International Arbitration and Litigation
Reggie Smith's practice focus is international arbitration and cross-border litigation, with a particular specialty in handling commercial disputes in the energy sector as well as representing investors in disputes with sovereigns that have taken actions to either destroy or impair investments through conduct ranging from outright expropriations to the revocation or modification of investment incentive programs.
Relying on years of experience in representing companies and individuals in significant business litigation disputes in U.S. courts, Reggie brings advocacy skills to his international arbitration and cross-border litigation practice that have yielded some of the largest investment arbitration awards and court judgments on record. For example, Reggie served as co-lead counsel in a suit against Argentina in federal court in New York that resulted in the largest judgment ever rendered against a sovereign by a U.S. court. As lead counsel in an arbitration for a European oil and gas company against the Government of Kazakhstan, Reggie secured the largest award on record at the time under the Energy Charter Treaty. Reggie similarly took the lead in representing an investor against the Government of Egypt relating to the expropriation of a real estate project that resulted in the largest award on record for an individual claimant. Reggie also served as lead counsel in obtaining the largest moral damages award on record for an investor in an investment dispute against Vietnam. Reggie has prosecuted over 40 cases for investors against sovereigns under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties.
Using experience developed as a seasoned oil and gas litigator in the U.S. courts, Reggie also has deep expertise in representing energy companies in international and domestic commercial arbitration disputes. Whether the disputes involve the oil and gas sector or renewable energy projects, Reggie has taken the lead in representing some of the world's largest energy companies in high-stakes arbitrations.
While clients routinely entrust Reggie to serve as their advocate in high stakes arbitrations and litigations, they also look to him as a trusted strategic advisor in helping them manage their disputes to reach a commercial solution that serves their long-term best interests. Reggie well understands that clients are not in the business of litigating their disputes, and litigation is simply a tool to be used in reaching a commercial resolution that furthers the client’s business goals.
J.D., University of Georgia, Magna Cum Laude
B.A., Emory University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
M.A., Emory University
Georgia
Texas
American Bar Association
Houston County Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Texas
November 18, 2024
Reggie Smith Elected to the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution’s (CPR) Board of Directors
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
International Commercial Arbitration Disputes
Representing an oil and gas company in a commercial arbitration (ad hoc) with a sovereign over claims exceeding $1.5 billion relating to the alleged drainage of oil and gas resources.
Representing two steel manufacturing and iron ore mining companies in a breach of contact arbitration (ICC) against Nigeria relating to the breach of concession and shareholder agreements relating to steel plants and an iron ore mine.
Representing Dubai-based iron ore mining companies in a breach of contract arbitration (ad hoc) with a Middle Eastern state-owned mining company.
See more
September 4, 2020
Arbitration Team of The Month (September) – King & Spalding
November 18, 2024
Reggie Smith Elected to the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution’s (CPR) Board of Directors
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
International Commercial Arbitration Disputes
Representing an oil and gas company in a commercial arbitration (ad hoc) with a sovereign over claims exceeding $1.5 billion relating to the alleged drainage of oil and gas resources.
Representing two steel manufacturing and iron ore mining companies in a breach of contact arbitration (ICC) against Nigeria relating to the breach of concession and shareholder agreements relating to steel plants and an iron ore mine.
Representing Dubai-based iron ore mining companies in a breach of contract arbitration (ad hoc) with a Middle Eastern state-owned mining company.
See more
September 4, 2020
Arbitration Team of The Month (September) – King & Spalding
November 18, 2024
Reggie Smith Elected to the International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution’s (CPR) Board of Directors
October 9, 2024
Benchmark Litigation Recognizes King & Spalding as a Leading Litigation Firm
J.D., University of Georgia, Magna Cum Laude
B.A., Emory University, summa cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa
M.A., Emory University
Georgia
Texas
American Bar Association
Houston County Bar Association
State Bar of Georgia
State Bar of Texas