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Craig Miles specializes in domestic and international arbitration of investment disputes and commercial matters. A partner in our International Arbitration practice, Craig represents clients before arbitral tribunals worldwide.

Craig represents foreign investors in disputes with host governments, primarily before the World Bank’s International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and private parties in commercial disputes before the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), the American Arbitration Association (AAA), and other domestic and international arbitral institutions.

Craig has first- or second-chaired dozens of arbitration hearings involving disputes throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East, with particularly strong experience in bilateral investment treaty (BIT) disputes in the oil and gas, mining and infrastructure sectors, as well as in Latin America. He is regularly called upon to handle the quantum aspects of clients’ most significant disputes.

Among Craig's recent cases are some of the largest BIT awards and settlements ever obtained by foreign investors against the governments of Argentina, Algeria, Bolivia, Ecuador, Egypt, Romania, Venezuela and Vietnam, among others. He also acts as lead external counsel to the Arbitration Committee of the USA Rice Millers Association, a trade group that has administered dozens of arbitrations involving the rice industry worldwide.

In 2011, Craig was named to the Global Arbitration Review’s “45 Under 45” list of the world’s leading international arbitration practitioners under the age of 45. Also, he has been frequently recognized in Chambers Global, Chambers USA, Chambers Latin America, Who’s Who, The Best Lawyers in America, The Legal 500, Latin Lawyer, and Law Dragon.

A native English speaker who is also proficient in Spanish, French and Portuguese, Craig frequently speaks and writes on international arbitration issues.

Full Bio

Credentials

J.D., University of Houston

A.B., Cornell University

Florida

Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

American Bar Association

Brazil Texas Chamber of Commerce

Houston Bar Association

ICCA Foundation

International Bar Association

Spanish

500 Leading Global Litigators


LAW DRAGON, 2023-2024

Named to “45 Under 45” list


Global Arbitration Review, 2011

International Commercial Arbitration


Who’s Who Legal, 2009–2024

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Chambers Latin America, 2011–2024

International Arbitration: Commercial and Governmental


Best Lawyers in America, 2010–2021 (Lawyer of the Year-Houston-International Arbiration-Commercial-2019)

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Legal 500 Latin America, 2013–2020, 2024

International Arbitration: Nationwide


Chambers USA, 2010–2020

International Arbitration


Latin Lawyer 250, 2008–2020

GAR 100


Global Arbitration Review, 2009–2020

International Arbitration: Global


Chambers Global, 2007, 2019-2024

Close

Recognition

500 Leading Global Litigators


LAW DRAGON, 2023-2024

Named to “45 Under 45” list


Global Arbitration Review, 2011

International Commercial Arbitration


Who’s Who Legal, 2009–2024

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Chambers Latin America, 2011–2024

International Arbitration: Commercial and Governmental


Best Lawyers in America, 2010–2021 (Lawyer of the Year-Houston-International Arbiration-Commercial-2019)

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Legal 500 Latin America, 2013–2020, 2024

International Arbitration: Nationwide


Chambers USA, 2010–2020

International Arbitration


Latin Lawyer 250, 2008–2020

GAR 100


Global Arbitration Review, 2009–2020

International Arbitration: Global


Chambers Global, 2007, 2019-2024

Matters

Representing an Indonesian pulp company in a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitration in Brazil arising from a share purchase agreement.

Representing a major integrated oil & gas producer in a multi-billion-dollar UNCITRAL arbitration against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from fraudulent judgments issued against the client in Ecuadorian courts.

Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to compression agreements in a major oilfield in Mexico, leading to a US$ 40 million settlement for the client.

See more

Close

Matters

Representing an Indonesian pulp company in a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitration in Brazil arising from a share purchase agreement.

Representing a major integrated oil & gas producer in a multi-billion-dollar UNCITRAL arbitration against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from fraudulent judgments issued against the client in Ecuadorian courts.

Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to compression agreements in a major oilfield in Mexico, leading to a US$ 40 million settlement for the client.

Representing Odyssey Marine Exploration in a NAFTA UNCITRAL arbitration relating to a halted mining project, obtaining a US$ 37 million award for the client.

Representing The Williams Companies in an ICSID (AF) arbitration against Venezuela arising from the nationalization of multiple state-of-the-art gas compression plants.

Representing a global infrastructure developer in an ICSID arbitration against Peru and three related commercial arbitrations arising from canceled concessions to build and operate fiber-optic networks in remote areas of the country. The commercial arbitrations resulted in an award of US$ 177 million in favor of the client.

Representing a group of Kuwaiti investors in an ICSID arbitration against Egypt in a dispute arising from a revoked concession to develop an agricultural project and potential new city outside of Cairo, obtaining an award of US$ 18.5 million.

Representing an international pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration against another international pharmaceutical company in a dispute relating to the sale of certain Mexican subsidiaries.

Representing Dutch investors in obtaining an award (including moral damages) in an UNCITRAL BIT arbitration against a Southeast Asian State, in a dispute alleging unlawful confiscation of real estate and other assets without compensation. See press article here.

Representing a global mining company in a BIT dispute against a South American State arising from the closure of a producing mine.

Representing Salini Impregilo (n/k/a WeBuild) in its ICSID claim against Argentina under the Italy-Argentina BIT, arising from the termination of a bridge and tollway concession. In February 2018, the Tribunal upheld its jurisdiction over the claim, see Decision on Jurisdiction here, and later issues a Decision on Liability in favor of the client with a final damages award pending.

Representing a major U.S. refining company in an International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) arbitration arising from the multi-billion-dollar construction of a refinery expansion project on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Representing a U.S. integrated energy company in obtaining a complete declaratory victory in an Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission (IACAC) arbitration against a South American State-owned oil company relating to the royalty-adjustment clauses in a concession agreement.

Representing Bear Creek Mining Co. in obtaining an ICSID award against Peru in an arbitration under the Canada-Peru FTA arising from Peru’s revocation of one of the company’s mining concessions. See Award here.

Representing South American Silver Corp. in obtaining an award in its UNCITRAL arbitration against Bolivia under the UK-Bolivia BIT arising from Bolivia’s nationalization of the company’s mining concession. See Award here.

Representing Burlington Resources Inc. in obtaining an ICSID arbitration award against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT arising from Ecuador’s nationalization of two of the company’s producing blocks. See Award here.

Representing affiliates of Grupo Marsans in their successful ICSID claim against Argentina under the Spain-Argentina BIT, arising from Argentina’s nationalization of the clients’ investments in the Argentine airlines Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral. See Decision on Jurisdiction here. See Award here. See Decision on Annulment here.

Representing Murphy Oil in obtaining an UNCITRAL award against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from Ecuador’s unilateral modification of the participation formula in an oil production contract. The Tribunal had previously upheld its jurisdiction over the claim in 2013. See Partial Final Award here. See Partial Award on Jurisdiction here.

Representing affiliates of ExxonMobil in obtaining a (non-published) award in 2016 against Argentina under the U.S.-Argentina BIT for imposing measures affecting the clients’ investments in the oil & gas sector. The Tribunal previously issued a (non-published) Decision on Jurisdiction and Liability in 2013.

Representing the principals of European Food and Drinks Group in obtaining an ICSID award against Romania under the Sweden-Romania BIT, arising from Romania’s revocation of certain customs-tax exemptions that underlay the investment in substantial food and beverage manufacturing facilities in an economically-disadvantaged region of northwestern Romania. See Award here.

Representing an affiliate of Exterran Holdings in its ICSID claim against Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela BIT, arising from Venezuela’s nationalization of substantially all of the company’s assets, operations and facilities in Venezuela. After the hearing on the merits took place in July 2012, the case settled for a reported US $442 million. See press release here.

Representing El Paso in obtaining an ICSID award against Argentina under the U.S.-Argentina BIT for imposing measures affecting the regulatory frameworks governing the electricity and oil & gas sectors. See Award here. See Decision on Jurisdiction here.

Representing Impregilo S.p.A. in obtaining an ICSID award against Argentina under the Italy-Argentina BIT, arising from the termination of a water concession in the Province of Buenos Aires. An ICSID annulment committee subsequently upheld the award in full. See Decision on Annulment here. See Award here.

Insights

Article · Source: The Guide to International Arbitration in Latin America - Second Edition

November 21, 2023
Key Mining Disputes in Latin America

Article · Source: The Guide to Damages in International Arbitration - Fifth Edition

December 19, 2022
Overview of Principles Reducing Damages

View all

Matters

Representing an Indonesian pulp company in a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitration in Brazil arising from a share purchase agreement.

Representing a major integrated oil & gas producer in a multi-billion-dollar UNCITRAL arbitration against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from fraudulent judgments issued against the client in Ecuadorian courts.

Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to compression agreements in a major oilfield in Mexico, leading to a US$ 40 million settlement for the client.

See more

Close

Matters

Representing an Indonesian pulp company in a multi-billion-dollar ICC arbitration in Brazil arising from a share purchase agreement.

Representing a major integrated oil & gas producer in a multi-billion-dollar UNCITRAL arbitration against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from fraudulent judgments issued against the client in Ecuadorian courts.

Representing a global oilfield services company in an ICC arbitration relating to compression agreements in a major oilfield in Mexico, leading to a US$ 40 million settlement for the client.

Representing Odyssey Marine Exploration in a NAFTA UNCITRAL arbitration relating to a halted mining project, obtaining a US$ 37 million award for the client.

Representing The Williams Companies in an ICSID (AF) arbitration against Venezuela arising from the nationalization of multiple state-of-the-art gas compression plants.

Representing a global infrastructure developer in an ICSID arbitration against Peru and three related commercial arbitrations arising from canceled concessions to build and operate fiber-optic networks in remote areas of the country. The commercial arbitrations resulted in an award of US$ 177 million in favor of the client.

Representing a group of Kuwaiti investors in an ICSID arbitration against Egypt in a dispute arising from a revoked concession to develop an agricultural project and potential new city outside of Cairo, obtaining an award of US$ 18.5 million.

Representing an international pharmaceutical company in an ICC arbitration against another international pharmaceutical company in a dispute relating to the sale of certain Mexican subsidiaries.

Representing Dutch investors in obtaining an award (including moral damages) in an UNCITRAL BIT arbitration against a Southeast Asian State, in a dispute alleging unlawful confiscation of real estate and other assets without compensation. See press article here.

Representing a global mining company in a BIT dispute against a South American State arising from the closure of a producing mine.

Representing Salini Impregilo (n/k/a WeBuild) in its ICSID claim against Argentina under the Italy-Argentina BIT, arising from the termination of a bridge and tollway concession. In February 2018, the Tribunal upheld its jurisdiction over the claim, see Decision on Jurisdiction here, and later issues a Decision on Liability in favor of the client with a final damages award pending.

Representing a major U.S. refining company in an International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) arbitration arising from the multi-billion-dollar construction of a refinery expansion project on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Representing a U.S. integrated energy company in obtaining a complete declaratory victory in an Inter-American Commercial Arbitration Commission (IACAC) arbitration against a South American State-owned oil company relating to the royalty-adjustment clauses in a concession agreement.

Representing Bear Creek Mining Co. in obtaining an ICSID award against Peru in an arbitration under the Canada-Peru FTA arising from Peru’s revocation of one of the company’s mining concessions. See Award here.

Representing South American Silver Corp. in obtaining an award in its UNCITRAL arbitration against Bolivia under the UK-Bolivia BIT arising from Bolivia’s nationalization of the company’s mining concession. See Award here.

Representing Burlington Resources Inc. in obtaining an ICSID arbitration award against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT arising from Ecuador’s nationalization of two of the company’s producing blocks. See Award here.

Representing affiliates of Grupo Marsans in their successful ICSID claim against Argentina under the Spain-Argentina BIT, arising from Argentina’s nationalization of the clients’ investments in the Argentine airlines Aerolíneas Argentinas and Austral. See Decision on Jurisdiction here. See Award here. See Decision on Annulment here.

Representing Murphy Oil in obtaining an UNCITRAL award against Ecuador under the U.S.-Ecuador BIT, arising from Ecuador’s unilateral modification of the participation formula in an oil production contract. The Tribunal had previously upheld its jurisdiction over the claim in 2013. See Partial Final Award here. See Partial Award on Jurisdiction here.

Representing affiliates of ExxonMobil in obtaining a (non-published) award in 2016 against Argentina under the U.S.-Argentina BIT for imposing measures affecting the clients’ investments in the oil & gas sector. The Tribunal previously issued a (non-published) Decision on Jurisdiction and Liability in 2013.

Representing the principals of European Food and Drinks Group in obtaining an ICSID award against Romania under the Sweden-Romania BIT, arising from Romania’s revocation of certain customs-tax exemptions that underlay the investment in substantial food and beverage manufacturing facilities in an economically-disadvantaged region of northwestern Romania. See Award here.

Representing an affiliate of Exterran Holdings in its ICSID claim against Venezuela under the Spain-Venezuela BIT, arising from Venezuela’s nationalization of substantially all of the company’s assets, operations and facilities in Venezuela. After the hearing on the merits took place in July 2012, the case settled for a reported US $442 million. See press release here.

Representing El Paso in obtaining an ICSID award against Argentina under the U.S.-Argentina BIT for imposing measures affecting the regulatory frameworks governing the electricity and oil & gas sectors. See Award here. See Decision on Jurisdiction here.

Representing Impregilo S.p.A. in obtaining an ICSID award against Argentina under the Italy-Argentina BIT, arising from the termination of a water concession in the Province of Buenos Aires. An ICSID annulment committee subsequently upheld the award in full. See Decision on Annulment here. See Award here.

Insights

Article · Source: The Guide to International Arbitration in Latin America - Second Edition

November 21, 2023
Key Mining Disputes in Latin America

Article · Source: The Guide to Damages in International Arbitration - Fifth Edition

December 19, 2022
Overview of Principles Reducing Damages

View all

Credentials

J.D., University of Houston

A.B., Cornell University

Florida

Texas

U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit

U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas

American Bar Association

Brazil Texas Chamber of Commerce

Houston Bar Association

ICCA Foundation

International Bar Association

Spanish

500 Leading Global Litigators


LAW DRAGON, 2023-2024

Named to “45 Under 45” list


Global Arbitration Review, 2011

International Commercial Arbitration


Who’s Who Legal, 2009–2024

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Chambers Latin America, 2011–2024

International Arbitration: Commercial and Governmental


Best Lawyers in America, 2010–2021 (Lawyer of the Year-Houston-International Arbiration-Commercial-2019)

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Legal 500 Latin America, 2013–2020, 2024

International Arbitration: Nationwide


Chambers USA, 2010–2020

International Arbitration


Latin Lawyer 250, 2008–2020

GAR 100


Global Arbitration Review, 2009–2020

International Arbitration: Global


Chambers Global, 2007, 2019-2024

Close

Recognition

500 Leading Global Litigators


LAW DRAGON, 2023-2024

Named to “45 Under 45” list


Global Arbitration Review, 2011

International Commercial Arbitration


Who’s Who Legal, 2009–2024

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Chambers Latin America, 2011–2024

International Arbitration: Commercial and Governmental


Best Lawyers in America, 2010–2021 (Lawyer of the Year-Houston-International Arbiration-Commercial-2019)

International Arbitration: Latin America-wide


Legal 500 Latin America, 2013–2020, 2024

International Arbitration: Nationwide


Chambers USA, 2010–2020

International Arbitration


Latin Lawyer 250, 2008–2020

GAR 100


Global Arbitration Review, 2009–2020

International Arbitration: Global


Chambers Global, 2007, 2019-2024