Abby Cohen SMUTNY
Abby Cohen Smutny for many years has been recognized as one of the world's most prominent international arbitration practitioners, ranked as a Global Band 1 practitioner by Chambers Global. With over 35 years of experience, she has secured numerous landmark victories for her clients involving billions of dollars in claims. She is the former Global Head of White & Case's award winning International Arbitration Practice.
She has been described in Chambers as "fantastic," and as "a phenomenal lawyer, without doubt," and as "major force in treaty arbitrations… smart, practical and... both aggressive and diplomatic." Chambers also has observed that she is "renowned for her 'thorough and technical' preparation, as well as her 'vigorous and energetic' advocacy", stating "you can't go to a better practitioner, especially on cutting-edge cases."
Global Arbitration Review has quoted clients who describe her as "a motivational powerhouse" whose "determination and motivation to succeed was a critical factor in our success."
The International Who's Who of Commercial Arbitration noted her "virtually unrivalled knowledge of state responsibility and investment treaty protection."
The Legal 500 has described her as an "exceptional counsel who impresses with reliable strategic judgment and excellent advocacy skills," and as a "powerhouse … the best."
Ms. Smutny's experience includes matters relating to a wide range of industries including banking, financial services, oil & gas, mining, electric power, real estate development, water supply, retail, pharmaceuticals, construction, tobacco, railroads, telecommunications and manufacturing.
She has significant experience managing claims arising out of project financing, privatizations, natural resource concessions, contracts with States and state-entities and political risk insurance.
She has experience with arbitrations under all major arbitral institutions and rules including ICSID, ICC, LCIA, AAA/ICDR, VIAC, SIAC, HKIAC, and the SCC, as well as in ad hoc arbitrations, including under the UNCITRAL Rules and before the PCA. Her experience includes both commercial arbitration and as well as investor-State arbitration under bilateral investment treaties (BITs), the Energy Charter Treaty (ECT), the USMCA and the NAFTA, the DR-CAFTA and the ASEAN treaty.
