LONDON and NEW YORK, November 28, 2023 – Baker Botts L.L.P., a leading international energy, technology and life sciences law firm, is pleased to announce the 100^th anniversary of its International Disputes practice. The establishment of the practice in November 1923, which arose out of efforts to restore global peace in the aftermath of World War I, helped to propel Baker Botts into a truly global law firm.

The firm continues to expand its international reach, most recently with the opening of an office in Singapore and the addition of an International Disputes team in Washington, D.C., from Sidley Austin in August.

Today, Baker Botts’ International Disputes team, although based in several offices globally, operates as a single worldwide unit. Working without regard to office boundaries allows the firm to assist clients on their high-profile disputes throughout the world. The multinational team of common law and civil law trained lawyers speaks more than 10 languages.

The practice started 100 years ago, when former partner Edwin Parker, who served as the firm’s managing partner and was general counsel of Texaco and President of Houston Lighting and Power (all while serving as a Baker Botts partner), helped organize the War Industries Board and the Priorities Commission, by appointment of Woodrow Wilson.  After World War I ended, he was appointed chairman of the U.S. Liquidation Commission, which liquidated all of the surplus U.S. arms in Europe. 

His most important assignment was as umpire of the Mixed Claims Commission for the United States and Germany in 1923, which was established to help ensure the peaceful settlement of international disputes through arbitration.  The Mixed Claims Commission settled the outstanding legal disputes with Germany relating to the war. Its most notable decision was the settlement of claims arising out of the sinking of the British ocean liner, the Lusitania, on which 128 Americans, among many others, died.  

Umpire Parker - while still a Baker Botts partner – issued his decision in November 1923, awarding compensation to the many victims who died or suffered losses that day.  Following Parker’s death, the Parker School of Foreign and Comparative Law at Columbia Law School was established in his honor.

A standout feature of Baker Botts International Disputes team is its expertise in the energy sector, working regularly on major international cases for heavyweight corporates and sovereign states. In addition to the team’s industry sector focus, which also includes a concentration of arbitration work in the technology sector, there are several geographical regions in which the firm excels – the Middle East and Latin America foremost among them. Most recently, the firm was awarded ‘International Arbitration Team of the Year’ at the Legal Business Awards for its victory on behalf of the Republic of Iraq.

ABOUT BAKER BOTTS L.L.P.
Baker Botts is an international law firm whose lawyers practice throughout a network of offices around the globe. Based on our experience and knowledge of our clients' industries, we are recognized as a leading firm in the energy, technology and life sciences sectors. Since 1840, we have provided creative and effective legal solutions for our clients while demonstrating an unrelenting commitment to excellence. For more information, please visit bakerbotts.com.