James Lloyd Loftis is the chair of Vinson & Elkins LLP’s international dispute resolution practice, and focuses on international commercial arbitration and investor-state disputes, particularly disputes involving state contracts and investment agreements.

His practice includes disputes in a number of industries, including all aspects of energy and infrastructure development and construction, as well as mergers and acquisitions, and project finance, technology and environmental services, and sovereign debt. He also represents and advises clients in antitrust matters and international and cross-border litigation, including handling or managing arbitral award enforcement in a number of jurisdictions.

James has acted in arbitrations around the world under the rules of the ICC, LCIA, AAA, ICSID, and UNCITRAL, and several regional institutions. He has expertise in investor-state relations and disputes, as well as the resolution of disputes under bilateral and multilateral investment treaties and particular infrainfrastructure development agreements, such as BOT and BOMT projects.

He is a member of the ICC Commission on Arbitration, is listed in Euromoney’s Expert Guide to Commercial Arbitration, and is ranked in international arbitration in both Chambers Global and Chambers USA. He is listed in The Best Lawyers in America for international arbitration.

From 1997 to 2000, James served in Geneva as chief counsel for the Oil Sector and Construction and Engineering Panels of the United Nations Compensation Commission (the Gulf War claims tribunal).

James also advises investors on investment laws and international investment treaties, and assists in structuring transactions to manage international dispute risk, including compliance and FCPA obligations, and in the development of dispute resolution agreements.