Hugo Varenne is an associate in the Paris office of Latham & Watkins and a member of the International Arbitration Practice. He advises clients on the resolution of high-stakes, complex international disputes.

Mr. Varenne also advises in international arbitrations under the ICSID, ICC, and SCC Rules, with a particular focus on investment and commercial disputes involving Latin America.

 

Mr. Varenne's experience includes advising:

  • The Republic of Colombia in an ICSID arbitration under the Canada – Colombia Free Trade Agreement relating to the adoption of certain regulatory measures in the gold mining sector intended to protect páramo (moorland) ecosystems
  • The State of Ukraine in an SCC arbitration in which the claimants claimed more than US$6 billion for alleged breaches of the ECT (Littop Enterprises Limited and others v. Ukraine); the tribunal unanimously dismissed the case, which was the largest ever brought against Ukraine, for lack of jurisdiction
  • A technology company in an ICC arbitration against a key supplier concerning a tortious conspiracy and the non-conformity of products with contractual specification
  • A national oil company in a range of complex PSC, JOA, and supply disputes valued in the multiple billions of dollars
  • The Republic of Colombia in an ICSID arbitration against Gran Colombia under Chapter 8 of the Canada-Colombia FTA; the dispute relates to Colombia’s alleged failure to evict illegal miners in a gold and mining concern located in the northwest of Colombia, and a host State’s obligation to guarantee full protection and security to a foreign investor; the investor claims that the measures amount to a breach of the minimum standard of treatment under the Canada-Colombia FTA 
  • Three Mexican companies in an ICC arbitration against the EPC contractor and asset manager of their renewable energy-producing facilities
  • A Swiss financial holding company in relation to an expropriation claim against a Western African State

Bar Qualification

  • Avocat (Paris)
  • England and Wales (Solicitor)

Education

  • LPC, BPP Law School, Holborn, 2017
  • GDL, BPP Law School, Waterloo, 2016
  • BA in Philosophy & Economics, McGill University, 2014

Languages Spoken

  • English