jeffrey.sullivan@gibsondunn.com
TEL:+44 (0)20 7071 4231
FAX:+44 (0)20 7070 9231
Telephone House, 2-4 Temple Avenue, London, EC4Y 0HB United Kingdom
Jeff Sullivan is a U.S. and English qualified partner in the London office of Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, where he is a member of the firm’s International Arbitration Group. Mr Sullivan represents clients in both commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, as well as all aspects of public international law. Mr Sullivan also regularly sits as arbitrator.
Mr Sullivan’s practice has a particular focus on disputes arising in the energy, extractive industries and infrastructure sectors. His experience includes handling disputes arising out of long-term supply agreements, concession agreements, production sharing and operating agreements, joint venture agreements, EPC and other construction agreements. Mr Sullivan has also acted as counsel and lead advocate in more than 30 bilateral investment treaty and Energy Charter Treaty arbitrations. He has advised States in Europe, Central Asia and the Middle East on the negotiation and drafting of trade and investment treaties.
Mr Sullivan’s recent representations include advising a US company in a US $4 billion ICC arbitration arising out of an Middle Eastern infrastructure project; acting for an Asian government in an UNCITRAL arbitration in a US $750 million commercial dispute with a concessionaire in a transport project; acting for 25 different international investors in renewable energy projects in 10 separate ICSID and UNICTRAL arbitration claims against the Kingdom of Spain under the Energy Charter Treaty involving claims in excess of US $2.5 billion; and a Cypriot company in two parallel LCIA arbitrations with the amount in dispute in excess of US $2.2billion
Mr Sullivan is a Member of the ICC UK Arbitration & ADR Nominations Committee, a member of the Energy Charter Treaty Secretariat’s Legal Advisory Task Force, an Executive Board Member of the European Federation for Investment Law and Arbitration and an Executive Committee Member of the Foundation for International Arbitration Advocacy.
He is consistently ranked as a leading individual by the major legal directories, including Chambers & Partners and Legal 500. Chambers UK 2021 describe him as “truly excellent in investor-state arbitration. He’s extremely practical, very effective and knows how to get results” and a “very strong lawyer who is very client-friendly.” Chambers UK 2020 noted his “ability to grasp the essentials of a complex matter and very impressive tactical skills.” Chambers UK 2019 described him as “very communicative and very thorough, with a knowledge of arbitration that was second to none” and “a consummate professional and has an unbelievable command over his cases.” Chambers UK 2018 noted that “Jeff has always displayed an excellent tactical mind, a high level of client commitment and an impressive ability to grasp complicated, nuanced matters very quickly”. Chambers UK 2016 noted “Team leader Jeffrey Sullivan is a well-known figure in the London PIL market, with substantial expertise in handling investment treaty disputes and ECT claims. He counts both states and commercial entities as clients, frequently representing them before international tribunals. Peers deem him a ‘genuine specialist’ in PIL.” He is also ranked in Best Lawyers UK 2021 for International Arbitration.
Representative Transactions*:
* Includes experience prior to joining Gibson Dunn
Selected published work
University College London - 2006 Master of Laws (LL.M.)
University of Florida - 1999 Juris Doctor
University of Florida - 1996 Bachelor of Arts
District of Columbia Bar
England & Wales - Solicitor
Florida Bar