Gabriela Alvarez-Avila

Partner
US-LatAm Practice Group Regional Co-Leader, International Arbitration
"Gabriela Alvarez-Avila shows exceptional expertise in navigating challenging arbitration cases. Her dedication to our interests has been instrumental in achieving favourable outcomes."
Mexico City
About

Gabriela Alvarez-Avila focuses her practice on international arbitration as well as international and investment law. She is experienced in complex and high-stake transactions related to infrastructure projects, banking, electricity, telecommunications, and oil and gas.

Gabriela has represented investors, states, governmental entities and state-owned companies in international arbitrations under the arbitration rules of the International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA). She has also acted as president of tribunals and as co-arbitrator in arbitrations under the UNCITRAL Rules, the ICC Rules and the Arbitration Center of Mexico Rules (CAM).

Gabriela was designated in the ICSID Panel of Arbitrators by Mexico, the Panama Arbitration and Conciliation Center and the Panel of Arbitrators for International Investment Arbitration of the Beijing International Arbitration Center. She was also appointed as member of the ICC Court of Arbitration for Mexico. She is also the former Chair of the ICC Mexico Investment Arbitration Committee, a member of the CAM Arbitration General Council, a former member of the CANACO Arbitration Commission and a member of the Instituto Mexicano de Arbitraje.

Areas of FocusLitigation, Arbitration and Investigations
Bar admissionsMexico
Gabriela Alvarez-Avila is an excellent and meticulous professional. She is one of the best lawyers I have been able to work with. A perfectionist who is always aware of the client's concerns.
— Client quoted in Chambers, Latin American Guide, (2023)
Respected dispute resolution practitioner Gabriela Alvarez-Avila of DLA Piper benefits from solid expertise assisting clients with investment arbitration cases; she is an extraordinary lawyer, one of the most experienced ones in arbitration, and enjoys several years of experience in the area.
— Client quoted in Chambers, Latin American Guide, (2023)

EXPERIENCE

  • Lead the defense for the Kingdom of Spain in an UNCITRAL investment arbitration in the banking sector, obtaining the dismissal of a US$500 million claim on the merits and US$ 8 million on costs and legal fees in favor of Spain
  • Lead an investment arbitration claim on behalf of a Canadian mining company in its North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) claim against Mexico
  • Lead the defense of a Peruvian subsidiary of a leading Israeli company in the agricultural sector in an ICC arbitration related to a US$75 million claim concerning two engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts for designing and installing an irrigation system in Peru
  • One of the lead counsel representing a US energy giant in a US$36 million, Spanish language, Mexican law ICC arbitration, seated in New York, arising out of a combined cycle power plant
  • Represented the Dutch subsidiary of a leading Israeli company in the agricultural sector in an ICC arbitration related to a claim concerning a distribution contract in Mexico
  • Lead the defense of a Latin American state in a UNCITRAL arbitration concerning a service agreement executed with a Latin American software company for the implementation of a computer system for the issuance of identity cards and electronic passports
  • Represented two investors in connection with their bilateral investment treaty (BIT) claim arising out of investments in the solar energy sector
  • Represented the Kingdom of Spain in an UNCITRAL arbitration of US$688 million related to the collapse of a Spanish Bank, obtaining the dismissal of the claims and US$8 million in costs and legal fees
  • Represented the Kingdom of Spain in an ICSID annulment proceeding, obtaining the annulment of the first award rendered against the State in the renewable energy sector
    • All costs were granted to the client, (Eiser Infrastructure and others c. Kingdom of Spain – ICSID Case No. ARB/13/36)
  • Represented Cameroon in an International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) arbitration of US$120 million in the banking sector, obtaining the dismissal of the claims for lack of ICSID jurisdiction, (Capital Financial Holdings Luxembourg, S.A. c. Republic of Cameroon – ICSID Case No. ARB/15/18)
  • Represented Kuwait in an ICSID arbitration of US$320 million related to a construction project in the tourism sector, obtaining the dismissal of all claims and the payment of all costs, (Almasyria for Operating & Maintenance Touristic Construction Co. L.L.C. c. Kuwait – ICSID Case No. ARB/18/2)
  • Represented Kazakhstan in an UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to a poultry project, obtaining the dismissal of the claims due to lack of jurisdiction, (Ruby Roz v. Kazakhstan)
  • Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration and its subsequent annulment proceeding in connection with a service contract in the Energy sector, obtaining a partial annulment of the award and an important reduction in the amount of the damages in favor of the State, (Tidewater Inc., and others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/10/5)
  • Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration in the energy sector, obtaining the dismissal of all claims due to lack of jurisdiction and a decision rejecting an application for annulment filed by the investor and granting costs, (Venoklim Holding B.V. c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/12/22)
  • Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration for US$18 billion in connection with the reform of the energy sector in Venezuela
    • The Tribunal admitted part of the jurisdictional objections filed by the State and reduced the damages to approximately US$1.4 billion
    • The annulment application filed by Venezuela was admitted and the award partially annulled, reducing the award to approximately $200 million
    • This represents the highest amount in damages annulled in the history of ICSID, (Venezuela Holdings, B.V. y others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/07/27)
  • Represented a Latin American state in an UNCITRAL arbitration in relation to a contractual claim in the energy sector
  • Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration for US$30 billion, related to the reform of the energy sector in Venezuela and the expropriation of a significant oil project, (ConocoPhillips Company and others c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/07/30)
  • Represented Kazakhstan in an ICSID arbitration for US$1.2 billion in relation to a dispute in the energy sector, obtaining the rejection of the claims and the granting of costs in favor of the State, (Caratube International Oil Company LLP c. Kazajistán – ICSID Case No. ARB/08/12)
  • Represented Venezuela in an ICSID arbitration initiated by Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Europe
    • In 2016, the majority of the Tribunal issued a decision accepting all of Venezuela's arguments on damages except one, including agreeing to apply a nominal discount rate of 19.88% and to reduce the claimant's claimed future profits by 25%, (Saint-Gobain Performance Plastics Europe c. Venezuela – ICSID Case No. ARB/12/13)
  • Represented a Mexican state-owned company in a LCIA arbitration relating to an infrastructure project in the energy sector for EU$45 million
  • Represented the Dominican Republic in an UNCITRAL arbitration for US$600 million in the renewable energy sector, (Michael Anthony Lee Chin v. Dominican Republic – ICSID Case No. UNCT/18/3)
  • Represented Turkmenistan in an ICSID arbitration in the construction sector, obtaining the dismissal of the claims for lack of jurisdiction, (Kiliç Ĭnşaat Ĭthalat Ĭhracat Sanayi Ve Ticaret Anonim Şirketi v. Turkmenistan – ICSID Case No. ARB/10/1)
  • President of the Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between a Mexican supply electricity company and a Mexican company active in the wholesale electricity market regarding a power purchase agreement
  • President of the Tribunal in an ICC arbitration between two Mexican companies regarding a share purchase agreement in connection with an infrastructure project in Mexico
Languages
  • English
  • Spanish
  • French

Awards

Chambers Latin America (15 years ranked)

  • Band 2, Mexico Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, (2022 – 2026)
  • Band 4, International Counsel – International Arbitration, (2022 – 2026)
  • In its most recent ranking for Chambers Latin America 2022, Gabriela is praised as a "phenomenal lawyer that has set notable international law precedents in arbitration with the awards handed down in cases she has participated in."

Chambers Global

  • Band 2, Mexico Dispute Resolution, Arbitration, (2025)
  • Band 4, Latin America International Counsel, International Arbitration, (2022 – 2025) 

The Legal 500 Latin America

  • Leading Partner, Mexico Dispute Resolution: Arbitration, (2022 – 2026)
  • Recommended, Latin America: International Firms, International Arbitration, (2022 – 2025)
  • Recognized, Latin America Arbitration Powerlist, (2021)
Additional Recognitions

Since 2016, Gabriela has been ranked in Latin Lawyer's "Women in Law: In celebration of female attributes," which describes her as a "role model and a mentor for young female lawyers who has made a name for herself in the challenging world of international arbitration." Latinvex named her to its list of Latin America's Top 100 Female Lawyers in the Arbitration & Litigation category for her exceptional work in international arbitration, most recently in 2025. She is also ranked among the top international arbitration lawyers by Chambers Global, Chambers Latin America, The Legal 500 and Who's Who Global: Arbitration.

Pro Bono

Gabriela is a founding member of the Board of Abogadas MX and regularly participates in their scholarship program. This non-profit association aims to support women in law, so that they may function in a professional, safe and inclusive environment, by promoting their leadership in the legal profession.

Education
  • J.D., National Autonomous University of Mexico
  • LL.M., University of Geneva
  • Ph.D. studies, University of Geneva Graduate Institute of International Law

Publications

  • Co-author, "Mexico: Enforcement of Judgements in Civil and Commercial Matters," The Legal 500
  • Co-author, "Doing Business in Mexico," Chambers Guide, July 2024
  • Co-author, "Provisional Measures in Investment Arbitration," Revista ALARB, Latino American Arbitration Association, (2024)
  • Co-author, "Doing Business in Mexico," Chambers Guide, July 2023
  • Co-author, "Doing Business in Mexico," Chambers Guide, August 2022

Seminars

  • Speaker, "Is the Mexican Judicial Reform a denial of Justice under the FET and MST?" Institute of Legal Research, May 21, 2025
  • Panelist, "Renewable energy projects and arbitration: diverging paths in the Americas," International Arbitration Day, London International Disputes Week (LIDW) Conference, June 2, 2025

Media Mentions

  • Mentioned, "Top Female Lawyers: The Standout Firms," Latinvex, October 10, 2024
  • Mentioned, "Mexicans Elect Ruling Party Candidate for the Presidency in Consolidation of Power," Law.com, June 3, 2024
  • Mentioned, "AMLO confuses USMCA chapter in dispute with the US and Canada," Reforma, July 28, 2022

Prior Experience

Before joining DLA Piper, Gabriela practiced at several major law firms in Mexico City and Geneva, Switzerland. She additionally served as senior counsel at the ICSID and a Spanish multinational financial services company.

Teaching Experience

  • Adjunct Professor, International Arbitration, Centro de Investigación y Docencia Económica (CIDE)
  • Adjunct Professor, Commercial Post Graduate Program, Escuela Libre de Derecho

Memberships

  • Mexican Bar Association
  • US-Mexico Bar Association (USMBA)
    • Former Co-chair, Dispute Resolution Committee
  • International Bar Association, London
  • International Chamber of Commerce, International Court of Arbitration
  • Member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration for Mexico
    • Arbitration Commission, Mexican Section
    • Former President, Investment Arbitration Committee
    • Working Group on Investor-State Arbitration
    • Task Force on Maximizing Probative Value of Witness Evidence
  • International Law Association, Mexican Branch
  • Editorial Board, Revista de Derecho Económico Internacional
  • Advisory Board, Institute for Transnational Arbitration
  • Latino American Arbitration Association
  • Mediation and Arbitration Center of the National Chambers of Commerce, Services and Tourism Arbitration Commission
  • General Council, Arbitration Center of Mexico
  • Mexican Institute of Arbitration
  • Panel of Arbitrators, Centro de Arbitraje y Conciliación de Panamá (CeCap)
  • Panel of Arbitrators, BAC/BIAC Panel of Arbitrators for International Investment Arbitration

My latest insights

News

DLA Piper lawyers and practices ranked in Chambers Latin America 2025

20 August 2024 .4 minute read

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Phone

+52 55 5261 1883
(Work, Mexico City)