Sofía focuses on the resolution of complex disputes in Latin America and other emerging markets.
She has acted as counsel in more than 20 high-stakes commercial and investment treaty arbitrations under the auspices of the ICC, ICSID, ICDR, LCIA and DIAC, in English and Spanish.
Sofia covers a broad range of sectors, including technology, telecommunications, financial services, energy, electricity, infrastructure, mining, water, agribusiness, manufacturing and airport services. She has particular expertise working with clients in the technology sector, advising them on the protection of their global investments, and possesses a unique knowledge of the Latin American legal landscape.
Before joining Freshfields, Sofía practiced international arbitration at two leading international law firms in the US. Prior to that, she worked for several years as a corporate and M&A attorney at Uruguay’s largest law firm, advising Fortune 500 clients.
Sofía has taught international arbitration, and frequently writes and speaks on topics of arbitration and technology. Among other positions, she served as Vice-Chair of the New York State Bar Association’s International Arbitration Committee and is the co-founder and Co-Chair of the ERA Pledge Young Practitioners’ Subcommittee, a diversity initiative.
In addition to English, Sofía speaks Spanish (native) and Portuguese.
back to tab navigation
- Representing Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) in an ICSID Additional Facility arbitration against Bolivia under the Bolivia-Spain BIT relating to Bolivia’s decade-long inability to complete the nationalization of the private pension fund administration sector.
- Representing Mexican telecommunications company América Móvil in an ICSID Additional Facility arbitration against Colombia under the free trade agreement between Mexico and Colombia, in relation to the expropriation of the assets held by Colombia’s largest mobile phone provider.
- Representing Grupo Agroinsumos Iberoamericanos in an ICSID arbitration against Venezuela under the Venezuela-Spain BIT, in relation to the expropriation of its investment in Venezuela’s most important agribusiness group of companies.
- Securing two awards ($226m and $405m) for a utilites company, Sociedad General Aguas de Barcelona, Interaguas, Vivendi and Anglian Water in two combined ICSID/UNCITRAL arbitrations against Argentina relating to measures affecting water concessions in Buenos Aires and Santa Fe under various bilateral investment treaties. Read more about the dispute in our case study.
back to tab navigation
Education
- Master of Laws (LL.M.), Harvard Law School, United States (Dean’s Scholar, 2013).
- Doctor en Derecho (J.D. equivalent), University of Montevideo, Uruguay (2010).
Professional
- ERA Pledge Young Practitioners Subcommittee, co-founder and Co-Chair
- New York State Bar Association’s International Arbitration Committee, former Vice-Chair
- Uruguay Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (URUVYAP), Founder
Academic
- University of Montevideo, Assistant Professor, International Arbitration
Admissions
back to tab navigation
