Oliver J. Armas

Partner

Practice Description

Oliver Armas handles complex domestic and international disputes. He has an extensive practice in U.S. federal and state courts, as well as before regulatory agencies, such as the SEC, the U.S. Department of Justice, the New York Attorney General and state insurance regulators (including internal investigations, FCPA audits, advice on OFAC and export controls, etc.).

A significant part of Mr. Armas's practice involves representing foreign and domestic clients in arbitrations before the ICC, AAA/ICDR, LCIA, ICSID, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and other tribunals.

Because he is fluent in Spanish (and can understand Portuguese), a significant percentage of his practice involves counseling clients on various matters involving Latin America and the U.S. Hispanic market.

Mr. Armas has acted as a legal expert on certain aspects of U.S. law in foreign proceedings (e.g., Mexico and Peru), and has supervised litigation and conducted FCPA field audits in almost every country in Latin America.

Representative Matters

Litigation / Regulatory

• Representing shareholders of Stan Lee Media Inc., in a derivative suit against Marvel Comics in federal court in New York. 
• Represented U.S. asset-based lender against an Italian clothes manufacturer (Diesel) in a trial in the Southern District of New York. Secured a complete defense verdict and won counterclaim.
• Representing eight Argentine pension fund managers (and their Union) in an action to freeze their assets in New York and in subsequent appeals to the 2nd Circuit (which overruled District cout decision in favor of our clients).
• Representing a U.S.-based construction company and its Chilean subsidiary in litigation in Chile.
• Prosecuting claims on behalf of a sports association regarding copyright infringement and Lanham Act violations.
• Representing a U.S. pharmaceutical in antitrust litigation in Mexico.
• Representing U.S. multinational in FCPA investigations in Latin America.
• Defend trademark infringement claims on behalf of a multinational corporation; case was voluntarily withdrawn.
• Representing a U.S. pharmaceutical in an internal investigation regarding judicial corruption.
• Representing South American company in SEC and DOJ investigation.
• Representing a South American company in asset forfeiture case brought by DEA and Homeland Security.
• In re Avianca (SDNY Bankr.) - represented trustee of a future flow receivables trust (governed by Colombian law), and noteholders in landmark recharacterization litigation. Case settled favorably before trial.
• Merck v. Tecnoquimicas (SDNY) - successfully defended enforcement of arbitral award and related attachment of assets.
• Fujitsu v. Schaller, et al. (Superior Ct., Morris Co., NJ) - obtained multi-million dollar judgment in an international fraud case on behalf of a German subsidiary.
• Successfully defended a multinational corporation in unfair competition and trade secrets litigation.
• Aeroplazas de Mexico v. Secretaria de Comunicaciones y Transportes (Fed Dist. Ct., Mexico City) - successfully defended a consortium of Spanish and Mexican companies that won the concession to operate twelve airports in Mexico in an action commenced by a losing bidder.
• Bank of China v. Central Bank of Iraq (SDNY) - obtained multi-million dollar judgment against the government of Iraq.
• NY Flour Distributors v. Cargill, Inc. (EDNY) - defended one of the largest privately held companies in the world in a multi-million dollar litigation involving allegations of fraud and anticompetitive behavior. A two week jury trial in federal court resulted in a complete defense verdict.
• BBC Capital Market, Inc. v. Carver Bancorp, Inc. (Del. Chancery) - successfully represented a bank and its directors against insurgent shareholders seeking to sterilize voting rights during a proxy contest for election of directors. Defeated motion for preliminary injunction; subsequently negotiated favorable settlement on eve of trial.
• Abel v. Silent Hoist & Crane; Lineaweaver v. Silent Hoist & Crane (Ct. of Common Pleas (Phil. Co.); D. Ct. Phil.) - defended London underwriters in two unrelated products liability actions involving catastrophic injuries from accidents with 30 ton capacity forklifts. Each case resulted in favorable settlements before trial.
• Les Schwab Tire Centers Inc. v. Sitek GmbH (SDNY) - represented largest U.S. retail tire distributor in products liability claims against German manufacturer. Obtained favorable resolution of jurisdictional issues while litigation was pending in U.S. and Germany.
• Kadison v. LISB and Merrill Lynch (NY Sup. Ct./App. Div - 1st Dep't) - successfully defended an investment bank which underwrote an initial public offering where the plaintiffs challenged the issuer's plan of conversion and public stock offering. Dismissal of case upheld by Appellate Division.
• Goldman v. Sica (D. Ct. Ga.) - represented an Italian manufacturer in a products liability case; case dismissed on summary judgment.
• Banco Santander Central Hispano v. Consalvi International Inc. (SDNY) - represented Argentine investment fund in confirmation and vacatur proceedings of an arbitral award involving "manifest disregard of the law" issues.
• Unitel v. TCC (SDNY) - represented one of the largest distributors of prepaid telephone cards for the U.S. Hispanic market in a breach of contract case.
• Newbridge Latin America v. Grupo Corvi (SDNY) - represented Mexican company in anti-suit injunction case.

Arbitration 

• Representing a Dubai-based entity in a dispute involving the development of a port. (DIAC, Dubai, Dubai law, English). 
• Representing a UK based multinational and its Mexican affiliate in a potential NAFTA dispute against Canada.
• Represented an Argentine investment fund in an arbitration against a leading Spanish bank in a dispute arising out of joint venture. (ICDR, New York, Spanish law, Spanish language). 
• Represented a European company in an arbitration against a Japanese competitor. (ICC, Paris, Japanese law, English). 
• Represented a Malaysian company in a dispute against a U.S. based oil and gas company in a dispute involving a joint venture in Qatar. (LCIA, London, NY law, English).
• Represented a European manufacturer in an arbitration against a leading supplier from Spain. (ICC, Madrid, Spanish law, Spanish). 
• Represented a graphic artist against a U.S. based hedge fund over an investment dispute. (AAA, New York, New York law, English). 
• Represented a Swiss investment fund in an arbitration against a U.S. based hedge fund over an investment dispute. (ICDR, New York, New York law, English). 
• Represented a Mexican company in an arbitration against a U.S. conglomerate in a dispute over a joint venture. (ICC, New York, Mexican law, English). 
• Represented a South American pharmaceutical company in an arbitration against a U.S. pharmaceutical in a dispute about product licensing and distribution in Latin America. (ICC, New Jersey law, English). 
• Represented a large international investment bank in a NASD arbitration over the handling of certain notes from a Mexican issuer. (NASD, New York, English). 
• Represented a UK based media company and its U.S. subsidiary in an arbitration with its former CFO and in a related EEOC case. (AAA, New York). 
• Represented world ranked tennis player from Argentina before the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) in an appeal of an alleged doping violation. His initial two-year ban was reduced significantly. Eventually his suspension was overturned by the Swiss courts. 
• Represented a U.S. steel company and its Mexican parent in an arbitration with its former CEO and president. (AAA, New York). 
• Acted as sole arbitrator in a music royalties dispute. (AAA, New York). 
• In a case of first impression, represented the State of New York in a dispute filed in Mexico under the NAFTA side labor agreement. (NAFTA/NAALC). 
• Represented a Chilean natural gas company against an Argentine gas supplier. (ICDR, New York, Argentine law, English). 
• Acting as sole arbitrator in case involving alleged breach of a settlement agreement and related issues. (ICDR, Bahamas, New York law, English). 
• Acting as sole arbitrator in an international commercial dispute over Sharia financing and related issues. (ICDR, Bahamas, New York law, English). 
• Acted as co-arbitrator in a dispute involving a hotel development in Mexico. (ICDR, Mexico, Mexican law, English).
• Acted as Special Master in an action between two Portuguese banks regarding contractual breaches relating to a failed merger. (ad hoc, New Jersey, Portuguese).
• Acting as a co-arbitrator in a joint venture dispute. (ICDR, NY, New York law, English).
• Acting as co-arbitrator in a case involving breach of a distribution agreement in Costa Rica. (AAA, New York, English)

Honors

Activities and Affiliations

Publications

Speeches and Events