Haynes Boone has added Louise Woods as a partner and Chair of International Disputes in its London office, strengthening the firm’s international arbitration and energy disputes capabilities.
Woods joins Haynes Boone from Vinson & Elkins, where she spent 13 years and most recently served as European Co-Head of International Disputes.
Her practice focuses on complex international commercial disputes, with particular experience in international arbitration involving the energy industry.
Woods advises clients on upstream oil and gas disputes involving joint operating agreements, production-sharing agreements and other energy-related contracts.
Her broader practice includes investor-state arbitration and commercial litigation across energy, banking and financial services, construction, infrastructure, technology and real estate.
Woods has represented investors in investor-state arbitrations, including a case involving a Saudi investor and the Republic of Indonesia.
She also has substantial experience handling disputes involving Francophone Africa and Latin America.
Woods is admitted as a solicitor-advocate in England and Wales and regularly appears as an advocate before international arbitration tribunals.
She will be joined at Haynes Boone by associate Elena Guillet.
Woods and Guillet will work closely with international arbitration partner Philipp Kurek, who joined Haynes Boone earlier in 2026 to expand the firm’s international and investor-state arbitration work across energy, mining and metals.
Woods is the fifth partner to join Haynes Boone’s London office during 2026, following Kurek, real estate partner Angus Ford, fund finance partner Jeremy Cross and tax partner Alexandra Ueno-Park.
She is a former president of ArbitralWomen and remains a member of the organization’s advisory council. She also co-founded Women in Energy Connect, a London-based professional network.
Haynes Boone’s London office moved into larger premises in the City of London at the end of 2025 as the firm continued expanding headcount, capabilities and transaction activity.
KEY QUOTES:
“Louise brings a strong international arbitration practice and deep experience in energy disputes that will complement our growing capabilities in London and existing preeminent U.S. team. Her experience across complex international matters and her connections throughout the international arbitration community will be valuable to our clients and our team. We are delighted to welcome Louise to the firm.”
Nick Davis, London Office Managing Partner at Haynes Boone
“Haynes Boone’s culture really spoke to me, as did the enthusiasm I felt about growing the London office and expanding its energy disputes practice. It felt like the right time for a new challenge, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the firm to help clients navigate their most challenging disputes.”
Louise Woods, Chair of International Disputes at Haynes Boone
