Guided to recovery
Global Asset Recovery practice: We don't just win. We collect.
What we do
Results
Collected on a US$58M+ award against the Government of Greece. Prevailed in an ICC arbitration on behalf of a Fortune 500 company against the Hellenic Republic arising from the installation of a security system for the Olympics — then enforced the award in US federal court, via freezing orders in numerous international jurisdictions, and before the Supreme Court of Greece, collecting a judgment exceeding US$58 million.
Established US jurisdiction over a South African state entity to enforce a US$100M+ award. Successfully argued novel issues of constitutional due process and established jurisdiction in the United States over a South African entity to enforce an international arbitration award exceeding US$100 million.
Enforced a US$250M ICC award against the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Successfully brought an enforcement proceeding regarding a US$250 million ICC arbitration award in a case between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and its contractor over a contract for improvement and modernization of the DRC’s customs department.
Confirmed a US$330M+ investment treaty award against Romania. Secured confirmation of an investment treaty award exceeding US$330 million against the Government of Romania on behalf of a Dutch investor who had relied on economic incentives offered by Romania to build an integrated food platform. .
Converted a US$30M+ award into hard assets and cash — manufacturing plant plus payment. For a financial services client, enforced an arbitration award exceeding US$30 million using restraining notices, post-judgment discovery, and planned officer depositions — resulting in a 2025 settlement transferring ownership of a manufacturing plant plus a large cash payment, fully satisfying the judgment.
Pursuing global enforcement of a US$107M+ award against an Iraqi state-owned oil company. Enforced a US$107 million award against Basra Oil Company, an Iraqi state-owned entity — deploying Section 1782 in SDNY to obtain bank-transaction discovery in support of coordinated enforcement across Canada, Belgium, the Netherlands, the UAE, France, Germany, Spain, Japan, and Iraq.
Won and enforced a default judgment in New York — then collected in Asia. For a US corporate, obtained a default judgment in New York and enforced it in Asia.
Contesting the enforcement of a multi-billion dollar award against a foreign sovereign in jurisdictions worldwide. Advising a sovereign client on strategy and defense in connection with a multi-billion dollar award across coordinated global enforcement proceedings.
Enforce international arbitral awards and foreign judgments across 90+ jurisdictions
Freeze and attach assets — pre- and post-judgment — globally
Deploy Section 1782 to obtain US discovery for use in foreign proceedings — and defend clients targeted by Section 1782 applications
Navigate sovereign immunity under the Foreign Sovereign Immunities Act (FSIA), for both corporates and sovereigns
Trace assets, conduct post-judgment discovery, and coordinate investigative resources
Run parallel proceedings across US federal courts, foreign courts, and international tribunals
Counsel at the contracting stage to maximize future enforceability
Rankings and recognition
“He is terrific – everything you can ask for in outside counsel. He’s skilled in his area of expertise, has good business sense and is a good communicator.”
“He is able to tailor solutions for the clients that meet their needs.”
“We prize Will (O'Brien) above all others for his experience, efficiency and especially practicality.”
© Eversheds Sutherland Ltd. 2026. All rights reserved. Eversheds Sutherland (US) LLP is part of a global legal practice, operating through various separate and distinct legal entities, under Eversheds Sutherland. For a full description of the structure and a list of offices, visit eversheds-sutherland.com.
eversheds-sutherland.com
John Lomas, Jr.
Partner, Washington, DC
+ 202 220 8049
johnlomas@eversheds-sutherland.com
Ana Rocio Monzón Woc
Senior Associate, New York
+ 212 287 6918
rociomonzon@eversheds-sutherland.com
Levon Golendukhin
Counsel, New York
+ 212 287 6928
levongolendukhin@eversheds-sutherland.com
William O'Brien
Partner, Global Co-Head of International Arbitration, Washington, DC | New York
+ 202 220 8236 | +212 287 6993
williamobrien@eversheds-sutherland.com
Blake Atherton
Associate, Washington, DC
+ 202 383 0233
blakeatherton@eversheds-sutherland.com
Contact us
— Chambers USA
"Truly global in scope."
Authors of the world's most comprehensive global freezing order guide — covering 90 jurisdictions
— Chambers Global
Eversheds Sutherland's Global Asset Recovery practice is built around a single premise: a judgment or award has no value unless you can enforce it. We are enforcement-driven from day one — building global strategies with the endgame in mind so that clients realize actual value. Our team has litigated precedent-setting cases shaping US enforcement law, excelling at enforcing court judgments and arbitration awards worldwide, securing discovery orders against fraudsters and debtors, leveraging multi-jurisdictional proceedings, and piercing corporate shields.
We are called in at every stage — from the outset of a dispute to post-judgment collection — and we know how to convert a win into money.
William O'Brien serves as an advocate in litigation and arbitration and represents clients in the enforcement of arbitral awards. He has a Chambers US Band 1 ranking in “International Arbitration: Enforcement.”
“He is terrific – everything you can ask for in outside counsel. He’s skilled in
his area of expertise, has good business sense and is a good communicator.”
“He is able to tailor solutions for the clients that meet their needs.”
“We prize Will above all others for his experience, efficiency and especially practicality.”
Recognition