An Advocate in Sovereign Immunity and Asset Recovery (with Craig Gaver)

Craig Gaver shares insights into his work in international arbitration, judgment enforcement, and sovereign immunity. Craig reflects on his career journey, from political science to international law, including his inspiring role in a wrongful conviction case featured in Netflix’s The Innocence Files. The discussion also highlights career advice for aspiring lawyers and the importance of balance and self-care in the demanding legal field.

*Craig was Counsel at Bluestone, P.C. at the time of this recording.

STORY:

00:30 Introduction to Enforcement of Judgments

03:17 Methods of Enforcement

05:04 Professional Background

07:13 Pro Bono Death Row Case

09:17 Musical Background

13:20 Career in International Arbitration

25:12 Work-Life Balance and Outdoor Activities

30:23 Hiking in Washington, DC

33:06 Career Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

37:49 Future of International Law Practice

BIOGRAPHY:

Craig D. Gaver is a Partner at Continental PLLC. His practice focuses on legal problems that cross international boundaries. He brings to Continental over a decade of experience representing and advising sovereign states and foreign agencies, Fortune 500 companies, investment firms, and high net worth individuals in the oil and gas, renewable energy, mining, infrastructure, transportation, financial, and technology sectors on their most challenging commercial, civil, and regulatory matters.

His multifaceted practice encompasses complex litigation and arbitration before U.S. courts and international tribunals, enforcement of foreign arbitral awards, foreign investment protection under bilateral and multilateral treaties, economic sanctions and international trade, sovereign immunity, sovereign debt recovery, and public international law.

Craig’s recent experience includes obtaining a favorable verdict for Walmart in a federal jury trial, advising a Fortune 500 company on billion-dollar investment treaty claims against two foreign states, advising foreign central banks and sovereign wealth funds on sovereign immunity and asset protection, and successfully defending a European multinational company against M&A claims in an expedited ICC arbitration. He has practiced under all the major international arbitration institutions’ rules.

He writes and speaks widely on issues arising under public and private international law. Craig serves as an adjunct professor at William & Mary Law School, and his publications have appeared in several edited books, the American Journal of International Law, and elsewhere. He is an active participant in the Washington, D.C. and international legal communities and holds leadership roles within the American Society of International Law, the D.C. Bar, and the Washington Foreign Law Society.

Craig is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C., New York, Maryland, and England and Wales. Prior to joining Continental, he practiced in the Washington, D.C., Qatar, and Singapore offices of international law firms and an asset recovery boutique.

LINKS:

Website: https://continentalpllc.com/our-team/craig-d-gaver/

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/craig-gaver-96005b191/