Gilbert K. Squires joins JAMS as an accomplished arbitrator and mediator with over four decades of successful experience in global business, construction, oil and gas, power generation and law. Mr. Squires has amassed deep alternative dispute resolution (ADR) experience, having successfully arbitrated and mediated numerous high-stakes cases across the globe. His dedication to resolving disputes through ADR methods has earned him a reputation as a leading figure in the field. Mr. Squires is known for navigating complex international cases; establishing respectful, empathy-filled environments in ADR proceedings; and fostering fair and effective resolutions in varied disputes.

Before joining JAMS, Mr. Squires had a diverse business career spanning related disciplines and global locations. He served as an international and domestic arbitrator, mediator, advocate and company representative in over 500 cases while working as an international lawyer, engineer, and oil and gas company executive. His experience includes petroleum engineering, offshore drilling and production, oil and gas operations and management, music technology management at Universal Music Group, establishing content management organizations in Latin America, law and municipal governance. Fluent in English, Spanish, French, Portuguese and Italian, and conversant in five other languages, Mr. Squires has easily navigated complex international cases throughout his legal and 25-year ADR practice, including chairing and arbitrating intricate disputes across various industries. Starting as an offshore drilling engineer, he advanced to operations and executive positions in global companies. While working, he attended a master’s business program at night and completed night law school, demonstrating his commitment to professional growth and successfully working on his career. In January 2008, he became a co-founding member of the Miami International Arbitration Society (MIAS). In 2019, he was the 103rd president of the Miami-Dade County Bar Association (f/k/a Dade County Bar Association). In 2009, he was the 62nd president of the Miami Beach Bar Association. He has also served on several Florida Bar committees related to ADR, international law, international litigation and arbitration, and practice optimization. He has served as faculty in numerous arbitration programs in the United States and Latin America. He remains a respected figure in ADR, contributing to its advancement worldwide.

Mr. Squires holds credentials and experience in business and international law, arbitration, mediation and petroleum engineering. As a former oil and gas company executive of Conoco Mexico Ltd., he is board certified by the Florida Bar as a specialist in both international law and international litigation and arbitration, a fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and a diplomate in international arbitration of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. As a registered Texas professional engineer, he garnered extensive training and experience in energy finance, drilling, production, reservoir engineering, operations, oil and gas economics, acquisitions and dispositions, and new ventures. He is a 2014 alumnus of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses program. This combination of global business experience, legal practice and technical knowledge in the construction, commercial, maritime and energy sectors uniquely positions Mr. Squires to resolve domestic and international disputes successfully.

Representative Matters

• Aviation
• Served as legal counsel from 2011 to 2021, handling complex aviation matters for major airlines such as Varilog (Varig Logistica S.A.), Avianca Holdings, Avian, Synergy Aerospace Corp., and Celestial Aviation
• Represented clients in international arbitration before the ICC involving aircraft leasing and purchase agreements
• Managed cross-border bankruptcy proceedings in multiple jurisdictions, including Chapter 15 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of Florida
• Conducted commercial litigation in New York State Court, the Southern District of New York, and the Second Circuit
• Oversaw Avian's commercial airline restructuring in Buenos Aires
• Handled the Avianca Holdings "Pánico Económico" case and its transfer to U.S. jurisdiction
• Represented clients in disputes and negotiations related to aircraft leasing agreements
• Regularly coordinated legal matters across multiple countries, including the United States, Brazil, Argentina, and Colombia
• Business Commercial
• Resolved banking and commercial disputes
• Advocated in multimillion-dollar cross-border ICC airline arbitration and foreign airline company bankruptcy restructuring outside the United States
• Arbitrated in surplus recovery business allegation that former associates violated noncompete agreements by engaging in competitive activities after dissociating from the company
• Emergency interim measures and joinder arbitrator
• Successfully served as receiver and represented parties in assignment for the benefit of creditors
• Successfully litigated in federal and state courts
• Successfully appealed and litigated appellate cases
• Resolved mediated disputes between municipal government and first responder unions
• Construction
• Multimillion-dollar Central Asia construction dispute
• Numerous construction industry rules arbitrations, including joinders and interim measures
• Offshore platform mobilization and demobilization plans, including plugging-and-abandonment programs
• Energy & Utilities
• Resolved multimillion-dollar diesel turbine power generation dispute
• Arbitrated multimillion-dollar wind turbine power generation dispute
• Arbitrated multimillion-dollar midcontinent Aeolic power generation dispute
• Oil and gas lease unitization and offshore areas of mutual interest
• Deep- and ultra-deep-water exploration plans
• Natural gas pipeline explosion personal injury matter
• Estate Probate Trusts
• Multimillion-dollar probate dispute involving parties and assets in Europe, Latin America and the United States
• International & Cross Border
• Mediation under the 2023 Singapore Convention on Mediation Rules
• Arbitrated multiple international maritime disputes involving seafarers’ personal injury claims under the Jones Act, including demands for monetary compensation related to maintenance and cure
• Arbitrated disputes involving international business mezzanine loans for U.S. entities’ Chinese subsidiaries
• Arbitrated Brazilian airline Chapter 15 bankruptcy cross-border bankruptcy litigation and Argentine airline concurso (restructuring)
• Arbitrated disputes involving African seaports and petrol (gasoline) stations
• Personal injury litigation
• Mediated international defamation litigation
• Music, Entertainment Industry and Technology, and Museum Art
• Led the establishment of a music content management organization in Latin America
• Mediation of breach of contract and other disputed claims for services rendered in arranging a multi-artist music tour
• Arbitrated digital music sales disputes
• Multimillion-dollar museum-art ownership dispute defeating attempted removal from state to federal court
• Resolved a dispute between a music talent agency and a touring company
• Real Property
• Several multimillion-dollar real estate industry disputes
• Closing and title agent for numerous real estate transactions
• Handled complex disputes involving title and 1031 exchanges as a former attorney’s title agent
• Arbitrated real estate sales contract disputes

Honors, Memberships, and Professional Activities

Memberships and Affiliations

• Board and Advisory Board Member, Equitable Origin, 2009–2024
• The Florida Bar, 2002–2024
  • Foreign Legal Consultant (Evaluation and Recommendation) Committee, 2021–2023
  • Vice Chair, International Litigation and Arbitration Certification Committee, 2022–2023
  • Member, International Litigation and Arbitration Certification Committee, 2018–2024
  • Vice Chair, Grievance Committee, 2013–2014
  • Member, 11th Judicial Circuit in and for Miami-Dade County Florida, Grievance Committee “C", 2013
  • Member, Vision 2016 Committee on Bar Admissions, 2014–2016
• The District of Columbia Bar, 2003–2024
• The New York Bar, 2016–2024
• Supreme Court of The United States, 2011–2024
• United States Court of Appeal for the Eleventh Circuit, 2009–2024
• United States Court of Appeal for the Second Circuit, 2020–2024
• United States District Court for the Southern District of Florida, 2009–2024
• President (103rd), Miami-Dade Bar Association, 2019–2020
• President (62nd), Miami Beach Bar Association, 2009–2010
• Member, Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc., 1983–2024
• Member, Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc. (the Boulè), 2012–2024

Selected Awards and Honors

• Florida Super Lawyers, 2014–2024
  • Rising Star, 2012
• Florida Legal Elite, 2021–2024
• Top 100 Bet the Company Litigator, 2021
• Top 100 Black Lawyers of America, 2023
• Recognition, Florida Bar International Litigation & Arbitration Certification Committee Vice-Chair, 2023–2024
• Recognition, Florida Bar International Litigation & Arbitration Certification Committee, 2018–2022
• The South Florida Times, “Gilbert K. Squires, Dade County Bar Association New President,” May 23-29, 2019
• City of Miami Beach Certificate of Recognition for “hard work and dedication to the community,” President, Dade County Bar Association (n/k/a Miami-Dade Bar Association), June 26, 2019
• Person of Distinction, Temple Adath Or, 2017
• Distinguished Alumnus, Oklahoma City University School of Law, 2014
• Alumnus, Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses Program, 2014
• Pro Bono Legal Award, 11th Judicial Circuit of Florida, 2012
• City of Miami Beach Certificate of Recognition, Past President, Miami Beach Bar Association, Dec. 7, 2010
• Screening-Nomination Committee, Miami-Dade County School Board Attorney, 2009
• Chair, City of Miami Beach Community Relations Board, 2004
• Vice Chair, AHEAD (Access to Hydrocarbon Energy for African Development) Energy Corporation Board, 1998
• Co-Founder, International Aikido Alliance, 1998
• Outstanding Community Service Project Award, Leadership Miami, 1996
• Instituto Mexicano de Ejecutivos de Finanzas, 1995
• Member, Advisory Board, International Energy Law Center (The Center for American and International Law), 1992
• Chair, Economics and Evaluation Committee, International Society of Petroleum Engineers, 1989

Background and Education

• Gilbert K. Squires, P.L. (dba Squires International Law, P.L.L.C.), 2002–2024
• Outside General Counsel, Humane Farm Animal Care, 2021–2024
• Outside General Counsel, Uni-K-Wax, Franchising, 2021–2022
• SKG Consulting; Global Business, Energy and Technology Consulting; 1996–2002
• Director, Content Management, Universal Music Latin America, 1999–2001
• President, Conoco Mexico, Ltd., 1994–1996
• Conoco, Inc. (ConocoPhillips) 1985–1994
  • Director, Upstream Mexico Re-Entry
  • Acquisitions Advisor, Asia-Pacific-Latin America-Middle East Acquisitions and New Ventures
  • Assignments in Indonesia, the Netherlands and Brazil
  • Chief of Staff to Global VP of Production Engineering and Research
  • Engineering Manager, California Operations
  • California Asset Disposition Manager
  • Assistant Drilling Manager, California
• Exxon Co. USA (ExxonMobil) 1980–1984
  • Exploration Offshore Drilling Engineer
    • Offshore Production Drilling Engineer 

• J.D., Oklahoma City University School of Law, 1993
• Strategic Dynamics of Negotiations, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 1991
• Registered Professional Engineer (Petroleum), State of Texas, 1991
• B.S., Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, 1980