Complex disputes are not resolved by legal knowledge alone.
Behind every case lie interests, institutions, incentives, and responsibilities that shape how a strategy is built and how a resolution is reached.
Complex disputes are not resolved by legal argument alone.
We build strategies
by understanding how
decisions are made.
EQ Arbitration is a boutique firm specializing in complex and international disputes in infrastructure, concessions, public-private partnerships, and construction. We combine experience representing both public entities and private companies, international practice, and a tribunal's-eye perspective to anticipate risks and build effective strategies.
The combined experience of our founder and team:
17+
Years of experience
250+
Cases as arbitrator
200+
Arbitrations as counsel
A name that describes a way of working.
EQ is more than
a set of initials.
EQ reflects a particular approach to complex disputes: understanding not only the applicable law, but also the people, institutions, and incentives that shape every decision. EQ also stands for a concept that inspires the way we practice arbitration: Emotional Quotient.
Understanding how each party to a dispute reasons is what allows us to anticipate risk.
Arbitral tribunals, companies, public entities, investors: understanding each of them is key to identifying opportunities and building strategies that go beyond a strictly legal analysis.
Because the best strategies do not stem from legal knowledge alone; they stem from understanding how and why decisions are made. That is the philosophy that defines the work of EQ Arbitration.
EQ Arbitration
That philosophy is backed by concrete experience.
A practice built
from every angle
of a dispute.
EQ's methodology draws on direct experience representing the State, practice at an international law firm, the conduct of arbitral proceedings, and work within arbitral tribunals. This perspective enables us to foresee how each argument will be received, anticipate procedural risks, and build strategies designed around the decision-maker.
Four perspectives
01Working with arbitral tribunals
02Representing public entities
03International law firm practice
04Experience as arbitrator
Services
Advice on complex disputes arising from public and private infrastructure megaprojects, concessions/PPPs, and construction.
Local counsel and co-counsel to international firms in investment and commercial arbitration.
Pre-dispute advisory: prevention and management of contractual risk.
Strategy design focused on persuasion and decision-making.
Anticipating how a tribunal reasons,
so that every strategy is built on that same logic.
Behind every strategy is the team that builds it.
Meet the
EQ Arbitration team.
A multidisciplinary team with direct experience in arbitration, public and private infrastructure, and construction. Each member brings a distinct perspective to build more comprehensive strategies.
Sandro Espinoza
Over 15 years of experience in infrastructure and construction arbitration. In parallel with his counsel practice, he sits as an arbitrator in domestic and international disputes, including ICC appointments. Recognized as a Future Leader in Arbitration by Who's Who Legal and Lexology Index.
Recognition
- Future Leader in Arbitration · Lexology - INDEX · 2021–2026
- Valued Practice, Arbitrator · Leaders League · 2025–2026
- Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).
- Member of the International Arbitration Chamber of Paris (CAIP).
- Board Member 2026–2029, Peruvian Society of Construction Law (SPDC).
Sandro Espinoza
Founding Partner
Pilar Aguirre
Pilar Aguirre is a law graduate of the Universidad de Lima, with a specialization in Dispute Resolution. From 2023 to 2026, she was a member of the team at Payet, Rey, Cauvi, Pérez Abogados, where she gained experience in litigation and commercial arbitration involving contractual disputes, energy, and civil liability.
Pilar Aguirre
Associate
Cristel Villanueva
Cristel Villanueva Rosales is a legal assistant with hands-on experience in arbitration. She supports arbitral tribunals in the management and monitoring of proceedings, as well as in organizing and reviewing case files and preparing procedural documents. She complements this experience as Academic Coordinator of ARBANZA – Escuela de Arbitraje and through her participation in national and international arbitration moots.
Cristel Villanueva
Legal Assistant