send e-mail pdf News v-card
Introduction
Kristin Drecktrah Paz is a partner in the Coral Gables office of PBYA. She is a litigator with more than ten years of experience counseling clients with cross-border and complex disputes in arbitration and litigation. She has arbitrated international and domestic disputes under diverse rules and litigated cases in federal and state courts, many of which have had distinct international implications. Litigation matters include petitions for U.S. discovery related to foreign proceedings; arbitration-related litigation; disputes involving foreign states or state-owned entities; disputes in energy and natural resources, construction, healthcare, financial services, and technology sectors; and business litigation, including contracts, business torts, shareholder disputes, trade secrets, and computer fraud. Kristin is Board Certified in International Litigation & Arbitration by the Florida Bar.
Practice Areas
Litigation
Cross-Border Disputes
International Transaction Disputes
Complex Business Disputes
Arbitration
Education
Florida International University College of Law, J.D.
• Comments Editor, FIU Law Review
• International Arbitration Moot Court Competitor
Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, Master in Translation and Interpretation
University of Minnesota, B.A., Spanish and Portuguese Studies, Phi Beta Kappa
Professional Associations & Memberships
Miami-Dade Chapter of the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (MDFAWL)
• President 2021-2022
The Florida Bar
• Executive Council Member of International Law Section
• International Litigation & Arbitration Certification Committee Member
American Bar Association, International Law Section
Seminars and Presentations
Panelist, “Women in the Legal Profession,” FIU Law, Virtual, June 2021
Panelist, “Personal Jurisdiction, Choice of Law and Forum Non Conveniens in the Age of Remote Practice,” ABA First Annual International Litigation Skills Conference, Virtual, May 2021
Panelist, “How Do You Know Your Arbitration Is International?” Florida Bar ADR Section Arbitration Advocacy Institute 2020, Virtual, November 2020
Panelist, “Hot Topics in International Litigation,” iLaw2020: The ILS Global Forum on International Law, Miami, February 2020
Panelist, “Gaining the Edge in Arbitration & International Law,” Spellman-Hoeveler Chapter of the American Inns of Court’s View from the Bench & Bar Conference, Miami, March 2019
Panelist, "Model Law in Action – Jurisprudence and Impact," New York Convention 60th Anniversary Conference, Kingston, Jamaica, June 2018
Moderator, "The Procurement of Emergency Power in Sub-Saharan Africa," American Bar Association Section of International Law Annual Conference, New York, April 2018
Panelist, "The New Surge of Energy in the Americas: Renewable Developments, Deals and Disputes," American Bar Association Section of International Law 2017 Fall Conference, Miami, October 2017
Panelist, "Discovery in Arbitration: How to Avoid an Accident," Broward County Bar Association, Fort Lauderdale, March 2017
Moderator, "Discovery in Arbitration: How to Avoid an Accident," JAMS Miami, June 2015
Panelist, "The Bahamas: The Role of Young Professionals in Creating an International Arbitration Community," Nassau, Bahamas, April 2014
Representative Matters
Obtained settlement greater than $40 million with foreign sovereign on behalf of Florida energy company within two months of demand.
Litigated federal case against foreign sovereign and obtained settlement greater than $40 million on behalf of energy company.
Represented Brazilian cargo company in non-jury trial against Florida entity for breach of aircraft lease agreement, prevailing after trial.
Prevailed in ad hoc arbitration under UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules for Florida company against Jamaican manufacturer, obtaining damages for lost profits.
Represented Argentine energy company in confidential ICDR commercial arbitration against Florida manufacturer and supplier of wet compression parts.
Litigated several successful petitions for discovery pursuant to 28 U.S.C. § 1782 related to current or reasonably contemplated proceedings abroad.
Commenced $200 million investor-state dispute against Australia related to inequitable securities law.
Represented Haitian manufacturer in federal court against subsidiary of U.S. clothing company’s petition to stay Haitian civil proceedings and compel arbitration in Miami.
Honors
Florida Bar Board Certified in International Litigation and Arbitration
Daily Business Review, On The Rise Honoree, 2020
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Arbitration, 2019
Daily Business Review, Most Effective Lawyers - Business/Complex Litigation, 2017
"Leader in the Law," Florida Association for Women Lawyers, 2018
Florida Trend Legal Elite, International, 2021
Super Lawyers, "Rising Star," International Law, 2016- 2021
Bar Admissions
Court Admissions
U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit
U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida
U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida
Languages