Twenty years ago, when Bishop joined King & Spalding as a lateral partner in Houston, he came with one arbitration case and no team. In the intervening years, he has built a world-class international arbitration practice, literally from nothing. Early on, Bishop and his growing group focused on energy, Latin American and investment disputes, but the firm eventually branched out worldwide. King & Spalding's international arbitration practice now includes more than 100 attorneys in its offices around the world and Bishop has emerged as a leading authority on international arbitration.

Among the most notable arbitrations Bishop has led as counsel is his representation of Chevron in one of the largest, most complex and longest-running international arbitrations in history. In Chevron's dispute with Ecuador over a $9.5 billion environmental judgment, the tribunal held Ecuador responsible for breaching its bilateral investment treaty with the US and ordered it to render the judgment unenforceable. 

He has also devoted time and efforts to the general advancement of the field of international arbitration, having served as chairman of the Institute of Transnational Arbitration, as a director of the American Arbitration Association, and on the courts of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre and the London Court of International Arbitration. He also sits on the governing board of the International Congress for Commercial Arbitration.

The legal profession is constantly evolving and that evolution only seems to have accelerated in recent years. What's the biggest change you've seen in the profession during your career?

The biggest change in the legal profession in my career has been the globalization of the economy and the increase in international business disputes in which US lawyers have become involved.

What is one thing about the profession that has remained unchanged over the years?

What has remained unchanged is the professionalism of lawyers.  While there have been some changes to ethical rules over the years, the core of legal ethics has remained essentially the same and lawyers have continued to be professional in their conduct.

What is one piece of advice you would give someone entering into the profession that you wish you had as a young lawyer?

Take control of your own career.  Survey the legal field, decide what you want to do and generally for what clients, develop your expertise by writing and speaking, and be aggressive in developing your practice, consistent with the ethical rules.

An awards ceremony will be held on Sept. 18 at the Belo Mansion in Dallas. The Attorney of the Year award winner will be announced at the ceremony.

Click here for booking information. For information about sponsoring the event, contact Andre Sutton at 757-721-9020 or email [email protected].