Arbitral Insights

New York-based independent arbitrator Dana MacGrath FCIArb is our guest for this episode of ‘Spotlight on…’ with our host Gautam Bhattacharyya. Dana shares how she found her career in law and international arbitration, the mentors she has learnt from throughout her professional life, the role of women in international arbitration, and what it means to step away from ‘big law’.

Miami-based Gilberto Guerrero-Rocca welcomes guest speaker, attorney, and legal scholar Luis A. Bergolla to explore the changing definitions of “investment” and “dual nationals.” The duo discuss the impacts of, and takeaways from, the recent case of ICSID Gramercy v. Peru. They then cover jurisdictional awards from a recent PCA case, followed by a brief exploration into whether dual nationals satisfy the ratione materiae and ratione personae prongs of the jurisdictional test.

Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes prominent international arbitrator and Founder of Careers in Arbitration and ARBalance Amanda Lee to discuss Amanda’s career story, her mentors, and her views on what the hardest thing is about being an arbitrator. Amanda then shares her views for furthering DEI and belonging in arbitration in a response that Gautam commends as one of the very finest expositions of the importance of all aspects of DEI he has ever heard.

Singapore-based counsel Joyce Fong welcomes Head of International Arbitration for Frasers Law Company (Vietnam) Earl Rivera-Dolera to explore the international arbitration landscape in Vietnam. The duo discuss common jurisdiction and governing law clause choices for contracts involving Vietnam-based projects and the “winning formula” to maximize enforcement opportunities in Vietnam, before reviewing common grounds for challenging the recognition and enforcement of foreign awards in Vietnam and closing with a review of areas of desired reform. 

In the second of our 2023 Greener Arbitrations mock debates, comperes Alison Eslick and Vanessa Thieffry welcome Dubai-based Antonia Birt and Houston-based Daniel Avila as they tussle with whether the Green Model Procedural Order is unavoidable.

We are delighted to share a dedicated “Spotlight on…” podcast episode for South Asian Heritage Month (SAHM) 2023. This year’s SAHM theme is “Stories to Tell.” Today, we welcome Kawsar Zaman, elected Alderman of the City of London, barrister at No5 Chambers, and LSE guest teacher, to tell us his. 

Gautam Bhattacharyya welcomes the director of the Center for Transnational Litigation, Arbitration, and Commercial Law at NYU School of Law, and international arbitrator, Franco Ferrari to discuss the path that led him to a career in law and international arbitration. The pair discuss Franco’s passion for academia and the freedom it affords, memorable venues for arbitration, and the need to resist “proceduralizing” arbitration. They close with a mention of a certain New York restaurant dish named after Franco and his plans for his upcoming sabbatical. 

Our Greener Arbitrations miniseries is back – and in debate form, no less. In the first of our mock debates examining how to reduce the environmental impact of arbitration, Paris-based Vanessa Thieffry and Dubai-based Alison Eslick welcome international arbitration lawyers Suzie Savage and Matthew Townsend as they argue for arbitration agreements to be amended to include sustainability measures, against opponents Joyce Fong and Patrick Beale.

Arbitrator, counsel, academic, and co-founder of REAL (Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers) Dr. Kabir Duggal joins host Gautam Bhattacharyya for this “Spotlight on…” session. The duo discuss how Kabir found the law, who has influenced him the most along his career path, and what makes for a good international arbitration lawyer. They then explore Kabir’s first appointment as arbitrator, the early years of investment treaty arbitration, and what more we can all do to embrace DEI in the world of arbitration and beyond.

Monique Sasson joins Gautam Bhattacharyya for this “Spotlight on…” session. Monique, an Italian avvocato and English solicitor advocate, shares what attracted her to the field of law and to arbitration, career mentors she encountered on the road to becoming an arbitrator and key takeaways from acting as an arbitrator in three different jurisdictions. Monique also discusses her academic background, the process involved in authoring academic articles, and potential improvements to streamline the arbitral process.