This week we travel (virtually) to Mexico City for a powerful conversation with arbitrator, law firm founder, entrepreneur, wine enthusiast—and CIArb North America Chair—Cecilia Flores Rueda!

🎙️ In this episode, Cecilia shares:

Her early legal journey, how she discovered arbitration by accident, and helped build Canaco’s ADR center from the ground up

What it means to be a woman in arbitration and the importance of just doing it—even when the doors don’t open easily

Tips for young lawyers: building a niche, gaining real-world experience, and not being afraid to network boldly

Reflections on her entrepreneurial ventures, including Real Hearing, which provides AI-powered transcription services

And her newest challenge? Studying to become a certified sommelier 🍷

Whether you’re an aspiring practitioner, an established arbitrator, or just here for good storytelling—this is one not to miss.

Opening Notes – 00:32

Interview Begins – 03:20

Closing Notes – 26:22

Arbitration texts by Gary Born, Martin Hunter, and Manuel Gallardo

Wine & classical music books (general reference; no specific titles cited)

🎼 Amazon Prime’s “Concentration Playlist” (Classical music for focused work)

🎧 Platinum Pop Playlist (Workout/fun)

🎻 Summer concert season of the Minari Orchestra (Mexico) (Live performances)

🔗 After the Show 

Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

Feedback, comments or submissions: [email protected]

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind. No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point. All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer. All rights reserved.

Welcome back to Season 7 of Tales of the Tribunal!

We’re thrilled to bring you another powerful conversation in this week’s episode. Our guest is the incomparable Dr. Emilia Onyema, professor at SOAS University of London, international arbitrator, and global thought leader on justice, inclusion, and reform in international dispute resolution.

🎙️ In this episode, Emilia shares:

Her personal journey from Nigeria to the UK, and how her father’s advice changed her career

Why Africanization of arbitration matters—and what it should (and shouldn’t) mean

A clear-eyed look at inclusion, diversity, and who gets to sit at the arbitral table

The evolving roles of arbitrators in the age of AI, ESG, and social accountability

Her active research on African women arbitrators and third-party participation in ISDS

Reflections on boundaries, solitude, mentorship—and walking through life with purpose

Opening Notes – 00:32

Interview Begins – 03:31

Closing Notes – 54:25

People Fuel: Fill Your Tank for Life, Love, and Leadership by Dr. John Townsend

Christian Radio: Emilia listens to uplifting Christian programming

Artists of the 80s:

🎶 Michael Jackson – “Rock With You”

🎶 Diana Ross – “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough”

🎶 Luther Vandross – “Never Too Much”

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40833847/admin/

Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

For Feedback, comments or submissions contact [email protected]

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.

Welcome back to Tales of the Tribunal – Season 7 is here!

After a bit of a break, we’re thrilled to be back with a new season of global stories, personal journeys, and bold conversations from the world of international law and dispute resolution. Thanks for sticking with us!

We’re kicking off this season with a long-overdue conversation with none other than Tafadzwa “Tafi” Pasipanodya, Partner at Foley Hoag LLP in Washington, D.C., and a fierce advocate for sovereign states in high-stakes international disputes.

In this powerful and wide-ranging discussion, Tafi shares her journey from Harare to Princeton to NYU Law, and how her passion for international justice and post-conflict reconstruction led her to represent states at the ICJ, in investor-state arbitrations, and beyond.

She also dives deep into:

How she manages the balance between technical complexity and compelling storytelling in arbitration

The legitimacy crisis in ISDS and what true diversity means in global adjudication

Her work with the ICC Court of Arbitration, the African Society of International Law, and an upcoming book on Africa and the Law of the Sea

Plus: surf lessons, parenting in the tech age, and dancing to Afrobeats in Lisbon 🌍🎶

⏱️ Timestamps:

Opening Notes: 00:00:36

Interview Begins: ~00:02:30

Closing Notes: ~00:59:20

📚 Books Mentioned:

The Anxious Generation: How the Great Rewiring of Childhood Is Causing an Epidemic of Mental Illness – Jonathan Haidt

🎶 Music & Genres Mentioned:

Afrobeats – 🎧 Essence by Wizkid ft. Tems

Salsa – 💃 Vivir Mi Vida by Marc Anthony

Classical Music – 🎻 Cello Suite No. 1 in G Major – J.S. Bach (Yo-Yo Ma)

🔗 After the Show 

Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

Feedback, comments or submissions: [email protected]

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind. No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point. All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer. All rights reserved.

Show Notes:

Welcome back to another edition of Tales of the Tribunal! This week, we bring you an exciting deep dive into the first-ever AtlAS Pre-Moot, a premier event in the Southeast U.S. designed to sharpen the skills of aspiring arbitration advocates before the Vis Moots in Vienna and Hong Kong.

Hosted in Atlanta, Georgia, this inaugural Pre-Moot featured teams from:

🏛️ University of South Carolina School of Law

The competition brought intensity, brilliance, and camaraderie — setting the tone for what may become a major annual tradition in the arbitration calendar.

🏆 Results Recap:

Tune in as we share highlights, behind-the-scenes moments, and exclusive interviews with team members, coaches, and organizers who made this event a huge success.

Time Stamps:

University of South Carolina -1:30 

University of Georgia - 5:33

Zach Torres-Fowler, Troutman Pepper - 10:00

Emory - 11:55

Campbell - 15:23

Closing Notes - 19:50

DISPUTES DIGEST

Week of February 24, 2025

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Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

For Feedback, comments or submissions contact [email protected]

News:

None of the views shared today or any episode of Disputes Digest is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or viewpoint.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.

DISPUTES DIGEST

Week of February 20, 2025

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Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

For Feedback, comments or submissions contact [email protected]

News:

None of the views shared today or any episode of Disputes Digest is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or viewpoint.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.

In a Tales of the Tribunal exclusive, we provide an audio version of the 32nd Wilhelm C. Vis Moot Case Problem.  The same will be loaded on our forthcoming YouTube Channel.

This was an ambitious and exciting undertaking and we are eager to know your thoughts!

If you would like your work--legal article, arbitral rules, or other documents produced in similar fashion, please get in touch at:

[email protected] 

Track List for Vis Problem (2024-2025)

We are saddened to learn of the passing of friend of the show and previous guest, Calvin Hamilton.  Calvin was a dear friend and he will be missed by those that knew him including a number of institutions in the international and commercial legal worlds. 

He was a champion for the underrepresented, especially those in the Caribbean and for supporting international law.

This episode is a re-air of his appearance on the show along with opening and closing notes honoring his legacy. 

Here is the GAR Article discussing his passing: https://globalarbitrationreview.com/article/in-memoriam

Opening Notes - :40

Episode Begins - 2:12

Personal Shift - 41:45

Closing Notes: 55:57

Comments and feedback may be sent to [email protected] 

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.

Dr. S.I. Strong 

Season 6 Finale! It has been action packed season here at Tales of the Tribunal and we have exciting new content and initiatives to bring you in the weeks and months ahead.  But before we get there, we bring you one more conversation --

This week, Chris sits down with Dr. Stacie Strong—a Californian at heart who built a career in international law, spanning continents and disciplines. From groundbreaking arbitration cases to her insights on AI, legal tech, and navigating the field of international dispute resolution, this episode is packed with inspiration, humor, and practical advice for aspiring lawyers and seasoned practitioners alike.

ARB-Tech:

https://www.arbtech.io/podcast 

VIAC Congress:

https://www.viac.eu/en/service/upcoming-events/3rd-viac-can-congress 

Time Stamps:

Books: @ 54:50

Music: @ 57:35

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40833847/admin/

Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

For Feedback, comments or submissions contact [email protected]

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.

Dean Joel Samuels, College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina

In this episode of Tales of the Tribunal, host Chris Campbell sits down with Joel Samuels, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences at the University of South Carolina. Joel shares his incredible journey, from his childhood in Washington D.C. and Sierra Leone to becoming a leader in international law and academia. He discusses his role in founding the Rule of Law Collaborative, his career in both private practice and academia, and the importance of holistic justice. Joel also reflects on his leadership experiences, including coaching roller derby, and the lessons he's learned about leadership, law, and life. Whether you’re interested in international law, academia, or unique leadership experiences, this episode offers valuable insights and stories.

ARB-Tech:

https://www.arbtech.io/podcast 

Time Stamps:

• Opening Notes - :38

Books: @ 45:20

• What Happened to Ruthy Ramirez by Claire Jiménez (45:44)

Music: @ 46:30

• Michael Kiwanuka

Follow us on LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/40833847/admin/

Check out our website: TalesOfTheTribunal.com

For Feedback, comments or submissions contact [email protected]

None of the views shared today or any episode of Tales of the Tribunal is presented as legal advice nor advice of any kind.  No compensation was provided to any organization or party for their inclusion on the show nor do any of the statements made represent any particular organization, legal position or view point.  All interviewees or organizations included appear on an arms-length basis and their appearance should not be construed as any bias or preferred affiliation with the host or host’s employer.  All rights reserved.