The Tea on International Arbitration

To say that Claus von Wobeser took a road less traveled to his exemplary career in international arbitration is an understatement. Gaela and Nicole take time for tea with international arbitration leader Claus von Wobeser, covering a range of issues, from his unusual beginnings in the field of international arbitration, to being on the ground floor of a legal field in its nascency, growing international arbitration in Mexico, the importance of embracing beneficial technology, concerns and cautious hope about the future of the Mexican judiciary, and an exhortation for international arbitration practitioners to embrace page limits.

Gaela and Nicole – along with special guest, Diego Duran de la Vega of Hughes Hubbard & Reed – interview Mexican Federal Judges Angelica Ortuño Suarez, Hilda Elizabeth Plascencia Carrasco, Marlene Angeles Tovar about the sweeping judicial reform that is planned for the Mexican judiciary over the next years. Perhaps the most striking aspect of the reform is subjecting all of Mexico's Federal Judges to election by popular vote. While there are many unknowns with respect to the exact implementation of the reform, one thing is certain: uncertainty. We dive into the uncertainty, what this means for the current judicial bench, the future of the Mexican courts, and whether this might signify a great shift away from Mexican courts and toward international arbitration. With special thanks to Andrea Rodriguez Escobedo, Director of International Programs at Georgetown University Law Center for providing translation during this episode. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, ⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE.⁠⁠⁠

In this episode, we discuss with Tamar Katamadze, a Production Specialist and Underwriter of Political Risk at Mosaic Insurance, various forms of litigation insurance and how it can protect law firms, funders and clients when bringing an international disputes claim. We will discuss among other things, how it works, what it covers, who uses it, what types of insurance are relevant to international arbitration and how much it costs. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, ⁠⁠⁠CLICK HERE.⁠⁠⁠ Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode, we talk tea with Claudia Salomon, the first woman President of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in its 100-year history.  We get a glimpse into what it is like to be at the helm of one of the world's leading and most trusted international arbitration institutions, the ICC's recent Guide for Disability Inclusion in International Arbitration and ADR, the future of  and challenges facing the ICC, and the importance of authenticity and effective communication in leadership. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, ⁠⁠CLICK HERE.⁠⁠ Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this Tea we indulge in the world of investigations and asset recovery. Ashley Messick, managing director and leader of the London disputes and sovereign debt advisory teams at JS Held, sheds light on what companies like hers do, how investigations and asset recovery work in real life and in practice (and how they should not), and how this field helps parties from the outset determine legal strategy, acquire evidence to win cases, and of course, recover judgments. So tune in for yet another exciting episode and join our journey as we dive into this world and hear stories and anecdotes from one of the best in the field. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, ⁠CLICK HERE.⁠ Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode we talk to thought leaders, Sofia Klot, Orlando Cabrera and Elizabeth Chan, about their organization's proposed guidelines: the Silicon Valley Center's Proposed Guidelines for the Use of AI in Arbitration. We discuss with drafters of the AI Guidelines the impetus behind the rules, how the public is reacting to them, the hurdles they have faced, the positive feedback they have received, and how they will eventually implement them and put them into practice. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Gaela and Nicole invite Alejandra Parra-Orlandoni, VP of Ethical Innovation & Privacy for the Global Portfolio Division at Takeda, to share her thoughts on AI – specifically Generative AI – its potential upsides, downsides and epistemological implications in the field of international dispute resolution. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

A conversation with Adrián Magallanes, Shaparak Saleh, and Lindsey Schmidt, three leading practitioners from Mexico, France, and the United States, about challenges that can arise in the enforcement of international arbitration awards, idiosyncrasies in and differences between jurisdictions, the importance of having a creative and early enforcement plan, and how politics might lend a hand. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Talking Tea and the building blocks of modern day commercial arbitration with the one and only Ann Marie Whitesell. In this episode, we look back on Anne Marie's illustrious and diverse career and learn how to best navigate and succeed in a career in international arbitration. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Welcome to our 2023 Season. First up: a trailer for 'Sippin' Tea with Prof. Anne Marie Whitesell' to come later this month. This episode will air in conjunction with Georgetown University Law Center's International Arbitration Month, which the D.C.'s Bar's very own 'The Tea on International Arbitration' is proud to sponsor. Visit Georgetown's GIAS page HERE.

Join as we sip tea with Megan Easley and Andrew Mutter and discuss and learn about protecting against potential loss in arbitration. We bet you never knew how exciting and groundbreaking this topic can be, and we promise you will learn something new about this exciting product (which can be used by claimants and respondents alike!). To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Join us as we dive into the world of tech, featuring a conversation with Dmitri about his new vision Arbitration City, a community and social platform for arbitration users and fans. In this episode, we also take a trip down memory lane, discuss Dmitri's career trajectory, and his plans to serve as arbitrator. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Gaela and Nicole share Tea with Meg Kinnear, Vice President of the World Bank Group and Secretary-General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID). We hear a bit about Meg's origin story, look back on 13 years at ICSID, and get a taste for what is in store for Meg in the future. We also get answers to burning questions about the new ICSID Rule Amendments, what Meg might do if she had a magic wand, the diversity imperative, and having a sidebar with Elizabeth Warren. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode Nicole and Gaela discuss with International Arbitration counsel and arbitrator Baiju Vasani his recent decision to withdraw from his representation of Russia following its invasion of Ukraine, whether everyone is entitled to representation, and if so, on what terms, the importance of mentorship in “big law”, and how to tackle problems of diversity and integration. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

In this episode, Nicole and Gaela speak with Matthew Stennes, Vice President, Chief Litigation & Investigations Counsel for Medtronic. Our discussion focuses on disputes in the life sciences sector, offers a fresh perspective on arbitration (and even a compelling plug for litigation), thoughts on supply chain issues, exciting strategies for increasing diversity, and a reminder about the importance of facts and science and how they can save lives. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Gaela and Nicole start the New Year off right, sharing tea with Karl Hennessee, Senior Vice President, and Global Head of Litigation, Investigations, and Regulatory Affairs at Airbus. Karl shares his thoughts on intriguing topics including International Arbitration practice in the age of Omicron, who is responsible for diversity (or lack thereof) in international arbitration?, the supply chain debacle, and who would win in a cage match US Litigation or International Arbitration? To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 2 of 2. To listen to Part 1, CLICK HERE. Join Gaela, Nicole, and special guest Bart Wasiak, as they get the tea from Anna Bilanová and Jarek Kudrna, Deputy Head and Head of the International Arbitration and Investment Protection Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Anna and Jarek share their wisdom and insight from the perspective of one of the sovereign legal teams with the most experience handling investment treaty arbitrations. Get the tea on hot issues like transparency, reform in investor-state dispute settlement, intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, and what Anna and Jarek might do with a magic wand. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 1 of 2. Join Gaela, Nicole, and special guest Bart Wasiak, as they get the tea from Anna Bilanová and Jarek Kudrna, Deputy Head and Head of the International Arbitration and Investment Protection Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic. Anna and Jarek share their wisdom and insight from the perspective of one of the sovereign legal teams with the most experience handling investment treaty arbitrations. Get the tea on hot issues like transparency, reform in investor-state dispute settlement, intra-EU bilateral investment treaties, and what Anna and Jarek might do with a magic wand. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

On this International Women's Day, join Nicole and Gaela as they interview Dana C. MacGrath, Investment Manager and Legal Counsel at Omni Bridgeway, for the tea on all things dispute financing. Diversity and inclusion issues in international arbitration also make a cameo in this episode, highlighted through Ms. MacGrath's experience as current president of the Board of Directors of ArbitralWomen. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 2 of 2. International arbitration damages experts Isabel Kunsman, Rebecca Vélez, and Yelena Aleksandrovich sit down for another round with Gaela and Nicole to discuss all things quantum. In Part Two, we get the tea on fascinating concepts like Monte Carlo simulations, the Latin Hypercube, the potential effect that the pandemic might have on valuations, and how international arbitration lawyers might improve their damages game. Teen Talk Barbie even makes an appearance! To listen to Part 1, CLICK HERE. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 1 of 2. International arbitration damages experts Isabel Kunsman, Rebecca Vélez, and Yelena Aleksandrovich sit down with Gaela and Nicole to discuss all things quantum. In Part One, we get the tea on what damages principles and strategies are the most challenging for both attorneys and experts to truly understand and implement. Listen in to get the tea on valuation certainty, market risk, and the importance of independent damages experts. Part 2 will be released on December 14. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Nicole and Gaela sit down with Professor Douglas to hear his thoughts on best practices for counsel and arbitrators alike, as well as the current state of affairs for international arbitration – where it's been, where it's going, and how best to ensure it remains relevant and just. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 2 of 2. Nicole and Gaela get into some of the thornier issues surrounding diversity and inclusion in international arbitration with Arif Ali, Co-chair of Dechert's International Arbitration practice. For Part 1, CLICK HERE. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 1 of 2. Nicole and Gaela get into some of the thornier issues surrounding diversity and inclusion in international arbitration with Arif Ali, Co-chair of Dechert's International Arbitration practice. For Part 2, CLICK HERE. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Nicole and Gaela have a casual chat with Patrick Pearsall, Esq. about critical issues facing International Arbitration today and shaping the field for tomorrow. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 2 of 2. Nicole and Gaela are joined by independent Arbitrator Mark Kantor, Esq. to discuss recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions and their impact on international arbitration. For Part 1, CLICK HERE. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Part 1 of 2. Nicole and Gaela are joined by independent Arbitrator Mark Kantor, Esq. to discuss recent U.S. Supreme Court Decisions and their impact on international arbitration. Part 2 will be released on July 27. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Nicole Silver, Esq. and Gaela Gehring Flores, Esq. speak with Mahnaz Malik, Esq., a barrister with Twenty Essex in London, about the recent Treaty terminating 130 intra-EU BITs and what it and the Achmea decision mean for the future of arbitration and foreign direct investment in Europe and beyond. To learn more about or join the D.C. Bar International Law Community, CLICK HERE. You do not have to be a D.C. Bar Member to join! Please note, the positions and opinions expressed by the speakers are strictly their own, and do not necessarily represent the views of their employers, nor those of the D.C. Bar, its Board of Governors or co-sponsoring Communities and organizations.

Join the D.C. Bar International Law Community for "The Tea on International Arbitration," the latest channel on the D.C. Bar Communities Podcast Network. Listen and Subscribe at anchor.fm/DCBarTea