Regional Representatives The YIAG Regional Representatives are responsible for supporting the YIAG Co-Chairs and are responsible for promoting YIAG and its activities in their geographical region or via their designated channel. Find out more about the YIAG Regional Representatives below: Regional Representatives for Africa Regional Representatives for Asia Pacific Regional Representatives for Europe Regional Representative for Latin America Regional Representative for the Middle East Regional Representatives for North America Kluwer Arbitration Blog Representatives Vis Moot Representative Africa Mitchell Aghatise - Nigeria Mitchell Aghatise is a Senior Associate and Team Lead at Olaniwun Ajayi LP, where he has built nearly a decade of experience at the intersection of international arbitration, litigation, complex commercial transactions, and public policy reform. A graduate of the University of Leicester (LL.B) and the London School of Economics & Political Science (LL.M, International Business Law)—where he earned a distinction in Advanced Issues in International Commercial Arbitration—Mitchell combines academic excellence with practical experience advising sovereigns, multinational corporations, and financial institutions on cross-border disputes and investments. His arbitration practice spans institutional and ad-hoc proceedings, as well as investor–state investment treaty disputes. In this wise, he has advised in bilateral investment treaty arbitrations on issues of expropriation and fair and equitable treatment; acted as counsel to a sovereign wealth fund in a multimillion-dollar investment arbitration; represented an international institution in an ad-hoc arbitration under European Development Fund procedural rules; and handled several routine commercial arbitrations including energy-related disputes arising from gas supply and take-or-pay agreements. Mitchell has also led teams in enforcement and set-aside proceedings across South Africa, Germany, and Lithuania, engaging complex questions under the Cape Town Convention and cross-border enforcement regimes. In 2023, Mitchell was seconded to Trinity International LLP in London, where he worked on cross-border energy and infrastructure mandates, further refining his ability to bridge international best practices with the realities of emerging markets. He also completed the 2025 cohort of the flagship Africa Arbitration Academy, an intensive program that deepens expertise in international arbitration practice and advocacy, across the continent. Beyond practice, Mitchell serves as Vice Chair of the International Trade Committee of the Nigerian Bar Association – Section on Business Law (NBA-SBL), where he contributes to dialogue on trade, investment, and legal reform in Africa. He grounds his work in the values of integrity, excellence, and service—advancing both the commercial interests of his clients and the broader development of fair, transparent, and sustainable legal systems. Beyeeman Akyea - Ghana Beyeeman Ofori–Atta Akyea is a Director and Senior Associate at Zoe, Akyea & Co., a long-established and highly regarded law firm based in Ghana. He is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and a licensed insolvency practitioner, principally trained and admitted to practise in England and Wales, Ghana, and the State of New York. Beyeeman offers exceptional, fearless, and first-class representation and regularly acts in complex, contentious, and multi-jurisdictional disputes, often involving investment and commercial arbitration under the major institutional arbitration rules. His pre-eminent areas of expertise include Construction and Energy, Banking and Finance, White-Collar Crime, and Private Client Wealth Management for enterprising and established multinational companies, banks and financial institutions, state entities, regulators, non-profit organisations, foreign law firms, and high-profile individuals across a broad spectrum of industries. He is a destrier in arbitration and litigation. Dipna Gunnoo - Mauritius Dipna Gunnoo is a fully bilingual (English and French) and dual-qualified lawyer specialized in international business law, international dispute resolution (international arbitration, mediation, negotiation) and commercial law. She is also a certified (civil/commercial) mediator accredited by ADR ODR International. Dipna has worked on a wide range of high-profile cross-border matters, often relating to or within the African and European continents, in various sectors and areas.She also teaches international arbitration at the Mauritian campus of the Université Paris 2 Panthéon-Assas in its LL.M and LL. B programs. She was appointed as the Regional Coordinator for Africa of Young ICCA in January 2022, and she has been a member of the LCIA African Users’ Council since 2024. In 2024, Dipna was selected by the Selection Committee of the Africa Arbitration Academy to participate in its three-week flagship training programme in London and has been a member of this organisation since then. Mercy Okiro - Kenya Mercy Okiro, FCIArb, brings over a decade of post-admission experience to her practice. She has represented and advised local and international clients, particularly in alternative dispute resolution, election disputes, corporate and ESG governance, legislative and policy reform, construction law and sports law. She has served as the sole arbitrator, mediator, and construction adjudicator in disputes across various industries. Mercy is a member of the panels of neutrals for several local and regional institutions. Mercy is an active member of the arbitration community, serving as an Advisory Board member of the Lagos Court of Arbitration (Young Arbitrators Network), as well as a Steering Committee Member of Equality for Representation in Arbitration, Africa. Mercy is the current Chairperson of the board of the National Construction Authority in Kenya. She is the Convenor of the Law Society of Kenya’s Sports Disputes Tribunal Bar-Bench Committee and an adjunct faculty member of the Kenya School of Law and Strathmore University. Mercy’s academic background includes a Master of Arts in International Studies and Diplomacy from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Laws degree in International Commercial and Investment Arbitration from Queen Mary University of London, and an Oxford Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration. She also has professional certifications in corporate governance, trade law and policy, ESG governance, legal audits, arbitration, mediation, and sports dispute resolution. In 2019, she was honoured as “The Young African Arbitration Practitioner of the Year 2019”; she was also listed as one of Africa’s Most Promising Young Arbitrators in 2020, 2021, and 2022 by the Association of Young Arbitrators. Additionally, she was named second runner-up as ADR Practitioner of the Year in 2021 by the Law Society of Kenya, Nairobi Branch. In 2023, she received the Jury’s Award for her contributions to ADR from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Kenya. The Women on Boards Network also feted her as the first runner-up in the category “Woman on Board Award” in 2023. She has been named as one of Kenya’s top 100 arbitration practitioners in 2022, 2023, and 2024 by Lawyer Africa. Ivan Okuda - Uganda Born in 1993 in Uganda, Ivan Okuda, FCIArb is an Advocate currently working as Legal Associate with the leading Ugandan law firm, Anguria & Co. Advocates where he specializes in Construction Law, Energy Law and Arbitration. In 2024, Okuda was inducted as a Fellow of the UK’s Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb). He is also a member of Uganda’s Construction Law Institute (CLI), the Uganda Law Society and the East Africa Law Society. He has represented and continues to represent clients in arbitration matters including at the International Court of Arbitration of the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC) where he has acted as Lead Counsel in international construction disputes involving infrastructure and energy projects in Africa. He has also acted as Lead Counsel for clients with construction and energy disputes under Uganda’s International Center for Arbitration and Mediation in Kampala (ICAMEK) as well as the courts of law in Uganda. Ivan is also regularly nominated and appointed as an Arbitrator by parties in East Africa and is considered in the industry as a rising star in the areas of construction law, energy and arbitration. He obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the Law Development Center (LDC) in Uganda, a Master of Arts in Journalism and Media Studies (specializing in Media Law and Investigative Journalism) from South Africa’s University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, where he was a Konrad Adenaeur Stiftung (KAS) Media Africa Scholar in 2019. In 2025, he graduated with a Master of Laws in Construction Law and Arbitration from Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen, Scotland. He is an alumnus of the United States of America’s Department of State’s professional exchange program, the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP). He is passionate about arbitration, regularly writes thought-leadership articles on the subject and has been published by the Kluwer Arbitration blog. Herman Omiti - Kenya Herman Omiti is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Partner, Finance & Strategy and Head of the Dispute Resolution Department at the Firm of Ngeri, Omiti & Bush Advocates LLP. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B.) Degree from Moi University and a Post Graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. With keen interest in Dispute Resolution matters where he does mostly litigation, arbitration and mediation, Herman has extensive experience in handling disputes before the Supreme Court, the Court of Appeal, the High Court as well as other specialized Tribunals. As a way of giving back to society, Herman is from time to time engaged in pro bono briefs in partnership with Kituo Cha Sheria and the Court of Appeal Legal Aid Program. His expertise extends beyond dispute resolution and has acted and advised various clients in different areas of law including Intellectual Property Law, Information, Communication & Technology Law, Real Estate Development & Construction Law; Electoral Law and Election related disputes; Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution, Media & Technology Law, Constitutional and Administrative Law; Comparative Law and Governance; Environmental and Land Law; Health Law; Tax Law; Procurement Law; Company Law; Insolvency Law; and Employment Law. Adeleresimi Philips-Adeleye - Nigeria Adeleresimi is a Senior Associate at Aluko & Oyebode, a leading full-service Nigerian law firm, where she is a core member of the Dispute Resolution Practice. She also plays an active role in the firm’s Construction & Infrastructure, and Energy & Natural Resources Practice Groups. Her practice focuses on arbitration, litigation, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution, representing both international and domestic clients in complex and high-value disputes across diverse sectors including oil and gas, infrastructure, construction, banking, fintech, employment, and human rights. In addition to her disputes work, Adeleresimi advises on a wide range of construction and engineering contracts, including FIDIC, JCT, and bespoke EPC/EPCM agreements. Her experience spans multiple industries such as oil and gas, power, hospitality, and large-scale infrastructure. She supports corporates, contractors, and public institutions on contract drafting and negotiation, project execution, risk management, and dispute avoidance, providing end-to-end legal support across the project lifecycle. She brings international experience through a secondment with the International Arbitration team at Hogan Lovells LLP, London, and has undertaken specialist training with the International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC), Delos, and the Nigerian Institute of Chartered Arbitrators. Adeleresimi contributes to thought leadership in the field of Construction Law and International Arbitration, including published contributions to the International Bar Association (IBA) and Lexology. In 2025, she was nominated as one of Nigeria’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars by the ESQ Legal Awards. In addition to serving as a YIAG Regional Representative for Africa, she currently volunteers as Senior Counsel at the Lagos Chamber of Commerce International Arbitration Centre (LACIAC), where she supports initiatives promoting arbitration and ADR across the continent. Asia Pacific Sunita Advani - Singapore Ms Sunita P. Advani is an arbitral assistant to Mr Michael Lee, an experienced English arbitrator member of Twenty Essex. She assists Mr Lee as tribunal secretary in his high-value and multi-jurisdictional commercial arbitrations across a wide variety of industries (e.g. energy, construction, M&A, joint ventures, etc.) and administered by the major arbitral institutions globally (such as the LCIA, ICC, SIAC and HKIAC). Prior to this, Ms Advani practised international arbitration as an Associate at a leading international law firm in Singapore, and also worked as a Research Assistant at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment at Columbia Law School in New York City. Ms Advani holds an LL.B. from the University of Nottingham, and an LL.M. from the University of California, Berkeley, School of Law, where she was the Executive Editor of Berkeley Business Law Journal. She is admitted to practise in England & Wales, New York, Singapore and Ireland. Ms Advani is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and a Member of the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). She is also the Founder and Chair of Singapore Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (SG VYAP). Ian Cheng - Hong Kong Ian specialises in international arbitration and dispute resolution. He has over eight years of post-qualification experience handling complex arbitration cases involving construction disputes. He also possesses experience in advising companies on employment law matters and in handling criminal prosecutions as a prosecutor on fiat. Ian has various public appointments in Hong Kong, including as member of the Appeal Panel (Housing) and the Appeal Board (Hotel and Guesthouse Accommodation). Ian was educated in the University of Bristol (LLB) and the City University of Hong Kong (PCLL). He was admitted as a Solicitor of Hong Kong in 2017. He is a Fellow of the Charted Institute of Arbitrators (FCiarb) and a HKIAC-accredited Tribunal Secretary. Joyce Fong - Singapore Joyce is a Counsel at Reed Smith in Singapore. Her practice spans international commercial arbitration, mediation and litigation, with a focus on complex, high-value, cross-border disputes. She has advised and represented clients from a broad range of industries, including energy and natural resources, life sciences, transportation and emerging technologies. Having grown up in Malaysia and been based in Singapore since 2013, Joyce brings a genuine appreciation of the commercial and cultural diversity of the Asia Pacific region. She has acted in arbitrations under the SIAC, ICC, LCIA and HKIAC Rules, and has managed court proceedings in jurisdictions including London, Singapore, Korea, India, Hong Kong and Australia. Joyce holds an MA and LLM from the University of Cambridge. She is admitted as a Solicitor Advocate in England and Wales and is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She enjoys working with parties and co-counsel from different jurisdictions and perspectives, and is passionate about fostering cross-border collaboration within the arbitration community. Gayatri Gogoi - Japan Gayatri is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution team of Herbert Smith Freehills' Kramer's Tokyo office. She regularly advises Asian and global clients on complex cross-border disputes, including international arbitration and litigation involving commercial, financial, and regulatory issues. Gayatri's practice spans sectors including construction, infrastructure, technology, energy, and financial services. She has advised clients on disputes under major arbitral rules including LCIA, ICC, and HKIAC. She has supported the management of multi-jurisdictional litigation and arbitration involving leading Japanese and international corporates and trading houses. Her experience includes disputes arising from a wide range of commercial agreements including from M&A transactions, construction contracts, insurance policies and JV contracts. Since relocating to Tokyo in 2024, Gayatri has worked closely with in-house legal teams and regional counsel to deliver strategic, commercially focused advice that aligns with both international standards and local expectations. Prior to joining the Tokyo office, she practised for a number of years in the firm's London office, where she advised global clients in high-value disputes before the English courts and arbitral tribunals. She also has experience in internal investigations and regulatory enforcement matters. Gayatri maintains a strong commitment to access to justice and has contributed to global pro bono initiatives with a focus on the empowerment of vulnerable communities. She is a Registered Foreign Lawyer (Gaikokuho Jimu Bengoshi) in Japan and a qualified solicitor in England and Wales, holding Higher Rights of Audience as a Solicitor Advocate. Shreya Gupta - India Shreya Gupta is a partner at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co. and is based in Mumbai, India. She specialises in international and domestic arbitration and complex commercial litigation. She has represented clients in arbitrations seated in Singapore, London, Delaware, Mumbai and Delhi, under SIAC, LCIA, ICC and SCMA rules, across industries including energy, construction, infrastructure, biotechnology and real estate. Shreya also acts as arbitrator. Shreya also represents clients in court facing aspects relating to arbitrations, such as challenges to arbitral awards, enforcement and execution of awards, as well interim relief applications. Additionally, she has acted in several high-stakes litigations involving company law matters, constitutional challenges and regulatory disputes. Shreya also assists Indian clients in managing their litigations before foreign courts. Shreya extensively advises clients on the drafting of arbitration clauses and structuring of transactions from a disputes and enforcement perspective, as well as on sanctions and tariff related issues. She is also active in the global arbitration community and is on the Steering Committee of the Cambridge Forum for Asian Arbitration Counsel 2025-2026. Eden Jardine - Australia Eden is a Senior Associate at Corrs Chambers Westgarth in Sydney, Australia. She is a dual-qualified lawyer, admitted to practise in both Australia and England & Wales, with a focus on international arbitration, commercial litigation, and dispute resolution. Eden brings over seven years of international experience to her practice. She holds a Master of Laws (LL.M.) in International Dispute Resolution from the Humboldt University of Berlin and has worked at leading international law firms in London and Frankfurt. Eden has acted for multinational corporations and sovereign states in complex investment treaty and commercial arbitrations, particularly in the energy, natural resources, and mining sectors. Her experience spans cross-border disputes involving enforcement, annulment, and jurisdictional challenges, and she has also served as a tribunal secretary. In addition to her core practice, Eden advises on corporate disputes and maintains a strong interest in space law and policy. Alongside her role as the LCIA YIAG’s Regional Representative, Eden sits on the under-45 Steering Committee of the Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA45). Jingjing Li - China Jingjing Li is an associate at Zhong Lun Law Firm and her practice focuses on international arbitration. She has extensive experience representing clients in international arbitrations seated in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Singapore, and many other jurisdictions, with cases involving international sale of goods, Sino-foreign joint ventures, equity transfers, EPC, license agreements and so forth. Her experience includes proceedings under various arbitration rules, including those of the ICC, HKIAC, SIAC, UNCITRAL, CIETAC, SHIAC, etc. Jingjing also represents clients in sports arbitration (CAS) and advises clients on investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS) matters. Jingjing also serves as a tribunal secretary and assistant in international proceedings. She completed the HKIAC Tribunal Secretary Training Programme with distinction. Jingjing is a listed arbitrator with Dispute Resolution for Riot Games’ Esports (EMEA) and a founding member of China VYAP (Very Young Arbitration Practitioners). Jingjing is dual-qualified in both China and England & Wales. Her international legal education includes an LLB and an LLM from the China University of Political Science and Law (CUPL) and an LLM from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE). She also studied at the University of Lucerne in Switzerland as a full-scholarship exchange student. Raunaq Bahadur Mathur - India Raunaq is a Partner at Saraf and Partners and a leading arbitration and commercial disputes practitioner, with over 15 years’ experience in international and domestic arbitration, commercial litigation, and regulatory strategy. She has represented clients in several high profile and complex disputes involving foreign investment structures, joint ventures and cross-border enforcement. Her expertise spans investment treaty arbitration, shareholder disputes, economic tort claims, multi-jurisdictional conflicts, and complex issues in the telecommunications, media, infrastructure, oil & gas, mining, hospitality, and healthcare sectors. She has extensive experience in institutional arbitrations as well as in ad hoc arbitral proceedings, and regularly appears before the Supreme Court of India and various Indian High Courts in a wide range of commercial and arbitration-related matters. Raunaq is admitted to practice in India. She has been recognised as a ‘Litigation Star’ for Commercial and Transactional Disputes by Benchmark Litigation in its Asia-Pacific Rankings 2025. She was also featured as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in the Legal 500 Asia Pacific 2025 Rankings and recognised as a ‘Future Legal Leader’ by India Business Law Journal. Raunaq holds an LL.M. in Business Laws from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore and a B.A. LL.B. (Hons.) from Barkatullah University (formerly, Bhopal University), earning gold medals for academic excellence in both degrees. Europe Shreya Aren - UK Shreya Aren is a counsel in Debevoise & Plimpton’s International Dispute Resolution Group and is based in the London office. Her practice focuses on international commercial and investment treaty arbitration as well as arbitration-related litigation. Ms. Aren has acted for corporate and state clients under a wide range of institutional rules including ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC and LCIA, as well as in ad-hoc arbitrations under the English Arbitration Act 1996. She has also acted in arbitration-related court proceedings, such as anti-suit injunctions and challenges to awards, before the English courts. She has experience across a number of different sectors, including energy, life sciences, telecommunications, insurance and financial services. Ms. Aren is recommended by The Legal 500 UK (2026) as a Next Generation Partner in International Arbitration and Lexology Index (formerly Who’s Who Legal) as a Future Leader. She is Co-Chair of the Steering Committee for Young Mumbai Centre for International Arbitration and was Co-Chair of Mute Off Thursdays from 2022 to 2024. Sergejs Dilevka - UAE Sergejs Dilevka is a Partner in the Arbitration Department of the firm’s Dubai office. Sergejs is a dual-qualified lawyer, he is admitted as a Solicitor of the Senior Courts of England & Wales and admitted to practice as an Attorney and Counsellor of Law in the courts of the State of New York. Sergejs has more than 15 years of experience in advising and representing multinational companies and high-net-worth individuals in a wide range of complex institutional (ICC, LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, LMAA, SCC, SCIA, DIAC, GCC CAC) and ad hoc international and domestic arbitration proceedings, and litigation proceedings at DIFC Courts and ADGM Courts. His experience covers a wide range of industries, sectors, and types of disputes, including commerce, real estate, transportation, energy, construction, and franchise and distribution agreements. Prior to joining Galadari, Sergejs practiced at one of the top-tier leading law firms in the MENA region. Sergejs brings a wealth of experience by acting, throughout his career, as counsel and arbitrator in multiple international arbitration proceedings relating to international commercial and investment disputes. Sergejs has authored multiple publications offering insights on the trends and developments in international law and international arbitration. Robert Garden - France Robert Garden is an Associate at Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP in Paris. His practice focuses on commercial and investor-State arbitration, and public international law. Robert has significant experience as counsel in disputes relating to the energy sector and to infrastructure projects, in particular on the African continent. He also has experience acting in banking, construction and post-M&A disputes across a variety of jurisdictions. He has represented clients in a significant number of investor-State arbitrations, and has extensive experience acting for States and State-owned entities. Robert has a particular academic and professional interest in disputes relating to the environment, and frequently publishes and speaks at conferences on topics related to the environment and to ESG issues. Robert is qualified as an Avocat in Paris and as a Solicitor in England and Wales. He holds an LLM in International Law and a BA from the University of Cambridge, and is fluent in French. Karolina Latasz - UK Karolina Latasz is a senior associate in the London office of Squire Patton Boggs. She has extensive experience representing clients in international commercial arbitrations, with a focus on shareholder, joint venture and energy disputes. She regularly acts as counsel in investment treaty disputes, advising both States and investors. Karolina is passionate about creating new arbitration initiatives and meaningful networking opportunities. She has established two international arbitration fora – London Very Young Arbitration Practitioners and the Young Investment Treaty Forum – which were nominated for Global Arbitration Review Awards 2021 and 2023, respectively. She is also part of the team behind ARBinBRIEF podcast. Karolina speaks and publishes on arbitration topics and has served as editor of the Jus Mundi blog. Karolina is recognised as a “Future Leader” in the Lexology Arbitration Index for both 2025 and 2026. She holds LLM in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) from the Geneva Graduate Institute, graduating top of her year. Lorenzo Poggi - Italy Lorenzo Poggi is an associate at Chiomenti, in Rome, Italy. He assists domestic and international clients in all phases of arbitral proceedings before leading arbitral institutions, including ICSID, LCIA, ICC, ICDR, and CAM. Lorenzo has acted in a wide range of disputes across the Oil & Gas, Construction and Infrastructure, Telecommunications, and IT & Tech sectors. Before joining Chiomenti, Lorenzo worked for three years in the international arbitration department of two international law firms. He is an active member of AIA–Arbitration Below 40 (AIA-Below 40), the young arbitration group of the Italian Arbitration Association. Lorenzo holds an LLB from the University of Bologna with honours and an LLM in Business Law from King’s College London with distinction and he is a member of the Milan Bar. Edward Rensmann - Germany Edward is an Associate at Hanefeld, a leading international dispute resolution boutique with offices in Hamburg and Paris. His practice focuses on complex, high-value disputes in both investment treaty and international commercial arbitration. He has advised a diverse range of clients in proceedings conducted under various institutional rules and across multiple jurisdictions and industries, including the energy sector and post-M&A disputes. Edward has developed particular expertise in disputes arising from the impact of economic sanctions on international arbitration. Edward is a dual British and German national. He regularly publishes and speaks on arbitration-related topics and lectures in international dispute resolution at the Universities of Heidelberg and Münster. He holds a doctorate from the University of Cologne and is an alumnus of The Hague Academy of International Law. José Ángel Sánchez Villegas - Spain José Ángel is a senior associate at Cuatrecasas, Madrid, specializing in international arbitration within the energy, infrastructure, technology, telecom, and financial sectors. He holds a degree in Law and Business and an LL.M. in International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London. With over a decade of experience, José Ángel has represented investors and sovereign States in international arbitrations under investment protection treaties and managed commercial arbitrations governed by varied institutional rules across Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. His expertise includes advising on investment portfolios, matters of public and private international law, and annulment, recognition, and enforcement of awards. José Ángel formerly served as Co-Chair of the Spanish and Ibero-American Arbitration Club (CEIA-40). He actively engages in arbitration associations and regularly lectures at leading universities while contributing to international forums on arbitration. Anton Zakharov - Belarus Anton Zakharov is a Senior Associate at Goretsky & Partners, a boutique law firm in Minsk, Belarus, specialising in dispute resolution. He predominantly focuses on international commercial and investment arbitration, as well as cross-border litigation in construction, banking, finance, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Anton, as a member of the national counsel’s team, acted on behalf of the Republic of Belarus in investor-state arbitrations commenced by: (i) Grand Express under the ICSID Additional Facility Rules concerning insolvency of a railcar producing plant; (ii) Delta Belarus Holding under the ICSID Rules concerning the revocation of Delta Bank’s licence; and (iii) Pavilniu saules slenis 14 and Modus grupe under the ICSID Rules concerning a failed hotel construction project. He also represented Belarusian and foreign clients across domestic and international commercial arbitrations, arbitration-related court proceedings, and other types of dispute resolutions. He is actively involved in the global arbitration community and regularly supports both public and private international law student competitions, including the Philip C. Jessup, Vis, and FDI moots. Anton speaks Russian and English. He is admitted to practice in Belarus. Latin America Orlando Jose Guterres Costa Junior - Brazil Orlando is counsel in the arbitration practice at Adriana Braghetta Advogados. He specialises in complex commercial and investment disputes and has represented clients in arbitration proceedings across a broad range of sectors, including energy, infrastructure, telecommunications, transport, and technology. He has also served as secretary to arbitral tribunals and as an arbitrator. He holds a PhD in International and Comparative Law from the University of São Paulo (thesis approved with distinction and recommended for publication), an LL.M. in Comparative and International Dispute Resolution from Queen Mary University of London (full scholarships from the Centre for Commercial Law Studies and Mishcon de Reya LLP), an MSc in International Law from the State University of Rio de Janeiro, and an LL.B. from the Federal University of Maranhão. Orlando currently serves as the Siguiente Generación Representative for Brazil at the Asociación Latinoamericana de Arbitraje (ALARB). He is also the co-coordinator of the Brazilian Committee for Arbitration (CBAr) study group on the CISG, and a member of the CBAr commission for legislative affairs. Rodrigo Macin - Mexico Rodrigo Macín is a Senior Associate at Bufete Asali, S.C. in Mexico City, where he represents clients in complex commercial and investment disputes across the energy, construction, and infrastructure sectors. He has acted in numerous arbitrations under the ICC, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL, CAM, and ICDR rules, as well as in arbitration-related proceedings before Mexican courts. Rodrigo combines extensive advocacy experience with a strong academic background. He holds an LL.M. from Harvard Law School, an M.A. in Jurisprudence from Universidad Carlos III de Madrid, and a law degree from the Escuela Libre de Derecho, where he graduated first in his class. He teaches jurisprudence and arbitration at the Escuela Libre de Derecho and has published on topics at the intersection of legal theory and arbitral practice. Beyond practice, Rodrigo is active in the arbitration community and legal education. He has taught for nearly a decade and contributes to professional networks through speaking engagements, mentoring and thought leadership initiatives designed to strengthen arbitration capacity in Latin America. Galo Márquez Ruiz - Mexico Galo Márquez practices International Commercial and Investment Arbitration, in addition to Administrative and Complex Litigations in the region. His work spans from setting aside arbitral awards before Mexican courts to ICSID claims (recent matters under ICC, ICDR, CANACO, ICSID, CAM, and Annulment Committees, in cases seated in Mexico City, London, Miami, and Houston). He has been instructed in proceedings before the Court of Arbitration for Sports, in Lausanne. Galo practices arbitration at Creel, García-Cuellar, a LACCA ‘Elite Firm’, and he is a graduated from the Magister Juris at Oxford University and the Executive Finance Program at Oxford Saïd Business School. He has hearing rights before the courts of the Astana International Financial Centre, Kazakhstan (AIFC), and the Abu Dhabi Global Market courts (ADGM Courts). Since 2022, he has been a Professor of Law at Tec de Monterrey University, and a Visiting Professor in Arbitration at Universidad Panamericana, and La Libre University in Mexico City. He is a former General Coordinator of the Young Arbitration Practitioners of the Mexican Center for Arbitration 2022-2025. Agustin Spotorno - UK Agustin Spotorno is a Managing Associate at Addleshaw Goddard in London, specialising in cross-border commercial disputes and international arbitration. He acts for clients in complex corporate and commercial matters, with a particular emphasis on high-stakes international arbitration and investor-State disputes under various governing laws and procedural rules. Agustin has notable experience across Latin America, having practised at leading Argentine law firms and advised Spanish and French multinationals in Argentina’s gaming and hospitality sectors. He has represented clients in major disputes involving states, state-owned companies, and multinational corporations in the energy, telecommunications, and financial services sectors, often arising from joint ventures, shareholder agreements, and concession contracts. His international arbitration practice covers proceedings under ICSID, ICC, LCIA, and UNCITRAL rules, including multi-million and multi-jurisdictional disputes in the energy, natural resources, and technology industries. Agustin’s expertise spans both civil and common law systems, and he regularly advises on matters involving breaches of international law and public international law. Qualified in England and Wales and Argentina, Agustin is fluent in English, Spanish, and French. He is a member of several professional arbitration organisations and is recognised for his thought leadership in international dispute resolution. Thiago Zanelato - Brazil Thiago Del Pozzo Zanelato is a Senior Associate at Pinheiro Neto Advogados in São Paulo, where he specializes in international and domestic arbitration. He has acted in proceedings under various institutional rules and regularly advises clients on complex issues of Private and Public International Law. He holds an LL.M. in International Law from the University of Cambridge, as well as a Master’s degree in Law and International Economic Relations and a Bachelor’s degree in Law from the Pontifical Catholic University of São Paulo (PUC-SP). Before returning to Brazil in 2024, Thiago was a Visiting Foreign Lawyer at Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP, working on high-stakes arbitrations seated in London. Thiago is actively engaged in academic and professional initiatives. He is a co-author of several publications, including a recent article for the Kluwer Arbitration Blog on the potential impact of reforms to the English Arbitration Act for Latin American parties. He is a guest lecturer in arbitration and international law at the postgraduate level and regularly participates in conferences and webinars. Thiago also serves as a coach for teams competing in the Willem C. Vis Moot and has contributed to mentoring programs and educational projects through Brazil VYAP chapter, which he co-founded. Middle East Chrystalla Christoforou - Cyprus Chrystalla Christoforou is an Associate at Christos Georgiades & Associates LLC in Cyprus. Her practice focuses on domestic and international arbitration as well as complex commercial litigation. She has represented high-profile clients and foreign states in commercial, construction, and arbitration-related disputes, and has experience advising and advocating on matters involving state immunity in the enforcement of arbitral awards and jurisdictional challenges arising from multi-tiered ADR clauses. Chrystalla is a member of the Cyprus Bar Association. She holds an LPC MSc in Law, Business and Management from the University of Law (UK) and an LL.B. from the University of Southampton. She is a Cypriot national and is fluent in Greek and English. Salma ElNashar - Egypt Salma specializes in commercial litigation and arbitration across a variety of industries including real estate, infrastructure, construction, manufacturing, shareholders, banking, commercial, and contractual disputes. She has served as counsel and tribunal secretary in arbitration proceedings, both ad hoc and before the most prominent arbitral institutions. Salma has also handled contentious matters under several jurisdictions in the Middle East, advising major developers, consultants, sub-contractors, and contractors in different types of construction projects, including matters based on the FIDIC forms. In addition, Salma has advised clients on issues of public international law and the protection of foreign investments. Her experience also extends to the drafting and negotiation of commercial contractual terms and various types of agreements, as well as the provision of advice on risk mitigation and dispute avoidance. Salma is a RICS Accredited Mediator. Fulya Kurar - Turkey Fulya Kurar, LL.M. is a disputes partner at Moroğlu Arseven in Istanbul, Türkiye, specialising in international investment and commercial arbitration, and cross-border litigation. She acts as counsel and arbitrator in proceedings under ICSID, ICC, LCIA, VIAC, Vietnam International Arbitration Centre, ISTAC and UNCITRAL rules, representing a diverse range of clients including energy and construction companies, multinational technology and automotive firms, GSM operators, government entities, retailers and media service providers. FFulya's practice encompasses bilateral investment treaty claims, contentious construction and energy matters, sales and distribution agreements, joint venture disputes, product liability and unfair competition cases. She has extensive experience in recognition and enforcement of foreign judgements and arbitral awards, setting aside proceedings, and pre-litigation alternative settlement procedures. She collaborates closely with international legal teams, quantum experts, quantity surveyors and third-party funders worldwide. She holds LL.M degrees in International Commercial Dispute Resolution and International Commercial Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne (honours) and the University Paris Est-Créteil (valedictorian), and is a graduate of the International Arbitration Academy and Galatasaray University Faculty of Law. She also holds a B.A. in Business Administration from Istanbul University. Recognised as "Next Generation Partner" by Legal 500 (2025), "Rising Star" (2022-2024), and shortlisted for Benchmark Litigation Europe's Central & Eastern Europe Future Stars Award (2025), Fulya is fluent in English and French. Montek Mayal - UAE Montek is a Partner and the Head of the Asia and Middle East Practice at Osborne Partners based in Dubai and India. Prior to this, he established and led FTI Consulting's Economic Consulting practice in India. His specialisation encompasses the valuation of businesses, shares, and assets, and the quantification of damages in contexts such as M&A and shareholder disputes, investment treaty claims, intellectual property and other contractual matters. Montek had deep expertise in financial modelling and economic analysis, including for spectrum auctions. His experience covers a broad range of sectors, including energy, TMT, oil and gas, mining, real estate, hospitality and financial services. Appointed as an expert in over 100 litigation, arbitration and competition cases, he has provided oral testimony on more than 50 occasions in matters with claims up to USD 3 billion. He has been consistently recognised as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Lexology/ Who's Who Legal. Montek is both a CFA and CVA Charterholder and holds a BA from Colgate University. He was recently awarded an Honorary Doctorate for his contributions to corporate finance and economics. Amr Omran - UAE Amr Omran is Counsel at Freshfields LLP, based in Dubai. He is a member of the firm’s International Arbitration Group and Global Projects Disputes Practice, and leads the Dubai office’s Middle East Law Practice. Amr represents clients in complex construction, commercial, and investor-state disputes under all major arbitration rules and across various legal systems. He also serves as arbitrator and sits as a judge on the Appeals Panel of the International Basketball Federation (FIBA). He is an officer of the IBA Arbitration Committee and a Delegate to the ICC Commission on Arbitration and ADR. Amr has been recognised in leading legal directories and was named one of Africa’s 30 Most Prominent Young Arbitration Practitioners. He holds a licence en droit from Cairo University, an LL.M. from McGill University, an LL.M. from The American University in Cairo, and an LL.M. from Harvard Law School. Prior to joining Freshfields, Amr worked at The World Bank in Washington, DC, and at the Public Prosecution Office in Cairo. He is admitted to practise in Egypt, New York and Dubai. Rana Sebaly - UAE Rana Sebaly is an Associate in the Dispute Resolution and Arbitration team at White & Case LLP in Dubai. She is admitted to practice in both Beirut and New York. Rana has acted in a wide range of international arbitrations under major institutional rules, (including the LCIA, DIFC-LCIA, ICC, CRCICA, DIAC, ArbitrateAD, and ICSID). Her experience spans multiple industries, including hospitality, technology, real estate, and energy. Throughout her career, Rana has advised sovereigns, multinational corporations, and private entities in disputes arising from or seated across the Middle East, including the UAE, Egypt, and the Sultanate of Oman. Rana holds an LL.M. in International Legal Studies (with distinction) from Georgetown University in Washington, D.C., where she also obtained a Certificate in International Arbitration and Dispute Resolution. She earned a Master II in International Commercial Law from Université Panthéon-Sorbonne (Paris I), as well as a Bachelor of Laws (Licence en Droit) and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Université Saint-Joseph in Beirut, Lebanon. She is fluent in English, Arabic, and French. Selda Tasyurek Koksal - Turkey Selda Tasyurek Koksal co-leads the international arbitration and construction practice at Arikan Partners Law Firm in Istanbul. She has extensive experience acting in cross-border disputes as counsel, arbitrator, and tribunal secretary under major institutional and ad hoc rules, including the LCIA and other international arbitration institutions. Her practice focuses on complex construction, infrastructure, and energy projects across Türkiye, the Middle East, and Europe. Selda regularly advises on FIDIC-based contracts and multi-tier dispute resolution mechanisms, combining her practical expertise with a strong academic background. She holds an LL.M. degree from Kadir Has University, where her research examined the validity and enforceability of multi-tier arbitration agreements within the scope of FIDIC contracts. Recognised by The Legal 500 as a “Rising Star” and “Next Generation Lawyer” in dispute resolution several years, Selda is an active member of the international arbitration community and is committed to promoting best practices and engagement among young practitioners across the Middle East region. North America Paige Burnham - Canada Paige is a senior associate at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP in Vancouver. Her practice focuses on complex commercial disputes, including international and domestic arbitrations, arbitration-related litigation and contractual and shareholder litigation. Paige has appeared as counsel in ad hoc and administered arbitrations under various institutional sets of rules, including the UNCITRAL, SCC, HKIAC, ICDR and VanIAC Rules, and has appeared before all levels of court in British Columbia. In addition to her role with the YIAG, Paige is a member of the Executive of Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners (YCAP), an active and well-established organization in the Canadian international arbitration community. Alison Burns - Canada Alison Burns is an associate in Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s Vancouver office. She maintains a civil litigation and dispute resolution practice with a focus on domestic and international commercial arbitrations, construction and infrastructure disputes, lien claims, and other complex commercial disputes. Alison is called to the bar in both British Columbia and Alberta. Alison has acted as junior counsel in significant commercial arbitration proceedings under various institutional rules. Recent commercial matters on which Alison has been counsel include a C$1-billion arbitration claim regarding pipeline construction and an arbitration under the ADRIC Arbitration Rules involving the construction of mining infrastructure (among others). Alison is an associate member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIarb) and a member of CIarb Canada’s Young Members Group Committee. Giacomo Marchisio - Canada Giacomo Marchisio is an associate at IMK, specializing in international arbitration as well as civil and commercial litigation. He advises clients on complex cross-border disputes and represents them before courts and arbitral tribunals. His arbitration experience includes serving as Tribunal Secretary in ICC and LCIA arbitrations, acting as sole arbitrator under the Canadian Commercial Arbitration Centre (CCAC) Rules, and being listed among the Rising Arbitrators of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC). Giacomo holds a Doctor of Civil Law (D.C.L.) and an LL.M. in Comparative Law from McGill University, following a J.D. (Cum Laude) from the University of Turin. He was admitted to the Québec Bar in 2021. Committed to legal education, he serves as a sessional lecturer at both Université de Montréal and McGill University, where he has taught courses on international commercial arbitration and civil evidence. In addition to his practice and teaching, Giacomo is an active contributor to the academic and professional legal community. He has authored numerous articles on arbitration and procedural law published in leading journals and edited volumes by Cambridge University Press, Oxford University Press, and LexisNexis. His scholarship explores topics such as arbitral awards, procedural reforms, and the role of trade usages in arbitration. A member of the Canadian Bar Association, ICC Canada Arbitration Committee, and Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners (YCAP), Giacomo brings a global perspective to his practice. Fluent in English, French, and Italian, he combines academic rigor with practical experience to offer clients nuanced and effective representation in international and domestic disputes. Elena Rizzo - USA Based in New York, Elena Rizzo is a Senior Associate in DLA Piper’s international arbitration group and focuses her practice on international investment and commercial arbitration. She has represented international companies, sovereign states, and state-owned entities in disputes under leading institutional and ad hoc rules, including the ICC, UNCITRAL, AAA, and others. Her sector experience spans construction, logistics, oil and gas, renewable energy, pharmaceuticals, and software. Elena is the LCIA YIAG Regional Representative for North America and an active member of the New York arbitration community, including past service on the CPR Y-ADR Steering Committee and the New York City Bar Arbitration Committee. She frequently speaks at conferences in New York and across the United States. Her professional recognitions include being named by Chamber Partners USA as an “Associate to Watch” (2025), recommended by Legal 500 in 2024 and 2025, and nominated a “Rising ADR Star” by the CPR Institute (2024). Elena is dedicated to pro bono work. Notable matters include briefing and arguing appeals that set important precedent for custody and visitation requirements in New York, taking contested custody and divorce cases to trial, and obtaining Special Immigrant Juvenile Status for immigrant minors. In recognition of her devoted representation of multiple clients, she received Sanctuary for Families’ “Above and Beyond” award in 2023. Elena serves on Sanctuary for Families’ Pro Bono Council and co-chairs the Above&Beyond Benefit. Elena earned her LL.M. in International Business and Trade Law, magna cum laude, from Fordham University School of Law (New York), and her Law degree in International Law, cum laude, from LUISS Guido Carli University (Rome, Italy). In addition to English, Elena is fluent in Italian and Spanish, and proficient in French. Elena is a member of the New York Bar. Quinn Scarlett - Canada Quinn Scarlett is an associate at Bennett Jones LLP in Toronto. Quinn’s practice focuses on commercial arbitration—both international and domestic—as well as investment treaty arbitration and commercial litigation. Prior to transitioning to litigation, Quinn worked as an international trade associate. Quinn earned his JD from the University of Ottawa, where he received the highest mark in international investment law and served as captain of the university’s 2022 Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) Moot team, which placed 5th globally. He also holds an Honours Bachelor of Science in Biology from Queen’s University. His arbitration experience includes acting as junior counsel in significant proceedings under various institutional rules, including UNCITRAL, ICSID, ADRIC, and ICC. Prior to pursuing law, Quinn worked at an NGO in Lima, Peru, where he supported community development initiatives and gained firsthand experience in international collaboration and advocacy. Quinn is a member of the Events Committee of YCAP (Young Canadian Arbitration Practitioners) and broader Canadian arbitration community. Alicia Yeo - USA Alicia is an associate at Chaffetz Lindsey LLP in New York. Her practice consists of high-stakes, cross-border disputes across various industries, including energy, infrastructure, insurance, aviation, and fashion. She has represented clients in proceedings before major arbitral institutions, and in U.S. federal and state courts. She holds a LL.B. in Law from the University of Cambridge, and a LL.M. from New York University School of Law. In addition to English, she speaks Mandarin and Indonesian. Kluwer Arbitration Blog Representative Hande Bingöl - Turkey She holds an LL.B. from Bilkent University (2019) and is admitted to the Istanbul Bar Association. Aa a member of Energy Disputes Arbitration Centre (EDAC), Istanbul Arbitration Association (İSTA), Young Arbitrators Copenhagen (YAC), Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA), and Young International Arbitration Group (YIAG), she has cultivated a strong professional network within the international arbitration community. She earned her LL.M. at Galatasaray University, where she defended her thesis on “Extension of Arbitration Agreements to Third Parties Pursuant to the Group of Companies Doctrine in International Commercial Arbitration". Currently, she is pursuing her Ph.D. in Private Law at Istanbul University where she also works as a research assistant, focusing on the interplay between economic sanctions and arbitral proceedings. Her research engages with the evolving dynamics of international dispute resolution, bridging doctrinal analysis with pressing global challenges. Vis Moot Representative Poorvi Satija - UK Poorvi is a senior associate at White & Case LLP, London specializing in international arbitration and dispute resolution. She is triple-qualified in India, the State of New York, and England & Wales, and is also a trained mediator and negotiator. Her extensive experience spans across premier law firms in India, France, and the UK, where she has represented clients from diverse sectors and jurisdictions in complex, high-value disputes under all major arbitration rules, including LCIA, ICC, SIAC, and ICSID. Poorvi’s practice encompasses a dynamic mix of commercial, investor-State, and construction disputes. She is passionate about the Vis Moot, and over the past decade, has coached over 10 teams across law schools in India and Ukraine. She co-founded the Indian Vis Pre-Moot in 2011 and has played a key role in the White & Case Vis Pre-Moots and Colloquium since 2017.
