CIArb’s YMG appoints new chair, vice-chair and two members to Global Steering Committee

CIArb’s Young Members Group (YMG) brings together dispute resolution practitioners below the age of 40, and students interested in building their careers in this fast-growing and dynamic field. The young members community is overseen by a Global Steering Committee who volunteer their time to plan, organise, and promote activities targeted at young practitioners across the globe. The group actively collaborates with other international and regional groups.

The YMG is delighted to announce the new Chair and Vice-Chair of the Global Steering Committee. Athina Fouchard Papaefstratiou MCIArb, has been appointed Chair of the group, replacing Ronan O’Reilly MCIArb whose term came to an end, while Laura West MCIArb was appointed Vice-Chair.

Athina is Counsel at Eversheds Sutherland, Paris. Registered with the bar in Athens (Greece) and in Paris, Athina has represented corporates and States for more than twelve years in commercial and investment arbitration proceedings (notably Africa-related), and is also acting as arbitrator. “Being appointed chair of the Global Steering Committee is a huge honour and privilege”, Athina says. “The Global Steering Committee is a truly diverse group, with members of various origins and cultures, all of whom share a passion for the development of international arbitration. I look forward to the very interesting initiatives and events we are preparing this year.”

Laura West is an Associate at CMS based in Edinburgh. She specialises in construction, engineering and energy disputes providing both operational and strategic contract advice as well as representing clients through a range of dispute resolution procedures including arbitration, litigation, adjudication and mediation. Laura is dual qualified in Scots and English law and teaches construction law to post graduate students at the University of Edinburgh. Laura says “Having been involved in CIArb’s YMG for a number of years I am really looking forward to working with Athina and the rest of the committee on the many exciting events we have planned for the forthcoming year.”

The YMG is also delighted to announce the appointment of 2 new members to the Global Steering Committee: Vivek Kapoor and Alexander Leventhal ACIArb. Vivek, of Stephenson Harwood London, acts as counsel and advocate in international arbitrations conducted under the LCIA, ICC, SIAC, and UNCITRAL rules and ad-hoc arrangements, and arising from diverse industry sectors. Alexander is a senior associate in Quinn Emanuel’s Paris office and has extensive experience in international commercial and investment arbitration, touching upon multiple sectors, with a particular focus on the energy sector.

The Global Steering Committee is comprised today of the following members:

Athina Fouchard Papaefstratiou (Chair), Eversheds Sutherland, Paris (France)

Laura West (Vice Chair), CMS, Edinburgh (UK)

Peter Anagnostou, DLA Piper, Dubai (UAE)

Rahul Donde, Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler, Geneva (Switzerland)

Bryan Fok, Herbert Smith Freehills, Hong Kong (Hong Kong)

Dharam Jumani, Chambers of Mr SU Kamdar, Mumbai (India)

Vivek Kapoor, Stephenson Harwood, London (UK)

Imad Khan, Wiston & Strawn, Houston (USA)

Alexander Leventhal, Quinn Emanuel, Paris (France)

Sebastiano Nessi, Schellenberg Wittmer, Geneva (Switzerland)

Mercy Okiro, sole practitioner, Nairobi (Kenya)

Burcu Osmanoglu, Osmanoglu Law firm, Istanbul (Turkey)

Folake Sadiq, Lagos Bus Service Limited, Lagos (Nigeria)

Rainbow Willard, Chaffetz Lindsey, New York (USA)

Find out more about YMG and the Global Steering Committee.