CIArb’s YMG appoints new Chair and Vice-Chair to the 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. Laura West MCIArb has been appointed Chair of the group, while Sebastiano Nessi FCIArb has been appointed Vice-Chair.

Laura West is a Senior 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 says “The YMG Global Steering Committee is comprised of members from across the globe with a diverse range of backgrounds, experiences and legal cultures all with an interest in promoting the use of alternative dispute resolution. I am delighted to be appointed as Chair of the Committee and look forward to all the exciting initiatives and events we have planned for the forthcoming year.”

Sebastiano Nessi is a Counsel at Schellenberg Wittmer based in Geneva. Swiss-qualified and with a degree from Columbia Law School, Sebastiano has advised and represented clients including States for more than ten years in numerous commercial and Investor-State arbitrations, both ad hoc and under each of the major institutional rules. Sebastiano, who also sits himself as an arbitrator, is a Fellow of CIArb. Sebastiano taught during several years commercial and investment arbitration at the University of Paris I, Panthéon-Sorbonne. He is also a visiting lecturer at the Swiss Arbitration Academy. Sebastiano was identified for the past two consecutive years amongst the 10 Most Highly Regarded lawyers (Future Leaders) in the EMEA region by Who’s Who Legal. Sebastiano says “Despite the challenging times, I am really excited and honoured to work with Laura and the rest of the committee on the many projects we have planned for 2021.”

Find out more about CIArb’s Young Members Group.