Events
Part 5 of Webinar series: Commercial stability in a world of conflict: Effective dispute management in uncertain times
The webinar series is co-hosted with JAMS.
The fall-out of armed and economic conflict, including the huge volume of commercial disputes triggered and/or caused by the conflict is overwhelming. This series takes a considered, clear-eyed look at the types of disputes, sectors and industries affected.
Those attending will benefit from real-life examples of how to deal with economic disruption in times of geo-political uncertainty: contract disruption, supply chain disruption, raw material shortage, lack or over-supply of goods, human and capital displacement. The series provides a forum for discussion of market needs for information, education, and framing, and what the community of dispute resolvers can contribute to maintain and strengthen the system that underpins all international commerce, the rule of law.
In this fifth webinar, Sheila Bates and Michael McIlrath review what has changed and stayed the same since the start of the series, and look at what those managing disputes and living with underlying conflict might take from the series so far. Join us for a lively discussion on dealing with insecurity and maintaining stability in a time of crisis.
This series is free to attend: register here for Part 5
Watch the previous webinars in the series here.
Times listed are in British Summer Time (GMT+1).
Don't miss the 6th webinar in the series 'Mediation: Fragile settlement, or transformational development?', as part of the Mediation Symposium 2022 programme. Register now.
Event Speakers
Sheila Bates: Mediator, Facilitator and Conflict Coach, Safe Space CollaborationSheila Bates is a mediator (including online), conflict coach, facilitator and trainer. She mediates Employment and Workplace, Banking and Finance, Technology, Partnership and Contract disputes. Sheila draws upon her 30 years' business expertise, gained in FTSE and Fortune quoted companies, international financial institutions and professional services organisations, to facilitate parties in understanding different perspectives to foster settlement. Trained as a coach at Henley Business School, she uses her skills to enable individuals in decision making processes, negotiating difficult situations and rebuilding relationships.
Sheila's personal interest in developing professionals in all walks of life, to engage in constructive conflict for better outcomes has shaped her practice. As a mediator and HR professional she is called upon to advise on dispute resolutions mechanisms in international organisations, technology businesses and the banking sector in emerging markets. Sheila facilitates and mediates international disputes related to Human Rights and Labour Law. She facilitates dialogue in the supply chain to remedy modern slavery abuses. Sheila is on the Board of CEDR, chairing its Nominations committee. A member of the CEDR Training Faculty, Sheila trains and coaches students on the skills for mediation, difficult conversations and negotiation skills often in a cross-cultural setting.
Niki Borofsky: Senior Global Practice Manager on JAMS Global Team.
Niki is based out of New York, and responsible for business development, panel relations, thought leadership, and strategic marketing in regions including Europe, North America and the Middle East. She works to help promote Mediation, Arbitration, and other Alternative Dispute Resolution services, increase global understanding and use of JAMS’ International Arbitration and Mediation Rules and Procedures, and build business for JAMS panellists who have global practices. She is the Chair of JAMS’ In-House Counsel Committee dedicated to providing effective dispute mitigation and resolution solutions to corporate counsel worldwide.
Prior to joining JAMS, Ms. Borofsky worked as an international attorney in academia, business, and law firms including positions at the University of Paris II Panthéon-Assas, ALSTOM, Latham & Watkins, and with Proskauer's International Arbitration group where she focused on complex international commercial arbitration and counselled multinational corporate clients on cross border disputes. She also worked as Vice President of Membership Services at the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR) where she was responsible for planning and executing the organization’s Annual Meetings.
A member of the New York and Massachusetts bars, and with an LLM in French and European Law from the University of Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne, Ms. Borofsky has authored several articles on global dispute resolution. She is also New York Peace Institute trained mediator, and has participated in training members of the NYPD in peaceful conflict resolution. Dedicated to improving Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in ADR, Ms. Borofsky is a Founding Member of the ADR Inclusion Network. She is a Board Member of the Latino Judges Association Foundation and a convener of the monthly ACR-GNY and CUNY Dispute Resolution Canter at John Jay College Breakfast Roundtable.
Michael McIlwrath lives in Florence, Italy, where he spent over 22 years in lead in-house litigation roles for General Electric’s Oil & Gas division and, most recently, as Vice President of Litigation for Baker Hughes Company. In 2021, he founded MDisputes Srl. He is currently Chair of ICC’s Governing Body for Dispute Resolution Services and an adjunct professor at Bocconi Law School in Milan. He is the co-author of two textbooks on international dispute resolution and contract negotiation. In 2017, Arbitral Women recognized Michael as a Champion of Change.
Isabel Phillips: Director of ADR and Mediation Development, CIArb (UK)
Isabel is a conflict specialist and mediator with over 20 years of experience. She joined the full-time staff of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators at the start of 2021. She brings global experience in the application of complementary application of different forms of ADR, and the development of the skills and knowledge of those working in and with conflict and disputes.
Isabel’s mediation experience encompasses a wide range of domestic and international commercial disputes including construction, commercial contract, and employment disputes. She has designed, delivered, and evaluated interactive conflict training and dispute systems design for governments, IGOs, NGOs and commercial businesses across four continents. She has also spent five years working on conflict and disputes in deep-field, fragile and post-conflict environments including Bosnia-Herzegovina and Ethiopia.
Isabel is a qualified ‘Peace Specialist’ (Friedensfachkraft, AGQ 2000) a CEDR accredited mediator (2003), and was awarded her PhD (University of Bradford, 2017) on the theory and practice of mediation in commercial and socio-political contexts.