Sara K. Aranjo, Dubai, United Arab Emirates (Middle East)

Sara K. Aranjo is a senior disputes lawyer with Al Tamimi & Company. Sara’s practice focuses on arbitration and complex litigation. Sara regularly advises and represents clients in international and domestic arbitration proceedings, both ad hoc and institutional (ICC, DIAC, DIFC-LCIA, GCC Centre for Commercial Arbitration, LCIA, ICSID, UNCITRAL) as well as complex commercial litigation, particularly in cases with cross-border facets. Sara also advises clients on several procedural issues such as the recognition and enforcement of foreign judgments and arbitral awards in the UAE and the revision and annulment proceedings of awards.

Sara has been involved in proceedings in Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Lebanon, Oman, Tunisia and Saudi Arabia in addition to the United States, the United Kingdom and France. Sara is well versed in both the civil and common law legal traditions and is admitted to practice before the New York, Paris and Beirut Bar Associations.

Sara sits on the Board of Directors of ArbitralWomen and the Paris MENA Legal Club. She is a member of several professional organizations, including the International Bar Association, the American Bar Association, the ICC Arab Group and the French Arbitration Committee (CFA).

In addition to her practice of law, Sara regularly publishes and delivers talks on dispute resolution. She has held several teaching and editorial appointments, such as Editor of the Harvard Business Law Review and Lecturer in Law at the Sorbonne Law School.

Dr. Sylvie Bebohi Ebongo, Paris, France and Cameroon (Africa)

Doctor in law at the end of a thesis devoted to specific questions of execution of arbitral awards, Maître Sylvie BEBOHI EBONGO has, in addition to a university course halfway between fundamental private law and business law, a professional experience as a lawyer in an audit and consulting firm.

A graduate of the Paris Bar Training School (CAPA), Lawyer at the Paris and Cameroon Bars, Maître Sylvie BEBOHI EBONGO works for a clientele of individuals and companies that she supports both in business creation,that in the drafting the follow-up of their contracts. She intervenes in the pre-litigation phase of dispute management, advises and represents in dispute settlement procedures in commercial or investment arbitration.

She has a recurring practice of arbitration where she intervenes in particular as an arbitrator, adviser or secretary of an arbitral tribunal. She is part of the panel of arbitrators of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration (CCJA-OHADA), the Regional Center for International Commercial Arbitration of Cairo (CRCICA) and the Arbitration Mediation and Conciliation Center of Ouagadougou (CAMC-O).

Passionate about ADR, she is very interested in mediation and other dispute resolution methods that may allow an amicable resolution of disputes. It can therefore support or intervene in commercial or investment mediation.

Her immersion in international trade law and her knowledge of the law of the Organization for the Harmonization in Africa of Business Law (OHADA), in which she has worked for many years, also led her to develop support legal for foreign investors who want to establish themselves in the OHADA area.

On the strength of her skills acquired throughout her academic and professional career, Maître Sylvie BEBOHI EBONGO joined forces with Maître Alvine Bélise HAPPI to create the HBE Avocats law firm https://www.hbe-avocats.com/fr/

Bryan J. Branon ACIArb, Burlington, Vermont U.S.A. (North America)

Bryan J. Branon, Principal, Branon's ADR, is an international arbitrator, mediator and business development strategist whose career has focused on the intersection of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) and public policy. A former law clerk on the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee, U.S. Court of International Trade, and intern in the Irish Parliament, Bryan has worked for the ADR Center, Rome, Italy (JAMS International) where he established the Afghanistan Center for Dispute Resolution (ACDR). As the former Director, International and Regional Liaison at the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and its International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), Bryan helped establish the Bahrain Chamber for Dispute Resolution (BCDR) and launched the International Mediation Institute (IMI).

U.S. Ambassador (Ret.), David Huebner, C.Arb, FCIArb, appointed Bryan Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) North America Branch (NAB) Seattle Chapter where he also serves on the Inaugural CIArb NAB Young Members Group (YMG) Steering Committee. In June of 2020, Bryan was appointed to the CIArb NAB Board of Directors.

In addition to his ADR practice, Bryan is Chair of the Federal Bar Association ADR Section where he also serves by FBA Presidential appointment on the FBA Diversity & Inclusion Standing Committee. Contemporaneously, Bryan is a member of the Council of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution.

Bryan graduated with a B.S. in Political Science from St. Michael’s College in Colchester, Vermont and earned his J.D. and mediator certification from the Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law and its Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution in New York, New York. He is licensed to practice in Washington, D.C.

Bryan frequently lectures, publishes and consults on diversity, equity and inclusion, international ADR systems design, ADR strategy, procedure and contract clause considerations. He welcomes arbitrator, mediator, consultancy, speaking and publishing inquiries both in the U.S.A. and abroad. Bryan can be reached at Bryan@BranonsADR.com.

Orlando Cabrera FCIArb, Mexico City, Mexico (North and South America, Caribbean/Central America)

Leveraging his knowledge of common and civil law jurisdictions, and his fluency in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French, Orlando F. Cabrera C. counsels international arbitration clients seamlessly across borders and languages.

Having studied law in Canada, Mexico, and the United States, Orlando draws on his deep understanding of complex domestic and international disputes to effectively represent clients in ICSID, ICC, ICDR, LCIA and UNCITRAL arbitrations throughout Latin America, North America and Europe.

With more than ten years of experience, Orlando, a listed arbitrator by the Arbitration Center of the Lima Chamber of Commerce and the International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration, advises governments and corporate investors on dispute resolution and political risk management.

Approaching each matter with profound intellectual curiosity, Orlando, an associate to the Madrid Court of Arbitration, represents clients in mining, energy, telecommunications, finance, construction, transport, national security, real estate assets, and government contracting.

Orlando, Senior Associate, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and Board Secretary of CIArb’s North American Branch (NAB), frequently writes, speaks and organizes events on international arbitration. He currently serves as Young ICCA Events Coordinator.

Prior to joining the Hogan Lovells Mexico City office, Orlando started in the international arbitration practice of the firm's Miami office, in which he divides part of his time. Orlando also previously served as a legal intern in the New York State Supreme Court.

David Chung, ACIArb, New York, New York, U.S.A. (Asia)

David Chung is a Dispute Resolution Fellow at the American Bar Association. He gained extensive experience in ADR and International Arbitration at the ICC International Court of Arbitration, CPR International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, ADR Department of the Eastern District Court of New York, and Luther Law Firm in Hamburg, Germany. Prior to his legal career, David worked in international economic affairs and government relations at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) for more than six years representing Korean businesses in Southeast Asia and North America. During his time at KCCI, he had the privilege to serve as a project manager for the Presidential Economic Diplomacy Task Force, spearheading the Korean president’s economic missions to twelve different countries. 

Julia Dreosti, Adelaide, Australia (Australia and New Zealand)

Julia Dreosti is an experienced commercial litigator, who has represented clients in commercial disputes involving a range of industries, including energy & resources, infrastructure, construction, defence, government, financial services and corporates. Many of her cases involve disputes in multiple jurisdictions, and her approach to these disputes is enhanced by her experiences working in Asia and Europe.

Julia has significant experience with international arbitration, having advised and represented clients with respect to arbitrations under various institutional rules (ACICA, HKIAC, ICC, LCIA, UNCITRAL and SIAC) and ad hoc arbitrations. She advises on interim and enforcement measures in support of arbitral proceedings in Australia and Asia.

Georgios Fasfalis, Amsterdam, Netherlands (Europe)

Georgios Fasfalis is an associate in Linklaters’ international arbitration practice, having previously worked for a renowned international arbitration boutique and the legal department of a Dutch multinational.  His international arbitration experience includes involvement in (commercial and investment treaty) arbitrations conducted under, among others, the ICC, ICSID, LCIA, NAI, SIAC and UNCITRAL Rules and subject to several applicable laws.  Georgios has also been involved in arbitration-related matters, such as setting aside and enforcement proceedings.

His publications include, inter alia, a chapter -as a co-author with Marc Krestin- in S. Balthasar (ed) International Commercial Arbitration (Hart Publishing) (forthcoming).  He is admitted to the Thessaloniki Bar in Greece and holds degrees from the University of Amsterdam and the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki.  Georgios is a member of the CIArb YMG Global Steering Committee.

Ana Gerdau de Borja Mercereau, Paris, France (South America, Europe)

Ana Gerdau de Borja Mercereau is an associate at Derains & Gharavi with 12 years of experience in domestic and international arbitration.  She has acted as counsel and secretary to arbitral tribunals in arbitrations under the ICSID, the ICC, the LCIA-MIAC, and the ICDR/AAA rules, and under the most important Brazilian institutions’ rules (CAM-CCBC, CCMA CIESP/FIESP, CAMARB, Câmara FGV, CAM-BM&FBOVESPA and CMA from São Paulo’s Instituto de Engenharia).  Her cases have included commercial transactions, joint ventures, large infrastructure projects (in construction, renewable energy, oil & gas and transportation), M&A deals, and projects for mining research and exploration.

She is a member of the ICC Commission on International Arbitration and ADR, upon nomination of the Brazilian Committee, of its Task Force entitled “Corruption in International Arbitration,” and of ICC Brazil.

Ana is one of the founders of the Rising Arbitrators Initiative (RAI) and co-chair of its Executive Committee.  She is a member of the Delos’ Long View Steering Committee and of the Advisory Board of GLIP-CRC of the University of São Paulo.  She is a CIArb Fellow, elected as CIArb European Branch YMG Representative in 2020, and sits on the CIArb YMG Global Steering Committee.

Ana holds a Ph.D. (Investment Arbitration) and an LL.M. (International Law) from the University of Cambridge and speaks French, English, Portuguese and Spanish.  She also lectured at the University of Paris-XIII in 2017.

She is admitted to the Bars of Brazil (São Paulo) and Portugal (Porto) and is registered with the Paris Bar (Directive 98/5/EC).

Nata Ghibradze, Munich, Germany (Eastern Europe/CIS)

With the increasing complexity of international disputes, clients in the energy (oil & gas, renewables), construction, infrastructure, and engineering industry look to Nata Ghibradze to provide guidance on their cross-border disputes. Using the experience she gained while working at the Ministry of Justice of Georgia (Department of State Representation to International Courts), Nata focuses on international arbitration with particular attention to disputes in the Eastern European and CIS regions.

Nata has experience in handling arbitrations under the major sets of arbitration rules (ICC, UNCITRAL, DIS, and DIA rules) seated in various jurisdictions. Originally from Georgia, Nata is well-versed in the complexities of Georgian law and culture, and how these complexities affect cross-border disputes. She is fluent in English, German, Russian, and Georgian, being educated in Georgia and Germany. Nata also regularly speaks and publishes on international arbitration.

Ross Kartez, New York, New York, U.S.A. (North America)

Ross Kartez’s practice focuses primarily on complex commercial litigation in matters involving breach of contract claims, insurance coverage issues, real estate disputes, lender recourse, secured claims, enforcing guarantees, securities matters, shareholder and partnership claims, business torts, employment disputes, alternative dispute resolution and other business-related issues.

A large portion of Ross’ practice involves claims related to professional liability, and errors and omissions. This includes defending and pursuing claims against attorneys, stockbrokers, broker-dealers, investment advisers, accountants, architects, engineers, directors, officers, insurance agents/brokers, and members of the real estate industry. Ross regularly advises insurers, insureds, policyholders, and other parties related to claims and defenses in complex insurance coverage and other insurance-related matters.

Ross’ recognition as a leader in the alternative dispute resolution field resulted in his invitation to join the American Arbitration Association’s prestigious Panel of Commercial Arbitrators. While at St. John’s University School of Law, Ross served as an executive board member of the Dispute Resolution Society and participated in the prestigious International Chamber of Commerce Mediation Competition in Paris, France, as well as the FINRA Securities Dispute Triathlon in New York City. While in law school, he gained experience representing clients as an intern for the St. John’s University Securities Arbitration Clinic.

Ross’ success as a lawyer has led to his inclusion in the Long Island Business News’ 40 Under 40 List and the Long Island Herald’s Inaugural Top Lawyers of Long Island. Ross was only one of two litigation attorneys named a Top Lawyer of Long Island.

Ross represents clients in Federal Court, State Court, and all arbitration forums (including AAA, JAMS, FINRA, ICC, CPR, and NAM). Ross is admitted to practice law in the State of New York, the State of New Jersey, and the U.S. District Courts for the Southern, Eastern, Northern, and Western Districts of New York.

Kirsten Teo MCIArb, Washington, D.C., U.S.A. (Asia, China, North America)

Kirsten Teo is an international disputes lawyer specializing in International Arbitration, Public International Law, International Aviation, and Law of the Sea. Ms. Teo is a Special Legal Consultant, Attorney & Counselor in Washington DC, and Advocate & Solicitor in Singapore. Her legal practice focuses on all aspects of international disputes (administered by SIAC, ICC, HKIAC, CIETAC, SCC, ICDR) with significant experience in Asia, Europe, and the United States.

She serves as a Member of the YSIAC Committee and SIAC Users’ Council in Singapore, Global Lead Ambassador at Arbitrator Intelligence, Member of the CIArb UK Working Group on ADR, Smart Contracts and Blockchain Arbitration 2020-2021, and Member of the CIArb North America Branch Capacity-Sharing Program 2020-2021. She is a member of ArbitralWomen and many other young arbitration practitioners’ groups.

Prior to joining De Almeida Pereira, Washington DC, in January 2020, Ms Teo was a Senior Associate at Eversheds Sutherland / Eversheds Harry Elias Partnership LLP in Singapore where she worked since December 2011 after passing the Singapore bar exams with distinction in arbitration. She was the sole associate practicing in aviation law and the Head of the Singapore associates’ working group in international arbitration in 2018.

She interned and worked closely with the Secretariat of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC) Arbitration Institute while completing her LLM in International Commercial Arbitration at Stockholm University 2016-2017. She was the sole recipient of the Swedish Arbitration Association scholarship and awarded the Global Swede scholarship by the Swedish government.

M. Imad Khan, ACIArb, Houston, Texas, U.S.A. (Middle East and North America)

Imad Khan is an international disputes lawyer with particular experience in investment treaty arbitration – having represented foreign investors and host States in over a dozen ICSID/UNCITRAL arbitrations – and commercial arbitration under rules of the ICC, ICDR, HKIAC, LCIA, and DIFC-LCIA. Imad is also experienced in cross-border white collar/investigation and U.S. litigation matters, including litigating in U.S. courts in aid of arbitration.

He advises companies across diverse economic sectors, including energy, oil and gas, electricity, renewables, waste management, mining, and pharmaceuticals.  Having served as lead associate on several high-profile and global cases, Imad has a wide variety of experience representing and advising sovereigns, multinational companies, state-owned entities, and intergovernmental organizations through all aspects of dispute resolution.  Best Lawyers recognized Imad as “Ones to Watch” for both international arbitration and U.S. commercial litigation.

Imad teaches a course in international law and arbitration at Washington University School of Law and chairs the law school’s International Arbitration & Dispute Resolution Symposium.  He also serves as Chair of CIArb North America Branch’s Young Members Group; Steering Committee Member of CIArb Global Young Members Group; and Executive Board Member of ICDR Young & International.

Madeline Kimei, MCIArb, Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania (Africa)

Madeline Kimei is a practicing commercial and corporate lawyer and represents parties in domestic arbitration. Madeline is an accredited civil and commercial mediator by the Chartered Institute of Arbitration (UK) and also holds a Certificate in Dispute Management from Indian Institute of Arbitration and Mediation (IIAM) certified by the IMI-Ireland.

 She is an arbitrator, adjudicator and mediator appearing on the panels of Shanghai International Arbitration Centre, Tanzania Institute Arbitrators and National Construction Council of Tanzania. She also has experience as an arbitral secretary under the UNCITRAL Arbitration Rules.

She is President of the Tanzania Institute of Arbitrators (TIArb), Chairperson of the Africa Asia Mediation Association, Regional Director of the Centre for International Alternative Dispute Resolution (CIADr), Faculty Member of the Bangladesh International Mediation Society and a member of the ICC International Court of Arbitration (including the ICC Africa Commission).

 She is a member of the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) Africa User’s Council and serves as a Director of Tanzania International Arbitration Centre (TIAC) and has been engaged as Consultant in its business strategy design and implementation by the Tanganyika Law Society.

Dr Anna Kozmenko, LL.M, Zurich, Switzerland (Russia, Europe)

Dr Anna Kozmenko is a Partner in Schellenberg Wittmer, Zurich Dispute Resolution and Sports Groups in Zurich.

Having practiced in Russia, France and the US, Dr. Kozmenko represents state and private entities in high profile international disputes, including complex litigations, commercial and investment arbitrations.

Dr. Kozmenko is recognized as one of the top international lawyers of her generation. She has been named as one of "most highly regarded individuals" (Who’s Who Legal: Future Leaders Arbitration) and a "top international arbitration practitioner" (Russian Arbitration Association). Who’s Who Legal quotes her as being "outstanding as counsel and as arbitrator" and "truly what an international arbitration lawyer should be: singularly advanced in her field in knowledge and in strategic skills in public and private arbitration", in addition to "drawing particular praise for top-tier work on Russia-related disputes."

Ishaan Madaan, Miami, Florida U.S.A. (Asia, India)

Ishaan Madaan is the founder of Arbinsol, a platform advancing research, dialogue and thought leadership on the interplay between international arbitration and insolvency. An Indian barred attorney with almost a decade’s experience spanning commercial arbitration, civil and corporate litigation, insolvency and restructuring practice, Ishaan acquired his Masters in International Arbitration from Miami Law as its first FDI Moot Scholar.

Ishaan has advised and represented several international clients through his practice in India on a plethora of issues, and has been certified for admission to the New York State Bar. He mixes his practice of law with academia, and regularly writes and lectures on international arbitration.

Soledad Diaz Martinez, Montevideo, Uruguay (South America)

A member of the FERRERE Litigation and Arbitration team, Soledad Díaz focuses on cross-border investment, commercial and corporate dispute resolution, typically for international clients.

She regularly advises on arbitration matters (under ICC, ICSID, ICDR and other rules), and international procedural law including matters of jurisdiction, arbitration clauses, and recognition of foreign awards and judgments. She also regularly advises on investment disputes and on alternatives for structuring foreign investments under different BITs signed by Uruguay. She has represented clients in important construction, energy and corporate disputes, both in arbitration and litigation.

Harout J. Samra, FCIArb, Miami, Florida, U.S.A. (North America)

Harout J. Samra focuses his practice on international dispute resolution and arbitration matters.

He is a Florida Bar Board Certified International Law specialist and has experience in international arbitrations administered under the International Chamber of Commerce (ICC), International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR), United Nations Commission on International Trade Law (UNCITRAL), and International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) arbitration rules. Harout also publishes actively on topics related to international arbitration.

Harout currently serves as the Co-Chair of the American Bar Association Section of Litigation's International Litigation Committee, Co-Chair of the Section of Dispute Resolution’s Arbitration Committee, and North America Regional Representative for the London Court of International Arbitration's Young International Arbitration Group. Harout has also remained active at the University of Miami, where he serves as Vice President of the University of Miami School of Law Alumni Association.

Prior to joining DLA Piper LLP, Harout was an associate in the Miami office Squire Sanders. He previously completed internships in the Antitrust Division of the US Department of Justice, serving in the Transportation, Energy and Agriculture Section, and in the US Attorney’s office for the Southern District of Florida, Economic & Environmental Crimes Section.

Jaya Sharma FCIArb, Madison, Wisconsin, U.S.A. (North America, India)

Attorney Jaya Sharma earned her Juris Doctor and Master’s Degree in Public Administration at the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Additionally, Attorney Sharma holds a Diploma in International Commercial Arbitration from Oxford University under the auspices of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), is a Mediator accredited by the Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution (CEDR), and serves on the American Arbitration Association Panel of Commercial and Construction Neutrals.  She has over 20 years of experience working with various public sector entities at the Local, County, State and Federal levels.   She currently has consultant contracts with various public sector agencies to provide advice on public procurement policies and compliance with local, state and federal laws and regulations.  Attorney Sharma also has substantial experience in dispute resolution working with businesses in the private sector. 

Sophia Villalta, San Jose, Costa Rica (The Carribean and Central America)

Sophia Villalta advises local and international clients on litigation and arbitration in processes related to Contractual and non-contractual civil liability, damages, real estate projects, tourist developments and concessions, as well as those related to commercial law. In arbitration, she has accompanied and advised national and foreign companies in commercial and domestic arbitrations and provided advice to national companies in Corporate and Intellectual Property matters. Sophia has also experience in administrative contracting processes accompanying national and foreign companies in administrative contracting procedures with Costa Rican government entities.