The Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC) has launched a new initiative under the motto, “VIAC CAN and so CAN you”. ArbitralWomen members are encouraged to take this unique opportunity to raise their profile by becoming part of a broad ADR network managed by VIAC.  At the beginning of October 2022, VIAC launched its VIAC CAN initiative. This new initiative aims at establishing a network of dispute resolution practitioners in CEE and SEE who work closely with VIAC to promote ADR and VIAC in the region. VIAC’s goal is to find an Ambassador in each country in CEE and SEE (although VIAC is open to applications outside of these regions also!). The network will provide successful applicants the unique opportunity to expand their ADR knowledge, connect with like-minded peers and gain an in-depth understanding of VIAC’s offering.  What can an ArbitralWomen member gain from becoming a VIAC Ambassador? Ambassador will stay abreast of VIAC’s ongoing and pipeline projects, as well as the latest trends and developments in ADR. VIAC Ambassadors will be able to raise their profile in the field of ADR, while engaging with a diverse group of talented and motivated professionals. Bi-annually VIAC will host a VIAC CAN retreat in Vienna to foster thought and idea exchange. Successful Ambassadors can qualify for the VIAC CAN mentorship programme (be mentored by one of the renowned experts in one of VIAC’s Boards).  What is required of a VIAC Ambassador? VIAC Ambassador’s will develop and promote VIAC in the region, namely assist in setting up VIAC educational programmes and events in coordination with the relevant stakeholders in the region and the respective Austrian Trade Commissioner. Ambassadors will also assist VIAC in collecting and collating data and information for the “VIAC Arbitration and ADR Market Study in CEE and SEE”.  Applicants should be qualified lawyers with professional experience in a legal environment, ideally in the field of ADR. A formal legal qualification (i.e. bar exam or equivalent) is not essential, if a candidate can demonstrate sufficient legal training and experience in ADR. There is no age limitation, applicants who fulfil the criteria should apply irrelevant of their age although we also encourage younger generation practitioners to submit their applications. Applicants must be well organized and have excellent written and oral communication skills. Motivation and passion about ADR is essential, as well as excellent spoken and written English (German is an advantage). VIAC is adamant to have a diverse pool of Ambassadors and strongly encourages ArbitralWomen members who fulfil the above criteria to apply.  ArbitralWomen members should send their applications by 30 November 2022 to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. with a CV and a letter of motivation including (i) which country or number of countries (as the case may be) they wish to represent, (ii) why they think they are perfect for this role, and (iii) a brief outline of the first steps they would take to promote VIAC in their respective country / countries. The role starts in January 2023 until December 2024 for a two-year term with the possibility of re-appointment for one term.  If you have any questions about the VIAC CAN project, please send them to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Submitted by ArbitralWomen member Niamh Leinwather, Secretary General, Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC)

Over the last four months, ArbitralWomen Advisory Council Member Amanda Lee has shared news about the achievements, promotions, and career developments of hundreds of women in arbitration, including many members of ArbitralWomen, every Friday as part of a new weekly initiative known as “Women in Arbitration Day” or “WiA Day”. Every week, Amanda prepares and shares a brief news digest on her LinkedIn feed highlighting the successes of women in arbitration of all levels of seniority and encourages those who see the posts on social media to celebrate the success of their female colleagues. The goal of the initiative is to showcase the impressive range of women in arbitration across the globe, demonstrate their diversity, and raise awareness about their careers, achievements, and experience. By sharing information about talented women in arbitration as widely as possible, WiA Day promotes and celebrates women in a concrete and practical way. The more we know about women in this field, the easier it becomes to identify qualified arbitrators and other neutrals, experts, speakers, and more. To date, the career developments, and professional achievements of more than 300 women have been highlighted, with those recognized hailing from across the globe and spanning Africa, Asia, Australia/Oceania, Europe, North America, and South America. The achievements of the most junior members of the arbitration community are celebrated alongside those of their more senior peers. The range of women featured to date is broad, with those celebrated ranging from a talented all-female Vis Moot team hailing from Iran, to Her late Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, in whose name an arbitral award dated 9 December 1966 was notably made in the Argentine-Chile Frontier Case. Follow Amanda Lee and the hashtags #womeninarbitration and #WiADay to enjoy the weekly news digests. Help to spread the word about the achievements of women in arbitration by reacting to and commenting on the posts. Submitted by ArbitralWomen Advisory Board member Amanda Lee

Five arbitration practitioners have joined forces to launch “ArabArb”, an independent network that aims to unite, promote, and serve the U.S.-based arbitration community with roots, affinity, or interest in the Arab World. ArabArb’s mission is to create a platform for members to connect and collaborate with fellow practitioners as well as advance the knowledge and understanding of international arbitration as it relates to the Arab World. The group will work to increase the visibility of diverse and qualified counsel, arbitrators, and experts who are particularly suited to handle disputes relating to the Arab World. “Years ago, we recognized a gap in our industry,” said Randa Adra, partner at Crowell & Moring and one of the five founders. “We decided to seize this unique opportunity to unite Arab arbitration practitioners in the U.S. and beyond, and create a supportive network for this community that we are all very proud to be a part of.” ArabArb will host a launch event in New York City on November 16, 2022 during New York Arbitration Week to introduce itself to the legal community, present its mission, and welcome new members. The group plans to organize conferences and training seminars on topics relevant to the community, as well as offer mentoring opportunities and exposure to law students of Arab descent. The ArabArb board members, who are also the founders of the organisation, include ArbitralWomen members Randa Adra, partner at Crowell & Moring; Cherine Foty, senior associate at Covington & Burling in Washington, DC; Lillian Khoury, senior associate at Steptoe & Johnson in New York; May Khoury, senior associate at Chaffetz Lindsey in New York; and Nour Nicolas, associate at Foley Hoag in New York. The board is supported by an advisory committee whose members include ArbitralWomen members Meriam Al-Rashid, Global Co-Chair of International Arbitration at Eversheds Sutherland; Amal Bouchenaki, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills; Maria Chedid, Global Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Group at Arnold & Porter; Samaa Haridi, Partner at King & Spalding; Yasmine Lahlou, Partner at Chaffetz Lindsey; and Caline Mouawad, Partner at Chaffetz Lindsey. The group’s network will be made up of arbitrators, counsel, practitioners, academics, institutional and government representatives, students and other members of the arbitration community. The group will be open to international arbitration practitioners as well as other members of the legal community interested in the intersection of arbitration and the Arab World. While the group is primarily based in the United States, it is closely collaborating with members of the global international arbitration community, particularly those based in the Arab World. The group plans to expand to other international arbitration hubs in the future. Visit ArabArb’s website and follow ArabArb on LinkedIn to read more about this initiative. Submitted by ArbitralWomen members Randa Adra, Cherine Foty, Lillian Khoury, May Khoury, and Nour Nicolas

ArbitralWomen members active in the energy sector are encouraged to share their experiences of energy disputes and the arbitration process in a survey being led by Queen Mary University of London in partnership with Pinsent Masons. Many ArbitralWomen members are involved in disputes in the energy sector and will be keen to make their views known as regards the future of international arbitration in the sector. Queen Mary University of London has launched its 13th international arbitration survey in partnership with Pinsent Masons to obtain insights into the current and future causes and types of energy disputes and the main risks and challenges faced by the energy sector. The international energy sector is the largest user of international arbitration and the survey seeks to find out what the sector expects from arbitration at a time of market instability and unforeseen circumstances. The survey asks whether arbitration will continue to be fit for purpose as the main forum to resolve cross-border energy disputes and what alternatives may be suitable, as well as what changes participants would like to make the process more economical and accessible. The survey will be supplemented with individual interviews with a selection of the survey participants and the results of the study are expected in January 2023. A Chinese-language translation of the survey is available here. Queries or requests to participate in an interview should be directed to Jason Czerwiec, the Pinsent Masons research fellow in international arbitration at Queen Mary, at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Submitted by ArbitralWomen Board member Nesreen Osman, Partner, Pinsent Masons, Dubai

ArbitralWomen celebrates the Swiss Arbitration Association (ASA)’s recent election of a new Board which has achieved gender parity for the first time in its history. The ASA Board’s new Vice President, Andrea Meier, is a woman and ArbitralWomen members Noradèle Radjai and Dorothée Schramm have been elected to the Executive Committee of the ASA Board. ArbitralWomen congratulates the several other ArbitralWomen members elected to the new ASA Board, including Catherine Amirfar, Carine Dupeyron, Anya George, Nadja Jaisil Kull, Melissa Magliana, Anna Masser, and Gabrielle Nater-Bass,  ArbitralWomen also congratulates the other female ASA Board members: Diana Akikol, Andrea Menaker, Yoshimi Ohara, Mélanie Van Leeuwen, and Nathalie Voser. “We are delighted to see these ArbitralWomen members serving in ASA leadership positions. They are highly talented and respected international dispute resolution professionals who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to their respective roles,” commented ArbitralWomen President Louise Woods. Submitted by ArbitralWomen News Director Cherine Foty

ArbitralWomen celebrates the election of former ArbitralWomen Board member Dr. Vanina Sucharitkul as Chair and ArbitralWomen member Noppramart Thammateeradaycho as Vice Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Thailand Branch, effective 30 December 2021. This marks the first occasion that a woman has held the office of Chair in the history of the branch. It is particularly noteworthy that two women have been elected to the Chair and Vice Chair positions, both of whom are Thai nationals. Dr. Vanina Sucharitkul is a senior lecturer at University of Paris Descartes and serves as arbitrator and counsel on a diverse range of commercial litigation and cross-border disputes. Admitted to the California Bar, and fluent in Thai, French, and English, Vanina has practiced in San Francisco, Bangkok, Paris and Hong Kong. She is the former representative of Thailand on the ICC Court of Arbitration. Upon recent completion of her PhD, thus becoming Docteur en Droit, at Université de Paris Panthéon-Assas on Investor-State Dispute Settlement Reform, Vanina just relocated to Asia to resume practice as counsel. Noppramart Thammateeradaycho is Counsel at Tilleke & Gibbins in Bangkok, Thailand. She has over 20 years’ experience of trial and appellate advocacy at all levels of the Thai courts, as well as in arbitration under international and domestic rules. With extensive experience in transportation and shipping, as well as complex maritime litigation, Noppramart serves on the panel of arbitrators for the Thailand Arbitration Center, the Shanghai Arbitration Commission, the Shenzhen Court of International Arbitration, and the ICC. She is the representative of Thailand on the ICC Court of Arbitration. Submitted by ArbitralWomen News Director Cherine Foty