CAD 2025 Program
The theme of this year’s Columbia Arbitration Day is “Resilience of International Arbitration”, a timely and crucial topic given the current global landscape.
We are thrilled to host Ms. Martina Polasek, Secretary General of the International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), and Mr. Claus Von Wobeser, founding partner and of counsel of Von Wobeser y Sierra, for a thrilling fireside chat.
Tickets available HERE
Columbia Arbitration Day 2025 Program is as follows:
CAD Day 1 (Invitation only) - January 30, 2025
- 4:20 - 5:35 p.m. - Panel 1: Arbitration and Outer Space
While in the XX century outer space activities were historically dominated by states or multi state actors, private entities now play an increasingly prominent role in various space-related industries. With an increase in activities, an increase in disputes is expected. Disputes ranging from common commercial issues to investment disputes, harmful frequency interference and even physical collisions have become common.
Space disputes often involve parties from different jurisdictions, confidential technologies, and are highly technical. So, international arbitration has emerged as an effective mechanism for resolving outer space disputes.
In this panel, experts will discuss the challenges and suitability of international arbitration in resolving space-related disputes compared to other modes of dispute resolution. They will touch on the strengths and limitations of the existing legal instruments relating to space arbitration, and the issues relating to selection of arbitrators in this specialized field. The panel will be moderated by Sebastián Incháustegui (Columbia Law School, J.D. CAD Chair) and features:
- Caroline S. Richard, Partner of Freshfields, Bruckhaus Deringer US LLP
- Daniel Reich, Partner of Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP
- Eric Ives, Senior Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Jonathan C. Hamilton Global Co-Chair of International Arbitration of Paul Hastings
- 5:45 - 7:00 p.m. - Panel 2: All Roads Lead to Arbitration
The panel will explore how arbitration serves as a unifying mechanism for resolving disputes in an interconnected global landscape. Panelists will share their paths to government service, discuss their roles in shaping investment policy, and reflect on the opportunities and challenges of working in this dynamic space. They will provide insights into their countries’ experiences with investor-state dispute settlement, including thoughts on its successes and areas for improvement, while addressing the ongoing discourse on reform and aspirations for its future. The panel will be moderated by Kabir Duggal,, adjunct professor of law at Columbia Law School and Senior Arbitration Advisor at Arnold & Porter (New York). The panel features:
- Jaroslav Kudrna, Head of the International Arbitration and Investment Protection Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
- Juan José Quintana Aranguren, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
- Samira Sulejmanovic, Head of the Department for Bilateral Trade Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Young Shin Um, Senior Deputy Director at International Dispute Settlement Division, Ministry of Justice of South Korea
- 7:05 - 8:10 p.m. - Reception
CAD Day 2 - January 31, 2025
- 8:30 - 8:55 a.m. - Registration
- 8:55 - 9:00 a.m. - Welcome Speech
- 9:00 - 10:30 a.m. - Panel 1: Arbitration in Conflict Zones
This panel will examine the potential of arbitration as a crucial mechanism to address the gaps left by dysfunctional or inaccessible courts in regions affected by geopolitical instability. It will explore the impact of conflicts on investment and commercial arbitration proceedings and the unique challenges of enforcing arbitral awards in such contexts, including under the New York Convention and the ICSID Convention.
The discussion will consider key questions such as: How can arbitration adapt to resolve disputes effectively in conflict zones? What procedural and substantive issues are most prevalent in disputes arising in conflict-affected jurisdictions? What strategies can parties employ to enforce awards against entities in such jurisdictions? Is arbitration a viable alternative in conflict-ridden regions, or does it become another casualty of the challenges surrounding pre- and post-arbitration procedures?
The panel will be moderated by Rahim Moloo, Partner at Gibson Dunn and Lecturer at Columbia Law School, and features:
- Guled Yusuf, Partner at A&O Shearman (London)
- Felipe Nazar, Partner at Pérez-Llorca (New York)
- Eric Ives, Senior Counsel, U.S. Department of Commerce
- Caline Mouawad, Partner at Chaffetz Lindsey (New York)
- 10:30 - 10:45 a.m. - Coffee break
- 10:45 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. - Panel 2: Arbitration in Latin America
In an era of political transitions and legislative reforms across Latin America, this panel examines how arbitration continues to serve as a crucial mechanism for maintaining access to justice and protecting commercial relationships. As the region faces significant changes—from Argentina's economic reforms to Mexico's judicial transformation and Brazil's continued absence from ICSID—our distinguished speakers will explore how arbitration frameworks, institutional adaptations, and enforcement mechanisms are evolving to meet these challenges. Special attention will be given to the contrasting approaches in the region, where arbitration is seen as a vital solution in some countries following judicial reforms, while others focus on advancing regulatory reforms to establish themselves as competitive arbitration hubs for international disputes – such as Costa Rica and Guayana with their arbitration reforms.
Drawing from their extensive experience representing both private parties and sovereign states, the panelists will analyze how arbitration provides stability and predictability for commercial relationships while navigating regional complexities. The discussion will address distinctive regional approaches to dispute resolution, including the modernization of arbitration frameworks across Latin America and the implications of varying national approaches to investment arbitration.
The panel will be moderated by Paris Aboro, special counsel at Covington & Burling (New York), Lecturer in Law at Columbia and features:
- Ari Mackinnon, Partner at Cleary Gottlieb (New York)
- Adrián Magallanes, Partner at Von Wobeser y Sierra, S.C. (Mexico City)
- Laura Sinisterra, Partner at Debevoise & Plimpton (New York)
- Mélida Hodgson, Partner at Arnold & Porter (New York)
- 12:15 - 1:30 p.m. - Lunch Break
- 1:30 - 3:00 p.m. - Panel 3: Challenges to arbitrators: enhancing or weakening the arbitration system
Arbitrator challenges are essential to maintaining fairness and trust in arbitration by addressing impartiality and conflicts of interest. However, their increasing use raises concerns about balancing fairness with efficiency and avoiding disruptions.
This panel will explore the dual impact of arbitrator challenges, which promote transparency and fairness but can also disrupt arbitration through delays and inefficiencies. Panelists will discuss procedural improvements, stricter disclosure standards, and innovations like AI to enhance trust in the system while preventing abuse. The panel will be moderated by Prof. Robert Smit, independent arbitrator and Adjunct Professor of Law at Columbia Law School, and features:
- Amal Bouchenaki, Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills (New York)
- Santiago Escobar, Partner at Asali (Mexico City)
- Miriam K. Harwood, Partner and Chair at Katten (New York)
- Timothy G. Nelson, Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom (New York)
- 3:00 - 3:15 p.m. - Coffee Break
- 3:15 - 4:30 p.m. - Panel 4: ISDS Reform
This panel will bring together government representatives to discuss the future of Investor-State Dispute Settlement (ISDS). Key topics include the system’s ability to address human rights and environmental concerns, the reforms underway in treaty negotiations, the effectiveness of the introduction of an Investment Court, and the cultural competence of arbitral tribunals. This panel will be moderated by Kabir Duggal,, Lecturer-in-Law at Columbia Law School and senior international arbitration advisor at Arnold & Porter, and features:
- Jaroslav Kudrna, Head of the International Arbitration and Investment Protection Unit at the Ministry of Finance of the Czech Republic
- Juan José Quintana Aranguren, Ambassador and Deputy Permanent Representative of Colombia to the United Nations
- Samira Sulejmanovic, Head of the Department for Bilateral Trade Relations at the Ministry of Foreign Trade and Economic Relations of Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Young Shin Um, Senior Deputy Director at International Dispute Settlement Division, Ministry of Justice of South Korea
- 4:30 - 5:45 p.m. - Fireside Chat: The Resilience of International Arbitration
International arbitration, long celebrated as the cornerstone of cross-border dispute resolution, faces unprecedented challenges in an increasingly complex global landscape. In a frank conversation with two of the world’s leading practitioners, the speakers will discuss the challenges faced by the field, and the way forward.
Prof. George A. Bermann (Columbia Law School) will explore the enduring strength and adaptability of international arbitration in this insightful fireside chat with Ms. Martina Polasek, Secretary-General of ICSID, and Mr. Claus von Wobeser, renowned arbitrator and thought leader in the field. This discussion will delve into the challenges and innovations shaping arbitration today. The session will also include a Q&A segment, allowing attendees to engage with these distinguished experts and gain deeper insights into the future of international dispute resolution.
- 5:45 - 8:00 p.m. - Reception