I was delighted to arbitrate three moots as part of the 2023 CIETAC Cup. I wish all the competitors the best of luck! 

It was so special, on the occasion of the ICC's centenary, to host Claudia Salomon, the ICC Court of Arbitration President, at my new firm, Tanner de Witt, looking at the past, present and future of ICC arbitration in Asia.

🌟 We delved into Claudia’s personal journey, which has been marked by tenacity and dedication. Claudia was asked to go to Prague on five days' notice and that was a pivotal moment in her career.

🌟 We also reflected on the ICC's substantial achievements and goals - as well as its as-yet unrealised goals. Claudia’s insights into the evolving role of the ICC as a “Merchant of Peace” (which is what the Founders were called) were thought-provoking and emphasised the importance of adapting to the changing global landscape.

🌟 One of the highlights of the conversation was the emphasis on diversity. Notably, Claudia is herself the first female president of the ICC Court of Arbitration in its 100-year history.

🌟 Under her leadership, the ICC has established a taskforce on disabilities inclusion in international arbitration. (Stay tuned for the launch of the Taskforce's guide later this year!)

🌟 The exploration of the ICC’s relationship with Hong Kong, Greater China, and the Asia-Pacific region was especially relevant to our Hong Kong audience.

🌟 We also addressed how technology, and in particular the adoption of AI, is changing the face of arbitration.

🌟 Finally, Claudia shared two pieces of advice for the audience:

👍Stay curious. Don't make assumptions about others.

👍Do the best job at whatever you're given to do.

Thank you very much to Claudia; my co-host, Shahla Ali, and everyone who made the conversation so special: Ian de Witt, Vera He, Donna Huang, Felicia Yeo, Georgina Lees and Tammy Cheung.

🎉Thrilled to announce that our team came first runner-up position in the #HKLawSociety's Young Solicitors' Group Think Tank Competition! The competition, held over the last few months and which culminated in an in-person presentation on 24 June 2023, focused on “Regulating the use of AI in the Legal Profession”.

🙌 A huge shout-out to our team of trainees, Michelle Ng, Joan Wang, and Sabrina Chow, and our supervising buddies, Richard Poon and yours truly.

🔎Our presentation dealt with the following key issues and proposed solutions in regulating the use of AI by the HK legal profession:

🔹Issue 1: Need for a degree of transparency in the use of AI

🛠️Proposed solutions:

- Agree to appropriate Terms and Conditions with AI service providers

- Draft client engagement letters that explicitly address the use of AI tools, including issues of data storage, data usage, and the origin of the AI’s data

🔹Issue 2: Privacy and Data Protection

🛠️Proposed solutions:

- Include AI-related clauses in client-engagement letters

- Adopt a holistic risk management approach throughout the entire client engagement process, execution of work and post-matter review and feedback

🔹Issue 3: Legal Professional Conduct and Standards involving AI

🛠️Proposed solutions:

- Review existing duties under HK Solicitor Rules (e.g., duties of competence and confidentiality) and whether they adequately address AI-related risks

- Introduce AI-related training programmes for lawyers and trainees

- Given the speed of AI development, regularly review applicable rules and guidelines

🙏We are grateful to the HK Law Society and the Young Solicitors Group for their invaluable feedback. Special thanks to C.M. Chan, Amirali Nasir MH JP, Ronald Sum, JP, and Marcus Ng for their insights.

👏With six fantastic teams in competition, it was an honour to be part of this experience and tp contribute to a meaningful dialogue surrounding AI and its implications within the Hong Kong legal profession.

Last week, I had the incredible opportunity to speak at MediateGuru Nigeria's conference on "Exploring New Frontiers in International Arbitration".

It was fun to share my journey in international arbitration with a passionate Nigerian audience of law students and junior practitioners.

As our world becomes more interconnected, the need for experts in dispute resolution and technology is growing rapidly. I enjoyed sharing my insights on this exciting intersection between technology and arbitration and seeing the enthusiasm of the next generation of legal professionals in Nigeria.

For those looking to dive into the world of dispute resolution and technology, here are some tips I shared during the webinar:

1️⃣ Build a solid foundation in dispute resolution, regardless of your specific area of interest. This experience is invaluable as you navigate the world of international arbitration.

2️⃣ Embrace technology by trying different AI tools and platforms, from scheduling apps to content creation tools. This hands-on experience will help you stay ahead of the curve and stand out in the industry.

3️⃣ Stay informed by reading up on the topics that interest you. LinkedIn hashtags, subject-matter newsletters, and traditional media are all excellent resources to keep you in the loop.

4️⃣ Share your knowledge! Write LinkedIn posts, articles, or blog entries to showcase your expertise and thought leadership. This not only demonstrates your passion but also helps you build connections and open doors.

There are countless ways to demonstrate your interest and develop your skills in international arbitration and technology. Keep pushing your boundaries and "explore new frontiers"!

Finally, a huge congratulations to Elizabeth for hosting a fantastic conference! 🎉 Your hard work and dedication have brought together like-minded individuals, and I'm excited to see the impact that this event will have on the future of international arbitration in Nigeria.

YAWP - Young ArbitralWomen Practitioners is committed to helping young lawyers in international arbitration to build their careers.

We co-hosted a session with Neeta Halai of New Heights Training for an information session on the process and tips for qualifying as an English solicitor.

I had the pleasure of sharing some of the benefits I have enjoyed as a triple-qualified lawyer.

Would you believe I time-travelled? Yesterday, I arbitrated an investment arbitration moot applying modern international law set in ancient Rome.

We heard from the Claimant team from the National University of Management in Cambodia on issues including the valuation of some ancient salt pans in the City of Priene.

Congratulations to Devid Saiyan, Srun VirakYuth and Meas Chanpor.

Thank you to my co-arbitrators, Sui-Hang Hui and Melanie Wong.

Thank you to the HKIAC, especially Emily Poon, for inviting me to arbitrate.

If I could wind back the clock to when I graduated from law school, what would I do differently?

Assuming I get to turn 24 this year (and not when I graduated), I would think about how technology is radically transforming the legal profession.

Consider, for example:

🤖 Allen & Overy uses an OpenAI-powered chatbot, Harvey, to assist lawyers.

🥽 The Dubai International Arbitration Centre has launched a metaverse platform.

⚖️ A Colombian court recently hosted a court hearing in the metaverse.

It was exciting to consider different career pathways in arbitration and beyond at yesterdays' Young ICCA x Istanbul University Faculty of Law Dispute Resolution Club webinar on "Careers in International Arbitration with Young ICCA".

The Speakers were:

⭐Mehmet Karlı

⭐Ridhi Kabra

⭐Greg Lourie

⭐Elizabeth Chan

⭐Matheus Bastos Oliveira

Thank you to Saemee Kim for inviting me to speak and Ozan Geyik for organising!

My arbitrator briefcase (and heart) is so full. I had the privilege of arbitrating the Vis East International Commercial Arbitration Moot quarter-finals and was blown away by the fantastic performances of:

⭐ the Claimant Team from the National Law School of India University, Bangalore: Shruti Jain and Ananya Tangri; and

⭐ the Respondent Team from the National Law University, Delhi : Jigme Palzer Tshering and Akshat Jain.

Congratulations to the Claimant Team for advancing to the Vis East Moot finals in a couple of hours.

My thanks to my co-arbitrators, Christopher Tahbaz and Joris Bertrand.

My appreciation to the Vis East Moot organisers, Louise Barrington, JD, LLM, FCIArb, Sherlin Tung (董希琳), Aria T.C. Cheung, Maricel Somerville and the entire organising team. 

Are drones aircraft? And other thorny questions are being debated this week at the Vis East Moot.

Congratulations on fabulous performances by:

⭐ the Claimant Team from Southwest University of Political Science and Law: Hazel Fei and John Zheng; and

⭐ the Respondent Team from Hokkaido University: Arisa Oishi and Hikaruko Tsuchiya.

Thank you to my co-arbitrators, Djamel El Akra and Sean Gibbs.

What a buzz at the Vis East Moot Centre! As a former Mootie, sitting in the arbitrator's seat this time in the General Round was so much fun.

Congratulations on fabulous performances by:

⭐ the Claimant Team from Kathmandu University (KU): Ubbie Shrestha and Alangkrita Upadhayay; and

⭐ the Respondent Team from the Johannes Gutenberg-Universität Mainz Forschung und: Paul Rosenbauer and Yannis Häussel.

Thank you to my co-arbitrators, Sarthak Raj and Hok Yan Wong. 

Say hello to my CONNECTED 2023 mentoring group! CONNECTED is the flagship programme of the Hong Kong Law Society's Young Solicitors' Group.

With over 200 participants, the programme matches mentees, buddies and mentors in separate groups.

It's a great way to get to know other lawyers working in different firms, organisations and institutions in Hong Kong.

My group has in-house and external counsel, onshore and offshore lawyers, and lawyers with contentious and non-contentious practices.

Pictured here are Sabrina Chow, Christy Mak, Richard Poon, Marcus NG and yours truly.

Our group's mentors are Grace Yeung and Man Hei Wong. 

Arie Eernisse and I will be facilitating a discussion on AI and technology in international arbitration, as part of the "Young Practitioners and our Future" panel at the ICCA International Council for Commercial Arbitration Congress in Edinburgh this September.

For more details (including how to register), see below.

***

Young practitioners from various jurisdictions will come together to lead discussions on interesting, innovative and provocative initiatives in the international arbitration arena at #ICCAEdinburgh2022.

Join Yuet Min Foo for the ‘Young Practitioners and our Future’ speed-conferencing session along with Julian Bordaçahar, Naomi Briercliffe, Elizabeth Chan (陳曉彤), Arie Eernisse, Elena Gutiérrez García de Cortázar, Iuliana Iancu, Jonathan Lim, Melissa Ordonez, Nesreen Osman, Naomi Tarawali, Siddharth Thacker and Nhu-Hoang Tran Thang.

The Congress is taking place in Edinburgh from 18 – 21 September.

As a Group Advisor in the Young ICCA Mentoring Programme, I have the pleasure of learning from my four brilliant young mentees, Sunita Advani, Francis Chung, İpek İnce and Vishal Aggarwal.

Tonight, they gave me the privilege of interviewing Michael Lee and Sunita Advani about Michael's arbitrator practice and Sunita's role as his tribunal secretary.

Interviewing Michael and Sunita reminded me of my cherished experience as a judge's clerk at the New Zealand Supreme Court, at the beginning of my legal career. 

One of the highlights of my time as a new professional in Wellington was serving on the New Zealand Law Society's Young Lawyers' Committee. What a special occasion it was to speak to members of the YLC both in Auckland and Wellington last week, as well as to members of Young AMINZ on building an arbitration career overseas.

New Zealand is a wonderful place to get your legal education and to start your career. There are many pathways to building a career in arbitration overseas and they are all different. Choose the one that's right for you, and feel free to reach out to Michael Greenop, James Herbert or me if we can provide any support!

Special thanks to the event's moderators, Anna Cho and Sharnika Leleni, the opening speaker, Nicole Smith, and organiser, Sabeena Tsan.

What great fun to present on the art of selecting arbitrators with my Young ICCA mentee, İpek İnce!

Thank you very much to ISTVYAP - Istanbul Very Young Arbitration Practitioners for the opportunity, and to YAWP - Young ArbitralWomen Practitioners for co-organising! 

A very special evening listening to the stories of Hon Madam Justice Mimmie Chan about growing up in Hong Kong, developing her career as a lawyer and a judge, and life as a working mum, as part of the HK45 Supper Club, in the wonderful company of Pryderi Diebschlag MCIArb, Victor Yip, Ruoyu Li, Alice Wang, Wilfred Ho, Carmen Li, Jason Leung, Thomas WK Wong, FCIArb FHKIArb, Hin Han Shum and Lydia Tang.

Thank you to Berkeley Research Group LLC for sponsoring this wonderful evening and the HK45 Committee for the privilege of being part of this intimate dinner.

Thrilled to begin this two-year journey as part of the 9th cycle of the Young ICCA Mentoring Programme.

Our group mentor is Lijun Cao and our mentees are Francis Chung, Sunita Advani, İpek İnce and Vishal Aggarwal, ACIArb.

I am excited to be our Group's Advisor and to support the careers of our mentees.

What we will do? Watch this space!

Thank you to Emily Hay, Peter Rižnik and Krystle Baptista Serna for their superb organisation of this programme, and for the opportunity to participate.

Three Crowns associate, Elizabeth Chan, speaks at the ICC Young Arbitrators’ Forum (ICC YAF) Young Arbitrators’ Event, run as part of the Sixth Annual Cambridge Arbitration Day, taking place on 15 March 2019 at the University of Cambridge.

The annual Cambridge Arbitration Day brings together scholars, practitioners and students to discuss recent developments in international arbitration.

The ICC YAF Young Practitioners’ Event is aimed at encouraging young practitioners to exchange professional experience and network, with a view to strengthening links within the young arbitration community.

The theme of this year’s event is “How to raise your profile in the arbitration network?”