Avenues
into
arbitration  

Olivia Kaye   

"I wanted to be a lawyer since I was a very small child. I always enjoyed arguing and when my parents told me that I could be paid to argue for a living, I was sold. However, I took a rather roundabout route into law.

As an undergraduate, I studied archaeology and anthropology and then did a Master's degree in Arabic and Middle Eastern Studies at the American University of Beirut. In my twenties, I worked in a number of different jobs, but law was the only thing that I wanted to pursue as a career. I returned to London in my late twenties, did the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL), and secured a training contract with a law firm in the United States."

Olivia Kaye   

"I have faced many obstacles in my career, including health issues while studying for the GDL, difficulties finding a training contract, unexpected geopolitical events that meant I one day found myself without a job, and being accepted by a chambers when I moved over to the Bar.

I always approach obstacles in the same way: take a beat and then reassess what it is that I want and where I want to go, and then adapt accordingly to get there. I have come to see that careers are often not linear. It is the obstacles that teach us the best lessons and, ultimately, leave us stronger and more resilient."

Olivia Kaye   

"There are honestly too many to write about, so I’ll focus on three things. First, it is challenging. I am constantly learning new things (procedural, strategic, substantive, or even relating to a specific sector), which I love. Second, it is always varied – no two cases or days are the same. Third, as a social anthropologist, I have always been fascinated by cultural variations and very much enjoy travelling. I am so fortunate that I get to experience this in my day-to-day job with clients and cases all over the world."

Olivia Kaye   

"Start building relationships early. Go to arbitration conferences and events and meet people, and then try and stay in touch. Sign up for mentorship schemes. Get involved in the young arbitration groups - they are less intimidating and a great way to meet people.

If you’re still studying, try and take courses in arbitration. Even if you are not studying, have a look at Ciarb’s courses. If you are looking to do a training contract, go to open days at the law firm, and I would always suggest doing vacation schemes and not just applying for a training contract.

The same goes for pupillage - it is better to do a mini pupillage. This allows you to see whether the firm or chambers is a good fit, which is important. Finally, push yourself to get comfortable outside your comfort zone."

Alan Rozenberg 

"In hindsight, the idea first took shape when I attended a hearing for the first time, around two years into my career as a junior analyst. I was captivated by the cross‑examination process and the way experts presented their views. Still, it took several more years of experience before I felt confident enough to take on that role myself."

Abigail Harris 

"I was fortunate enough to begin my career at a disputes-focused firm after graduating. Being exposed to some very talented experts early in my career set me on the path to becoming an expert witness myself."

Alan Rozenberg 

"The biggest challenge is often getting that first appointment, finding a client willing to trust that you can perform well, especially at a hearing, before you have done it before. Having mentors and senior experts who support you makes all the difference, but that trust is earned through consistent, high‑quality work and clear communication, both internally and with clients."

Abigail Harris 

"One of the biggest hurdles for any aspiring expert witness is securing that first appointment and giving your first testimony. Having someone step in and sponsor you with clients is invaluable (as well as being flexible on rates, of course).

Alan Rozenberg 

"I enjoy many aspects of the role. Working across such a wide range of industries and collaborating with exceptionally bright colleagues and clients makes the work constantly stimulating. As an analytical person, I am drawn to the depth and rigour of the analyses, and even after many cases, I still find hearings as exciting as that first one I witnessed."

Abigail Harris 

"I love hearings. Naturally, they are intense and can certainly be stressful, but the feeling of everyone being in the same room and focused on the key issues of the case is unbeatable."

Alan Rozenberg 

"Say yes to opportunities and stay curious. At the start, it is invaluable to work on a wide range of cases to accelerate the learning curve. And remember, this is ultimately a people business — build genuine connections with peers, lawyers, and other professionals. Many of them will grow alongside you, and those relationships will shape your career as much as any project will."

Abigail Harris 

"Expert witnesses are a broad church. You can be an expert in almost any field, whether that be legal, technical, or another. Regardless of your discipline, the most important skill for an expert witness is the ability to distil complex ideas into succinct and accessible explanations that can be understood by a lay audience. Getting the opportunity to observe others testify and reading a variety of expert reports can help to hone your own practice."

Kevin Nash 

"I was drawn to commercial and investment arbitration even before I entered law school. I liked that it sits at the intersection of private and public international law and allows practitioners to work across legal systems. Even then I could see why it matters: arbitration is the grease on the wheels of commerce, promotes the peaceful resolution of disputes, and brings together different legal traditions, cultures and perspectives in one room.

Over time, my proximity to serious disputes confirmed those initial instincts, and I became increasingly interested in the craft of decision-making and procedural design. I also loved the pace and internationalism of the work which, at its busiest, could take me to four different continents in a single month, all in service of helping companies and people with serious disputes and real stories behind them."

Ben Giaretta C.Arb FCIArb   

"I decided to specialise in international arbitration early in my career as a lawyer. I wanted to work on international disputes and not be confined to the English courts, so arbitration was perfect for me. Initially, I worked only as a client representative (counsel). Later, I became an arbitrator because the opportunity arose when I was living in Singapore. I was approached with the offer of an arbitrator appointment.

To date, my career as an arbitrator has run in parallel with being a law firm partner, but after 17 years of that I have decided this year to step away from law firms and become a full-time arbitrator."

Kevin Nash 

"Breaking into arbitration can be a challenge because there is no clearly marked path. For me, that meant becoming comfortable quickly with uncertainty, being away from home, and moving across jurisdictions.

Arbitration is also a timing game, and when rare and meaningful opportunities arose, I treated them as if they might not come again. I made a point of saying yes to as much responsibility as possible, working hard enough to earn trust across the arbitration community, and building a life and practice capable of sustaining the pace in a field that moves quickly and rewards those who can keep up."

Ben Giaretta C.Arb FCIArb

"In my career as an arbitrator, the main obstacle has been the uncertainty of where appointments come from and, as a result, where to focus my marketing efforts.

I have been fortunate that in my initial years as an arbitrator, I managed to build up a decent number of cases, and I have not faced the problem that many encounter, of gaining sufficient experience at the outset. But arbitrator appointments are not evenly spaced out, and there are periods when it’s not clear where the next appointment is coming from. In those times, you have to keep up your marketing efforts and ensure you remain visible."

Kevin Nash 

"Being entrusted with complex disputes that matter deeply to the parties, and designing and managing a process that is fair, efficient, and credible across borders. There is something deeply satisfying about taking something complicated and reducing it to its essentials, exercising judgement under pressure, and producing an outcome the parties can accept.

At its core, the job is about creating confidence in the room and in the award. It is serious, consequential work, with real commercial and human weight, and I like being in the business of resolving disputes."

Ben Giaretta C.Arb FCIArb   

"In addition to being able to travel and work internationally, I enjoy the challenge of working towards a solution in each case. This involves listening patiently to each side and reading their submissions and the evidence, and then weighing up all the factors. It requires a lot of hard work and attention to detail, but there is great satisfaction in arriving at an answer that you consider to be the best in all the circumstances. This includes explaining the answer clearly in an award.

From the outside, it is easy to lose sight of the fact that the majority of an arbitrator’s time is actually spent drafting the award. An arbitrator must be an effective process manager during the case, but all the effort put into the case (by arbitrator, parties, counsel and others) is for nothing if an arbitrator does not produce a well-reasoned award."

Kevin Nash 

"Build substance before profile: reputation follows substance. Master contracts, evidence, and procedure before worrying about visibility. Early in your career, volunteer for the heavy cases. Stay for the procedural calls. Sit in the hearing room even when you are not speaking. I have learned more from watching how a tribunal handles a difficult witness or manages an over-lawyered procedural fight than from any number of conference panels. 

Just as importantly, pay attention to personal conduct. Be kind, loyal, and trusted. When I think back to the people I came up with, it is rarely the ones with sharp elbows or shaky ethics who have thrived in the long run. Be respectful of seniors, build excellence laterally with peers, and always help those who are trying to break in. This field runs on trust. Earn it carefully, protect it, and reinforce it every day by how you treat people."

Ben Giaretta C.Arb FCIArb   

"There are three main things I would recommend. First, read as many arbitration awards as you can. As I have said, a major part of an arbitrator’s role is drafting awards, and that is a skill that must be learned. There are courses (in particular, Ciarb’s award writing course) that help with this, but becoming familiar with the style and structure of awards through reading is essential.  

Second, network in person as much as you can, such as via your local Ciarb Branch events, but don’t neglect your online presence, including LinkedIn. Staying at the front of peoples’ minds is key.  

Third, invest in yourself through training and qualifications. I’ve gained various qualifications during my career - not only with Ciarb but also at Queen Mary University of London, and I’ve always found that I have learned so much from these. One needs practical experience, of course, but it’s also important to take time out of one’s busy life to develop skills and knowledge and the best way to do this is via the training courses on offer."

Daisy Moraa ACIArb 

“I work with construction dispute experts at Secretariat who expose me to the realities of international arbitration. Secretariat sponsored this early careers event, and so my motivation for convening it through the London Branch Young Member’s Group was to make it possible for those who have an interest in the field, like myself, to gain a high-level view of international arbitration from all angles: the expert, counsel, and arbitrator perspectives. Planning the event and collaborating with ELSA, the London Branch Young Member’s Group and Ciarb was a privilege.   

I knew that many other young professionals shared the same questions I had, so it was fulfilling to see the room fill up, demonstrating how valuable these conversations are. For me, this event was a reminder that when you give, you gain. The panellists were generous with their insights, and my key takeaways were to remain open to opportunities, to seek cross-border experience, and to follow my interests as those are what make the career journey unique.” 

Khrystyna Dmytruk  

"I’m at an early stage in my legal career, having recently completed my law degree with a focus on international and EU law. Through my academic studies and active involvement with ELSA UK, I have developed a strong interest in international dispute resolution, particularly arbitration. I'm now seeking opportunities to deepen both my understanding of and practical engagement with the field.  

I have a strong interest in the role of arbitration counsel, as it combines rigorous legal analysis with strategic advocacy in cross-border disputes. This avenue appeals to me as it allows me to contribute meaningfully to dispute resolution in a forum that values expertise and fairness, while aligning with my passion for the law. 

I’ve found a key challenge is gaining practical experience. Overcoming this often involves identifying practice modules and working experiences that provide opportunities to apply academic knowledge in real-world settings and develop professional skills. I’ve also recognised the importance of connecting with a supportive community and engaging with peers who are on a similar path, as this can be invaluable in bridging the gap between theory and practice. 

I would be keen to learn which skills or experiences are most critical for success as counsel in cross-border disputes. I am particularly interested in how early-career practitioners can gain meaningful exposure, develop practical expertise, and navigate the challenges of working across different legal systems. I would also value advice on building a professional network, managing the workload, handling cases efficiently, and staying up to date with evolving issues in international arbitration.”