News

A virtual event to discuss International Investment Law, International Arbitration, and Protection of Public Health in times of COVID-19

This panel was organized with the sponsorship of the DC Bar Association International Law Community, International Investment and Finance Committee, and International Arbitration Committee.

February 18, 2021

The issue of double hatting has been framed in the words of Phillippe Sands, as to whether a lawyer can perform the activity of counsel in the morning arguing a position and then act as arbitrator in the afternoon deciding the same legal issue. This was a virtual event on March 1, 2021.

The Asian International Arbitration Centre (“AIAC”) was proud to host 95 teams from 46 countries for the 5th AIAC [Virtual] Pre-Moot (“AIAC Pre-Moot”). The strong participation during this year’s competition, as well as the dedication of over 220 arbitrators taking part in the competition and virtual social events, places the AIAC Pre-Moot in the running to be the largest Pre-Moot in the world.

IABA's Mid-Year Council Meeting and International Seminar dedicated to “Constitution and Democracy in the Times of COVID-19: A Way Forward and Effective Protection of Rights,” provided an insightful and timely discussion featuring prominent speakers from around the world, including GST LLP's Ignacio Torterola. Taking place February 17-19, 2021, the academic event was held virtually and provided a forum to review and improve institutional governance, as well as reflect on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos spoke on"Las tendencias actuales en mediación," at a virtual event organized by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), branch CIArb-Ecuador, with the support of CIARb-Brazil, ECIJA, USFQ, among others. The two-day event included international expert discussions on current topics related to arbitration and mediation.

The Brazilian arbitration community met to provide a free, high-level course on best practices and techniques for advocacy in complex cases. Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos elaborated on Witness Testimony.

On December 5th, Jose Angelo David spoke about legal education in the Philippines and the practice of international law and arbitration at the "Law School Forum." Organized by The Ateneo Lex of the Ateneo De Manila University Loyola Schools in the Philippines, the panel was attended by prospective law students. Other speakers included Sorsogon Province Governor Francis Escudero and De La Salle University School of Law Dean Jose Manuel Diokno.

In the first edition of Washington Arbitration Week (WAW), Counsel Pablo Mori moderated a panel entitled "Perspectives of Young Arbitration Practitioners." Panelists shared useful and interesting insights on how to break into, stay and succeed in the international arbitration world, how to successfully second-chair an arbitration proceeding, how to clerk for an arbitrator and how to keep up with new trends in international arbitration.

The International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) hosts the Virtual America's Conference 2020, boasting a world-class faculty. Representing Brazil, Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos was a panelist for "Around the Americas – Rapid-Fire Discussion on Current Developments." The exciting and quick-moving session covered key legal and practice developments pertaining to jurisdictions in the hemisphere.

On November 24th, Jose Angelo David presented a virtual conference entitled "Arbitration 101: Fundamentals of Domestic and International Arbitration." He discussed theory, practice, and contemporary issues in domestic and international arbitration. Organized by The Center for Arbitration of the University of Makati School of Law in the Philippines, the event and was attended by Filipino law students and private law firm practitioners.

GST LLP was pleased to participate in V Oxford Arbitration Day. Co-organized by the Commercial Law Centre (University of Oxford), the Oxford International Arbitration Society, and the EDUCA Foundation, specialists from all over the world discussed important issues related to international arbitration. Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos interviewed the Honorable Charles N. Brower during the event's keynote session.

Presenting alongside attorneys from Dechert LLP, Curtis and Shearman & Sterling, GST LLP's Pablo Mori elaborated on the webinar's theme, "Perfect Strangers: Underutilized Methods for Investment Arbitrations." Conducted in Spanish, the panel discussion drew an international crowd of lawyers, arbitrators and law students, and was broadcast online.

From climate change to civil rights and recovery from the pandemic, the world is experiencing an array of crises, all of which may require progressive solutions. In a presentation entitled, "Can Investment Treaties Pursue Progressive Goals?", GST LLP's Quinn Smith invited students to think critically about politics in investment treaties and what role, if any, progressive reforms can play.

GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos authored a proposal for Enunciado regarding Arbitration within Public Administration at the First Administrative Law Meeting (Jornada), hosted by the Council for Federal Justice, Brasilia, DF.

Partners Ignacio Torterola and Diego Brian Gosis presented an executive training at the Columbia Center on Sustainable Investment, a think tank at Columbia Law School, designed to create awareness and capacity-building among government officials to negotiate international investment treaties and defend investment disputes. Their presentation focused on jurisdictional defenses in international investment law.

GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos spoke to the nuances of utilizing and maximizing technology in this webinar, hosted by Arbitraje Alumni, entitled ”Effective Persuasion in Virtual Hearings: Challenges and Tools: Perspective from the Arbitrator.”

Gleaned from his 30 years of experience, GST LLP Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos provided unique insights pertaining to “Thoughts About the Future of Conflict Management & Resolution.” The webinar was hosted by Camara De Arbitragem, Mediação & Conciliação do Centro Das Indústrias do Rio Grande Do Sul (CAMERS); Brasilia.

GST LLP’s Mauricio Gomm Santos was e-interviewed and provided insights related to industry developments as a result of COVID-19. The thought leadership discussion, entitled “A Dialogue Between Mediation and Arbitration: When And How Domestic And International Experiences Can Help In A Post Covid-19 Scenario,” was hosted by the Institute for Certification and Formation of Portuguese Speaking Mediators (ICFML).

GST LLP’s Mauricio Gomm Santos was part of an expert panel discussing “Arbitration in Brazil 2020: Insights from International and Local Practitioners.” The webinar was hosted by CIArb Brazil Branch in conjunction with NYIAC and Baker McKenzie.

GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos presented on the ”Current Challenges of International Arbitration,” in a webinar hosted by Canal Arbitragem.

Hosted by the New York State Bar Association and New York Arbitration Center, the ”Global perspectives for a Challenging ADR landscape: 2020 and Beyond" seminar included leading experts from around the world. GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos was a featured speaker and elaborated on The Latin America perspective: Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Mexico and Peru.”

Titled "CIARb and ICC Recommendations Regarding Arbitration And Mediation Remote Proceedings: A Comparative Approach,” Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos presented recommendations and solutions for conflict resolution in this webinar hosted by CIArb Brazil Branch. Attended by arbitrators, lawyers, and mediators, the seminar was conducted in Portuguese and can be viewed on Youtube.

From maritime contracts to maritime arbitration, GST LLP's Mauricio Gomm Santos joined an expert panel comprised of lawyers and arbitrators at the ”The Lawyer in the Maritime Arbitration" seminar hosted by the CIArb, Brazilian Branch. The topic, Evidence in the Arbitral Process: Differences between Common law and Civil Law.

Partner Mauricio Gomm Santos was invited to present at the 3rd International Mediation Congress “Mediation Without Borders: The Singapore Convention,” hosted by Grupo de Estudos de Mediação Empresarial Privada (GEMEP) and the Mediation Group of The Brazilian Arbitration Committee (CBAr), Sao Paulo, Brazil.