Author: Caroline Xu, ACICA Intern
For those who missed ACICA45’s Panel on ‘Building an arbitration profile’, this event wrap up summarises some of the insightful tips and strategies the panel covered to establish yourself in the arbitration community in a range of different professional contexts. Check out the recording of the panel discussion here.
Vicky Priskich: Vice-President, CIArb Australia; Barrister and arbitrator specialising in commercial litigation and arbitration
Benjamin Hayward: Senior Lecturer, Business Law & Taxation at Monash University
Chad Catterwell: Partner at Herbert Smith Freehills, specialising in cross-border disputes and international arbitration
To kick off, Benjamin shared that as an academic, taking active steps to build an arbitration profile is crucial. While you are expected to undertake academic work, such as research, publishing articles, and delivering lectures, you can also take care in choosing topical and meaningful issues that will attract interest in the arbitration community, and actively share your work, via channels such as social media, open-access journals and presenting at conferences.
Vicky shared that as a barrister, the key consideration is how you are viewed and associated with arbitration by others. There are concrete steps you can take to tie yourself to arbitration, for example completing an accredited course, which provides you with recognition in the field, engaging in specialist associations, and taking on speaking opportunities. Leveraging a background or specialisation in other substantive areas of law can be useful, where there is a need to shed light on that specialised knowledge in certain arbitration proceedings.
Chad shared that in private practice, there are four key audiences with which you should build a profile. These including the transactional teams within your firm, the arbitration community in Australia, your dispute resolution colleagues more generally, and your core clients. Tips to tie yourself to arbitration including engaging in discussions about when and how to use arbitration clauses, engaging in arbitration events, and highlighting publications and accomplishments related to arbitration.
Why and how should you engage with arbitration bodies and organisations?
The panellists indicated that serving the objects of the organisation helps you to become more familiar with the arbitration world and share insightful knowledge with others, while building your profile within that space, through speaking engagements and networking opportunities. All panellists also emphasised the importance of taking on relevant opportunities, especially international opportunities, and keeping an open mind.
How did the panel view further study and publication?
As an academic, Benjamin viewed the sustained effort of achieving a doctorate degree as an act of participation in profile-building itself, which he could leverage later in his career. Chad and Vicky indicated that further academic qualifications would benefit a career in arbitration, either due to directly applicable substantive knowledge, or transferable problem-solving skills.
Regarding publication, Benjamin stressed the need to reflect carefully on what kind of impact you intend to make. While some of his longer, more serious scholarly works had been relied on in arbitration proceedings, his shorter pieces were more widely read by busy practitioners. Vicky emphasised that you should write about what genuinely interests you, and suggested starting with shorter articles in outlets such as the Kluwer Arbitration Blog, or the ACICA Blog. Chad shared tips for producing more articles as a busy practitioner, including republishing through platforms such as Mondaq, and co-authoring articles with colleagues.
The panel closed off by sharing that you should be patient and perseverant, as building a profile takes time. While you should be careful in selecting the opportunities that are right for you, keen an open mind and challenge yourself, as you never know where your arbitration journey may lead you!
Check out other useful and insightful webinars from ACICA45 here.
