Private Sector Careers in International Litigation and Arbitration

Ever wondered who represents Gambia in its genocide case against Myanmar at the International Court of Justice?  Or which law firms secured Naftogaz’s $5 billion award against Russia for seizing and nationalizing Ukrainian assets following Russia’s 2014 annexation of Crimea? Learn from the attorneys who advised Ghana in its landmark maritime boundary dispute with Côte d’Ivoire before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. 

The Berkeley Journal of International Law (BJIL), International Law Society (ILS), and International Arbitration Association at Berkeley Law (IAABL), invite you to meet the attorneys who handle these high-stakes international disputes. Hear from Foley Hoag’s International Litigation and Arbitration practice, Debevoise & Plimpton’s International Dispute Resolution Group, Curtis’ International Disputes practice, and Arnold & Porter’s International Arbitration team.

Our panelists will provide insights on: (1) how their practice groups navigate the complex intersection of public international law and commercial dispute resolution; (2) how their practice groups are structured to handle sovereign state representation versus corporate clients; (3) skills and qualities these specialized teams seek in summer and first-year associates, including ways to demonstrate your interest in international law early; (4) how to navigate specialized application processes for these practice groups; and (5) pro bono work in international law, including opportunities to work on human rights matters as summers and first-year associates.

Panelists

Christopher Daley

International Associate, International Litigation and Arbitration

Foley Hoag (Paris)

Christopher concentrates his practice on commercial and investment arbitration, domestic court proceedings, and representing sovereigns, sovereign entities, and commercial clients. He has experience across various industries, including renewable energy, oil & gas, mining, construction and development, logistics, insurance, and technology.

*Iulia will be joining us remotely.

John Muse-Fisher 

Counsel, International Arbitration

Arnold & Porter (San Francisco)

John focuses on international arbitration, including commercial and investor-state disputes. His practice includes representing sovereign states in high-stakes arbitrations, including the Republic of Korea in its multi-billion dollar investor-state dispute with Lone Star Funds, Turkey in its investor-state arbitration against Pakistan that resulted in a nearly $800 million award, and the Philippines in an investor-state arbitration involving Shell. John also brings significant experience in climate change issues, international service of process, and space law. John graduated from Berkeley Law with a certificate of specialization in international law. 

Juan Perla

Partner, International Disputes

Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP (New York, D.C.)

Juan represents a broad range of clients — from multinational companies to foreign states — in complex international disputes, including investor-state arbitrations, cross-border commercial litigation, and enforcement of arbitral awards against worldwide assets. His practice spans project finance, infrastructure, and disputes involving economic sanctions and expropriation claims. Juan is a leader in Curtis’s AI practice and has advised clients on public international law, foreign sovereign immunity, and U.S. foreign relations law. He was part of the Curtis team recognized by the Puerto Rico House of Representatives for their efforts to advance equal rights for Puerto Rico residents before the U.S. Supreme Court. Juan clerked on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

*Juan will be joining us remotely.

Christopher K. Tahbaz 

Partner, International Disputes Resolution Group

Debevoise & Plimpton (New York)

Christopher focuses on commercial and investment treaty arbitration across the Asia-Pacific region, representing U.S. and Asian multinational corporations in disputes before the ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, and other institutions. He was one of the lead partners who secured a $750 million ICC award on behalf of shareholders in a dispute over Hyundai Oilbank — named “Arbitration Win of the Year” by Global Arbitration Review in 2011. His current practice includes representing clients in the solar, pharmaceutical, and financial services sectors in major cross-border disputes arising out of transactions in China, Hong Kong, and Korea. In addition to his advocacy practice, Christopher sits as arbitrator under HKIAC, UNCITRAL, ICC, and ICDR rules, and is a listed arbitrator at both SIAC and HKIAC. He is a graduate of Columbia Law School.

Neil Popović [moderator]

 Frank C. Newman Lecturer at Berkeley Law 

Partner (International Litigation and Arbitration), Sheppard Mullin Richter & Hampton LLP

Professor Popović is also a partner at Sheppard Mullin, where he leads the firm’s International Litigation and Arbitration Team and ESG and Sustainability Team. His practice spans international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and transnational litigation. Professor Popović teaches International Environmental Law and International Litigation and Arbitration at Berkeley Law, and has published extensively on international law, human rights, and environmental issues. He holds a J.D. from Berkeley Law. 

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