LALIVE and the MIDS

What motivated you to undertake this course at the MIDS?

Before embarking on my journey with MIDS, I gained valuable experience in arbitration practices at several esteemed law firms in Kyiv, Ukraine, and Paris, France. With each experience, I became increasingly aware of the vast realm of knowledge awaiting exploration, both in substantive law and in the diverse approaches and intricacies of different jurisdictions. MIDS emerged as the perfect avenue for this pursuit, offering a harmonious blend of theoretical insights and practical applications delivered by a distinguished faculty.

What particularly drew me to MIDS were the myriad career prospects awaiting graduates, the extensive network of exceptional alumni, and, not least of all, the range of scholarships administered by MIDS. Among these, the generous LALIVE scholarship played a pivotal role in enabling me to pursue the program.

What are you enjoying about the experience so far?

MIDS has been a life-changing experience for me in many respects. The classes transcended the traditional lecture format, instead resembling sessions where top-notch practitioners generously shared their practical insights and expertise. Engaging in intellectually stimulating discussions on pertinent issues of dispute settlement with fellow practitioners enriched the learning experience.

Moreover, the educative trips to institutions such as the ICC in Paris and the PCA and ICJ in The Hague provided invaluable hands-on insights into their work. Participating in a mini moot court and a witness examination workshop facilitated by renowned practitioners offered practical guidance and tricks honed over years of experience.

Lastly, the sense of belonging to the MIDS family was truly special – from alumni eager to share their experiences to the dear friends I made during my time at MIDS.

Which areas in international dispute resolution appeal to you?

My primary interest, as well as my pre-MIDS practice, has centered around international investment and commercial arbitration. The invaluable insights gained from MIDS, particularly through intensive courses such as Investment Arbitration taught by Dr. Michele Potestà and Ann Catherine Kettlewell, Contract Law in International Arbitration led by Professor Patricia Saiz, and the General Course by Zachary Douglas, have further deepened my passion for these areas.

Once you complete the course, what would you ideally like the next step of your career to be?

I look forward to implementing into the practice the knowledge in the fields of investment and commercial arbitration gained at MIDS at international law firms in Paris and Geneva.

What motivated you to undertake this course at the MIDS?

I believe in infinite possibilities. My successful application to the MIDS and receipt of the generous LALIVE scholarship are testimony to that. Having worked in international commercial and investment treaty arbitration for 3 years based out of Mumbai, I was keen to further globalise my career and gain international exposure. It was a natural choice to explore the MIDS LLM, which is widely-regarded as the best masters program in law, focused on dispute resolution.

What are you enjoying most about the experience so far?

The MIDS LLM has shown me infinite possibilities and beyond. My favourite part about the MIDS is the incredible networking opportunities it creates, which I was well-equipped to capitalize on, thanks to the excellent career counselling provided by the MIDS. In fact, every MIDS event, including the academic moot and the FIAA workshop served as great platforms to not only hone essential lawyering skills, but also to build meaningful and lasting relationships.

Which areas in international dispute resolution appeal to you?

I greatly enjoyed my tryst with investment treaty arbitration during my time at Shardul Amarchand Mangaldas & Co, Mumbai, where I worked with Dr Rishab Gupta, who is now an independent barrister at Twenty Essex, London / Singapore. The MIDS general course with Dr Zachary Douglas KC and the MIDS intensive course with Dr Georgios Petrochilos KC have further reaffirmed my keen interest in the field.

Once you complete the course, what would you ideally like the next step of your career to be?

I wish to continue seeking infinite possibilities after the MIDS. I will continue working in international arbitration in a major commercial hub like London, constantly challenging myself, learning, growing and thriving.

What motivated you to undertake this course at the MIDS?

I got passionate about international arbitration through participation in different arbitration moot courts and was looking for an LL.M. program which would deal specifically with international dispute settlement. Among many other similar LL.M. programs, the MIDS attracted me by its balance between international arbitration and public international law as well as an outstanding faculty comprising reputed academia and arbitration practitioners from all around the world.

I also got interested in the MIDS because of its career opportunities upon graduation, developed alumni network and unique curriculum features (academic trips to Paris and the Hague, academic retreat in the form of a moot court held in Château de Bossey, FIAA workshop on cross-examination in international arbitration).

Finally, the MIDS gives a chance to pursue the program with a full scholarship it manages, and I am extremely grateful to LALIVE for awarding me its scholarship without which my MIDS experience would not have been possible.

What are you enjoying most about the experience so far?

My year at the MIDS met my expectations. I really enjoyed a perfect combination of theory and practice in our classes as well as heated discussions we had sharing experience and knowledge of different jurisdictions. What I will cherish throughout the years – is the friendship that I built with my classmates and the sense of being a part of a big MIDS family that is ready to support and mentor you.

Which areas in international dispute resolution appeal to you?

I am interested in all aspects of international dispute settlement taught at the MIDS, but among areas of my particular interest I can name investment arbitration because of a mixture of public international law, investment law and international arbitration.

Once you complete the course, what would you ideally like the next step of your career to be?

I am eager to apply knowledge and skills obtained at the MIDS in practice by pursuing an internship in a law firm dealing with investment arbitration, international commercial arbitration and public international law.

What motivated you to undertake this course at the MIDS?

Having previously undertaken an LL.M. in international law with an emphasis on the substantive elements of its public and private dimensions, I developed an interest and passion to pursue an advanced LL.M. on the procedural and practical application. The MIDS LL.M. emerged as the ideal programme in that regard. I chose it for its outstanding curriculum and reputation as the world’s leading programme in international dispute settlement. I am forever grateful to LALIVE to have generously offered me a full scholarship to undertake the study.

What are you enjoying most about the experience so far?

The pandemic notwithstanding, my hitherto experience at the MIDS has been splendid. The programme’s content is enlightening and intriguing. The superb professor-student camaraderie, the frequent dinners with classmates, and the scenic beauty of the city indeed remain to be cherished for a lifetime. I should also mention the magnificent view – especially during zoom classes – from the study section of my room overlooking Lake Geneva and the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the United Nations. It is refreshing!

Which areas in international dispute resolution appeal to you?

I find appealing Commercial Arbitration, Investment Arbitration, WTO dispute settlement, UNCLOS dispute settlement, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) procedures. My MIDS LL.M. dissertation – under the supervision of Professor Marcelo Kohen – is on ICJ dispute settlement, specifically the ‘may be affected’ requirement and the jurisprudence of non-party intervention.

Once you complete the course, what would you ideally like the next step of your career to be?

I hope to undertake an internship, preferably in Europe – with a focus on dispute settlement practices – to enable me to build on the acquired knowledge from the programme.

What motivated you to undertake this course at the MIDS?

Having previously undertaken an LL.M. in international law with an emphasis on the substantive elements of its public and private dimensions, I developed an interest and passion to pursue an advanced LL.M. on the procedural and practical application. The MIDS LL.M. emerged as the ideal programme in that regard. I chose it for its outstanding curriculum and reputation as the world’s leading programme in international dispute settlement. I am forever grateful to LALIVE to have generously offered me a full scholarship to undertake the study.

What are you enjoying most about the experience so far?

The pandemic notwithstanding, my hitherto experience at the MIDS has been splendid. The programme’s content is enlightening and intriguing. The superb professor-student camaraderie, the frequent dinners with classmates, and the scenic beauty of the city indeed remain to be cherished for a lifetime. I should also mention the magnificent view – especially during zoom classes – from the study section of my room overlooking Lake Geneva and the headquarters of the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) of the United Nations. It is refreshing!

Which areas in international dispute resolution appeal to you?

I find appealing Commercial Arbitration, Investment Arbitration, WTO dispute settlement, UNCLOS dispute settlement, and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) procedures. My MIDS LL.M. dissertation – under the supervision of Professor Marcelo Kohen – is on ICJ dispute settlement, specifically the ‘may be affected’ requirement and the jurisprudence of non-party intervention.

Once you complete the course, what would you ideally like the next step of your career to be?

I hope to undertake an internship, preferably in Europe – with a focus on dispute settlement practices – to enable me to build on the acquired knowledge from the programme.