Description

Synopsis

Dive into the dynamic world of arbitration with our upcoming event, “Arbitration Unveiled: A Young Practitioner’s Journey.” This session is tailored for individuals eager to explore the intricacies of a career in arbitration. Hear firsthand from a panel of young, seasoned practitioners who will share their diverse backgrounds, discuss the allure of arbitration practice, and reflect on the highs and lows of their professional paths. They will delve into their personal stories, revealing how they took their first steps into the arbitration world, navigated the challenges of the field, the contrasts between arbitration and court litigation, and the strategic moves from practice to in-house roles. Attendees will gain invaluable insights into the practical aspects of arbitration, including advice on academic modules, the importance of networking, and securing training contracts. Join us for an enlightening discussion that promises to demystify the practice of arbitration and provide actionable guidance for aspiring arbitrators and arbitration practitioners.

About the SIArb Young Practitioners Network

The coordinating committee for the Young Practitioners Network takes the lead on the Institute’s engagement with all young arbitration practitioners with less than 10 years’ experience in arbitration or below the age of 40. It aims to promote a strong mentorship culture within the Institute with events such as the Annual Careers Roundtable. It will serve as a forum for young practitioners to exchange ideas on arbitration through events such as the Annual Debate.

About the Speakers

Alessa Pang
Partner, Wong Partnership LLP

Alessa Pang is a Partner in the Commercial & Corporate Disputes, and International Arbitration Practices at Wong Partnership LLP in Singapore. Her main area of practice is in international arbitration and litigation, and she handles a wide range of cross-border commercial disputes before international arbitral tribunals, as well as before the Singapore courts. She has acted for clients in ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings under SIAC, ICC, LCIA, HKIAC, UNCITRAL and ICSID Rules. Alessa also has extensive experience in arbitration-related court proceedings, having acted for clients in setting aside proceedings, applications for anti-suit injunctions and other court applications arising out of ongoing arbitration proceedings. In addition to counsel work, Alessa also sits as an arbitrator.

In 2020, Alessa spent two months on secondment to a Philippine law firm, where she assisted with Philippine arbitration matters and advised clients on disputes arising from infrastructure projects in the Philippines.

Alessa graduated from the National University of Singapore and is admitted to the Singapore Bar.

Cathryn Neo
Associate Director (Litigation and Contingent Risks), Transaction Solutions, Asia

Cathryn leads the litigation and contingent risk solutions offering in the Aon Asia Transaction Solutions team. She has a broad commercial disputes practice with experience in international arbitration, litigation, insolvency and restructuring, and mediation. Prior to joining Aon, she practiced at a leading international law firm and a boutique disputes firm in Singapore. She also assisted arbitral tribunals as tribunal secretary for leading arbitrator, Dr Michael Hwang SC. An accredited mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre, she is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb) and the Singapore Institute of Arbitrators (SIArb). She was recently shortlisted as a finalist in Euromoney’s APAC Women in Business Law 2022 and 2023 awards under the category of Rising Star (Arbitration). She is qualified in Singapore, England & Wales, and Australia.

Damien Yeo
In-House Counsel

Damien started out as a disputes lawyer and transitioned to become tribunal secretary for international arbitrators in commercial disputes.

After a couple of years, he joined Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration as Assistant Registrar. He was fortunate to have the opportunity to revamp and launch the 4th Edition of the Arbitration Rules of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration, as well as the Singapore Bunker Claims Procedure.

He then transitioned to be an in-house lawyer. He believes that lawyers with an international disputes background have an edge in positioning negotiation strategies, as well as providing sound and practical advice to businesses across borders.

Tan Jun Hong
Advocate, Duxton Hill Chambers

Jun Hong currently practises from Duxton Hill Chambers. He has represented clients at all levels of the Singapore courts as well as in international arbitrations under various institutional rules.  Previously, Jun Hong served as a Justices’ Law Clerk of the Singapore Supreme Court and was part of the arbitration practices in WilmerHale and Wong Partnership. He is qualified in Singapore, England & Wales and New York.

Sherly Gunawan
Counsel, Singapore International Arbitration Centre

Prior to joining SIAC, Sherly practiced law at the Jakarta office of international law firms, where she primarily focussed on litigation and arbitration in the construction, mining, and plantation sectors. Sherly read law at the University of Surabaya, Indonesia with full scholarships and graduated summa cum laude. She also obtained an MSc in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution at King’s College London as a Chevening scholar, in which she passed with Distinction and received the Society of Construction Law award for the best dissertation. Sherly is admitted to the Indonesian bar (PERADI) and is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.

About the Moderator

Ang Wee Jian
Partner, Pinsent Masons MPillay LLP

Wee Jian is an international disputes lawyer, specialising in construction and energy arbitration and litigation.

He acts as counsel in international arbitrations & dispute board proceedings. His matters arise from complex infrastructure projects such as railways, roads, combined cycle power plants, tourism developments, wind farms, solar plants, hydropower dams, and data centres, across various parts of the world, including Africa, Europe, India, Malaysia, Pakistan, Russia, Saudi Arabia, and Taiwan.

Described by Legal 500 as a “superstar”, Wee Jian is amongst the inaugural batch of Singapore-qualified lawyers recognised in 2018 as an Accredited Specialist in Building and Construction Law. He sits on the SIArb Committee (Young Practitioners Network). Wee Jian has also spent time in a leading set of barristers’ chambers in London under the Singapore Academy of Law Post-Qualification Overseas Attachment.