by Gladwin Issac, Associate, S&R Associates, Mumbai, India

Chiann Bao, Member of the Advisory Council of Rising Arbitrators Initiative (RAI) and Member of Arbitration Chambers in Hong Kong interviews Sylvia Sámano Beristain, Secretary General of the Arbitration Center of Mexico (CAM) in the eighth episode of RAI’s “Interview the Institution” Series.

In this brief chat with Chiann, Sylvia looks back at how she found her calling in international arbitration, her move from Mexico to Hong Kong, and her work at CAM. She discusses the arbitrator appointment process in the CAM Arbitration Rules and the criteria that the CAM General Council applies when considering appropriate candidates. Sylvia notes the various initiatives at CAM to support the growth of younger arbitration practitioners looking for their first arbitral appointment as well as the Center’s remarkable progress on the diversity front. In her advice to candidates, she highlights the importance of mastering legal drafting and being prepared for the big moment.

Watch the full recording of the interview on the RAI website available here.