Join us in Los Angeles on September 10, 2025, for the highly anticipated 9th Annual USC-JAMS International Arbitration Symposium: “Arbitration in the Pacific Rim” in collaboration with California Arbitration (CalArb), Institute for Transnational Arbitration (ITA) and Centro de Arbitraje de Mexico (CAM). Enjoy a full day of networking and interactive programming, including a keynote address titled “Using All the Tools at Our Disposal” by David Rivkin, Former President of the International Bar Association (IBA), Co-Chair of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Deputy President of the Anti-Doping Division of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS).
We invite you to join distinguished practitioners for a full day of in-depth panel discussions, thoughtful exchange on emerging developments in international arbitration, and meaningful networking with peers from across the field.
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Wednesday, September 10, 2025 at 9:00 AM – 5:30 PM
9th Annual USC-JAMS Arbitration Symposium with CalArb, ITA and CAM: Arbitration in the Pacific Rim
Gibson, Dunn & Crutcher, LLP | 333 South Grand Avenue | Los Angeles, CA 90071
PROGRAM AGENDA
9:00-9:30 AM – Registration and Continental Breakfast - Welcome Remarks by the USC-JAMS Arbitration Symposium Chair:
- Laura C. Abrahamson, Esq., C.Arb, FCollArb, Arbitrator & Mediator, JAMS
9:30 AM – 10:30 AM – Session 1 – CalArb Panel
Where East Meets West: Arbitration Strategies for the Pacific Rim
As commerce, investment, and innovation expand across the Pacific Rim, international arbitration has become a vital mechanism for managing risk and resolving disputes between parties in Asia and the Americas. This panel will explore practical strategies for avoiding pitfalls in drafting arbitration clauses, selecting effective forums, and navigating procedural, cultural, and ethical complexities in cross-border disputes. Panelists will address enforcement challenges, choice-of-law issues, and the influence of diverse legal traditions on advocacy and decision-making.
10:45 AM–11:45 AM – Session 2 – JAMS & USC Panel
From Turbines to Tribunals: Cross-Border Arbitration in the Renewable Sector
As global investment in renewable energy accelerates, disputes arising from these projects increasingly reflect the intersection of cross-border commercial arrangements, shifting regulatory frameworks, and ESG expectations. This panel will examine how international arbitration is being used to resolve renewable energy disputes across jurisdictions, with attention to the unique complexities involved—from long-term supply and infrastructure contracts to evolving treaty protections and sustainability-linked obligations. Drawing from recent developments in California’s energy transition—including offshore wind, clean tech, and grid modernization—the session will explore how parties are navigating regulatory risk, multi-jurisdictional enforcement, and heightened scrutiny around transparency and climate accountability. Particular focus will be given to Pacific-facing trade flows and dispute resolution strategy in a region increasingly shaped by both investment ambition and legal fragmentation.
11:45 AM–12:45 PM – Session 3 – CAM Panel
Recalibrating Risk: Arbitration and Enforcement in the New Mexico
As Mexico continues to evolve as the United States’ top trading partner—particularly in energy, automotive, and commerce—its legal and regulatory landscape is undergoing significant change. Recent developments after the judicial election, upcoming changes in the energy policy and tariff enforcement are reshaping the risk profile for cross-border contracts and disputes. These shifts are especially relevant for companies and counsel operating along the U.S.–Mexico corridor, including California and the border states. This panel will explore how these legal and policy changes are influencing arbitration practice, from renegotiation of dispute resolution clauses to enforcing awards. Panelists will address the impact of Mexico’s proposed reforms, ADR legislation changes, the growing complexity of energy and trade disputes, and the role of local courts in arbitration-related proceedings.
1:15 PM–2:00 PM:
Keynote & Sixth Annual Dorothy Nelson Lecture Address
Keynote Address:
“Using All the Tools at Our Disposal”
By Keynote Speaker:
DAVID RIVKIN
Former President of the International Bar Association (IBA), Co-Chair of Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre (HKIAC) and Deputy President of the Anti-Doping Division of the International Council of Arbitration for Sport (ICAS)
2:00 PM–3:00 PM – Session 4 – ITA Panel
Navigating Complexity: Arbitration, Innovation, and Legal Reform in Latin America
Latin America continues to be a dynamic and diverse landscape for international arbitration, where legal reform, institutional innovation, and shifting political priorities are reshaping how disputes are resolved. From Brazil’s evolving jurisprudence on arbitrator independence, to Mexico’s proposed updates to its ADR framework, to judicial modernization in Colombia and Chile, the region is experiencing both convergence with global standards and the emergence of distinct local approaches. This panel will explore how these legal and institutional changes intersect with increasing foreign investment from both the United States and Asia, particularly in sectors like energy, infrastructure, mining, and technology. Panelists will examine the implications of regional legal reforms for cross-border transactions, investor-state disputes, and commercial arbitration involving U.S. and Asian parties. Special attention will be paid to how counsel can navigate the intersection of global arbitration norms with evolving local procedures, offering comparative insights and strategic guidance for managing disputes across the Latin American region.
3:15–4:15 PM: Corporate Counsel International Arbitration Roundtable
4:15–5:30 PM: Closing Reception