Asian Arbitration Counsel - CambridgeForums

Forum Overview

Dates: March 12 - 14, 2025

Location: Bangkok, Thailand

The Steering Committee welcomes up to 44 leading arbitration counsel from key centers across Asia. Those invited are highly experienced, confident practitioners with at least 10 years of relevant experience who are at the cutting edge of their practice and are well-known in the industry.

Candid, seminar-style discussions, allow peers the openness to examine new ways of thinking about aspects of their practice ranging from legal topics, practice management, and innovation for meaningful dialogue on the most interesting and provocative issues of the day.

2025 Steering Committee

This elite group, comprised of experts in the field, personally nominates all invitees and develops the Agenda, which forms the basis of our discussions.

Committee Chair

Steering Committee

David MacArthur is currently Co-head of International Arbitration at Yulchon, based in Seoul, having recently returned to Korea after 3 years in Tokyo, Japan, where he developed and led a dedicated international arbitration practice for Anderson Mori & Tomotsune. Originally from a US commercial litigation background, David has practiced almost exclusively in international arbitration for the better part of two decades, based in Asia. He has represented clients in dozens of large, complex disputes around the world, under most major arbitration rules and in a variety of industries. David is also active as arbitrator and is conversationally proficient in Japanese and Korean.

Forum Directors

Jessica has a Bachelor’s Degree from McMaster University in Art History, Criticism and Conservation. A seasoned event and marketing manager, she has executed live engagements globally in the legal, technology, financial, not-for-profit and consumer products industries for many of the world’s leading organizations.

Prior to joining Cambridge Forums, Jessica worked in conference management, specializing in executive events for C-Suite executives, Board members and VIP clients. A fluid communicator, Jessica utilizes her leadership skills and passion for creating flawless participant experiences as a Forum Director, focusing on programs in private wealth and antitrust. A food & wine aficionado, Jessica is also accredited with the Wine and Spirit Education Trust (WSET) Level 2 Award in Wine & Spirits.

When she’s out of the office, Jessica enjoys hot yoga, skiing and travel.

CONNECT. ENGAGE. EXCEL. This is a different event, unlike any you've attended

Built on meaningful interactions and genuine connections, the Forum is the premiere gathering for

The quality of participants is exceptional and the format allows for analytical and stimulating discussions. The roundtable format is ideal for sensible, thought provoking conversations on issues that we encounter in our practices

Niti Dixit

Partner

S&R Associates

New Delhi, India

The format of Forum is unique among international arbitration events. Everyone participates, everyone is a speaker, and the size makes it possible to interact with all the participants.

Robert Wachter

Co-Head of International Arbitration

Lee & Ko

Seoul, South Korea

It's great to be able to meet and discuss relevant topics with such a carefully curated group.

Spandana Ashwath

Practice Lead

Aarna Law LLP

Bangalore, India

The Cambridge Forum for Asian Arbitration Counsel was an excellent experience. A small group of highly experienced and qualified counsel from diverse jurisdictions exchanging free-flowing ideas and experiences was a treat. Personally, I have started recently being appointed to act as an arbitrator for several disputes and I feel like the experiences shared in the room will be put in practice by me right away. In my practice as arbitration counsel there are a lot of helpful and practical ideas that are valuable and new. This is different from other conferences because of the small size of the group and free flow of discussion.