Submitted by Svenja Wachtel and Sneha Ashtikar
Arbitration Happy Hour is a new format launched by ArbitralWomen member Svenja Wachtel and Jus Mundi’s Sneha Ashtikar on Clubhouse. Clubhouse is a social networking app based on audio-chat, a mix between talkback radio, conference calls, and Houseparty. Users can listen in to and join various conversations, interviews, and discussions – it is just like tuning in to a podcast and actively participating.
Sneha and Svenja started the “Arbitration Happy Hour” series on 11 February 2021, talking for 30 minutes about Moot Courts. Following this successful kick-off event, they decided to turn the “Arbitration Happy Hour” into a regular event. Every Thursday, you can join Svenja and Sneha at 6pm (CET) for discussion about various arbitration-related topics.
The second event focused on “Racial Diversity” and featured ArbitralWomen Board member Rekha Rangachari. Rekha spoke about Racial Equality for Arbitration Lawyers (R.E.A.L). R.E.A.L is a newly launched initiative by a group of global lawyers practicing international arbitration committed to achieving racial equality in arbitration.
“Arbitration Happy Hour” has subsequently featured other fabulous guests, including Mahnaz Malik (Twenty Essex) who explored whether arbitrators should be on social media or not, Lise Alm (SCC), who discussed the recently published report on “Diversity in Arbitrator Appointments” and ArbitralWomen President Dana MacGrath, who shared her views for International Women’s Week.
Future events will cover topics such as the importance of mental health for lawyers, building a personal brand in arbitration, power of networking, etc.
Together with Sajid Suleman, Svenja and Sneha have also created an “International Arbitration” club on Clubhouse, where everyone interested in arbitration is welcome and invited to host rooms to let the arbitration community grow.
“We hope to facilitate an exchange of ideas and share experiences on a variety of arbitration-related matters through this new medium,” says Svenja.
The goal is to have members of the worldwide international arbitration community tune in and join conversations on various topics to get a diverse perspective on different aspects of international arbitration.
“Arbitration Happy Hour is a fun way to exchange thoughts and meet new people from all around the world through a new digital medium,” explains Sneha.
If you have a topic that should be featured on the “Arbitration Happy Hour”, please contact Svenja (svenja@digital-arbitration.com) and Sneha (s.ashtikar@jusmundi.com).
As Clubhouse is an invitation and iPhone-only social app currently, Sneha and Svenja want to emphasize that they are happy to send invites to everyone interested in participating in the “Arbitration Happy Hour.” Simply send one of them an e-mail or a message on LinkedIn. Clubhouse has plans to open the platform to everyone in due course.