David W Rivkin, Karyl Nairn KC, Eduardo Zuleta and Utku Coşar join Arbitration Chambers in London and New York

David W Rivkin, Karyl Nairn KC, Eduardo Zuleta and Utku Coşar join Arbitration Chambers in London and New York

It was the largest single slate of arbitrator arrivals since the Hong Kong-based enterprise opened in London in 2017

A quartet of eminent arbitrators from different parts of the world has recently joined the Arbitration Chambers in New York and London, bringing the headcount to 23.

While former International Bar Association (IBA) president David W Rivkin joined after retiring from Debevoise & Plimpton last year, Karyl Nairn KC had led the international arbitration group at Skadden Arps Slate Meagher & Flom. Also, former Baker McKenzie partner Eduardo Zuleta and Turkish arbitrator Utku Coşar became associated with the pre-eminent chambers for international arbitrators in the world.

Gavin Denton, the head of the Arbitration Chambers welcomed the four stating that they were committed to achieving increased diversity in all forms alongside offering excellence in arbitration.

Rivkin will practice solely as an arbitrator, focusing on complex commercial disputes and investment treaty claims, particularly energy, pharma, finance and technology disputes.

He served at Debevoise's New York office for over 40 years, with more than 20 years working as co-chair of the firm's international dispute resolution group. In 2015-2016, he was IBA's president, the first American to serve in the post for 25 years. Currently, he co-chairs the Hong Kong International Arbitration Centre alongside former Hong Kong justice secretary Rimsky Yuen SC.

Meanwhile, London-based Nairn KC will practice as an arbitrator in commercial and investment treaty cases across the finance and banking, energy, mining, pharma, and telecom sectors.

She served as co-chair of Skadden's global litigation and arbitration group before retiring from the firm in 2022. Equally active in the arbitration scene, she holds a leadership role at Justice, a law reform and human rights charity. Earlier, she served on the ICC International Court of Arbitration, including as vice president for 16 years. Currently, she holds a similar role in the London Court of International Arbitration. Recently, Nairn began a six-year term as a High Court judge.

Zuleta, the South American arbitrator has expertise in construction, oil and gas, infrastructure and broader complex commercial disputes, and investor-state arbitrations. He will split his time between the US and Columbia.

He was working at Zuleta Abogados Associados, having concluded his practice as counsel 20 years after establishing the firm. Prior to that, he was with Baker McKenzie. He is active in the IBA's influential Arbitration Committee and is known for his work as a former vice president of the ICC.

Coşar has IBA credentials and her expertise lies in energy, infrastructure, and mining disputes relating to M&A, banking and finance, and international investments.

She joined the Arbitration Chambers after leaving the four-partner Turkish firm Coşar Avukatlık Bürosu, where she was the managing partner. She practiced as a full-time arbitrator in Istanbul and New York.