University of Georgia School of Law Professor Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge presented “Perpetual Peace Reconsidered: Arbitration and International Law in the 21st Century” as the keynote speaker at the 10th Annual Atlanta International Arbitration Society Lecture earlier this month. In his lecture, Rutledge considered the use of arbitration and alternative dispute resolution to resolve cross-border conflicts in the 21st century.
Rutledge holds the Talmadge Chair of Law. From 2015 through 2024, he served as dean of the University of Georgia School of Law. He is the author of the book Arbitration and the Constitution and co-author with Gary Born of the book International Civil Litigation in United States Courts. His works have been published by the Yale University Press, the Oxford University Press and the Cambridge University Press, and his articles have appeared in a diverse array of journals such as The University of Chicago Law Review, the Vanderbilt Law Review and the Journal of International Arbitration. He also regularly advises parties on matters of international dispute resolution (litigation and arbitration).
Attendees included 3L Jacob Wood and Master of Laws (LL.M.) students Sara Dorbahani, Michael Faleye, Paria Keramatkhah, Neethu James, Fatemeh Khouei, Samuel Kuo, and Zulma Perez. Five of these students (Wood, Dorbahani, Faleye, Keramatkhah, and Khouei) received Louis B. Sohn Professional Development Fellowships to support their attendance of this conference. Awarded by the law school’s Dean Rusk International Law Center, Sohn Fellowships enable students to attend professional development opportunities related to international law.
Conference attendees attended a number of talks and events designed for practitioners and students involved in international arbitration, including the ICC Young Arbitration & ADR Forum, the AtlAS Young Practitioners Group, networking lunches, and panel discussions. Georgia Law Dean Peter B. “Bo” Rutledge led a fireside chat with alumnus and current President of AtlAS, Christof Siefarth (LL.M. ’86).
Reflecting on the variety of panels and speakers in attendance, Keramatkhah said:
My favorite [discussion] was the panel on the “Top 10 Developments in Arbitration” and Dean Rutledge’s speech. This panel covered key trends in international arbitration, such as the rise of the Borneo Arbitration Center, and UNCITRAL procedural amendments. It also highlighted the growing importance of the new IBA Rules of Disclosure and updates to the 1996 English Arbitration Act. Differences between US and European arbitration were discussed, particularly in witness handling, cross-examination, and the judge’s role. I found this panel very interesting as it was very helpful in understanding the current and future challenges of arbitration. As it regards Dean Rutledge’s speech, since I was involved in [the] research of his speech, I appreciated that it provided deep insights into dispute resolution.
In describing the ways in which this experience benefitted him professionally, Wood said:
Attending the AtlAS conference reaffirmed my desire to practice in the field of international arbitration and aided in my pursuit of this goal. I was able to meet and converse with a variety of practitioners and arbitrators from across the globe.
When asked about her favorite moment from the conference, Dorbahani explained:
One of the standout sessions delved into the art of writing for a multicultural audience. As international arbitration becomes more diverse, mastering the nuances of cross-cultural legal advocacy is vital. It emphasizes how language can either clarify or complicate arbitration across borders. Coming from a Civil Law background, I found this especially relevant, as it highlighted the delicate balance needed to communicate effectively in a global legal landscape.
To read prior posts about Georgia Law students using Sohn Fellowships to attend professional development opportunities, please click here and here.
Fellowship is the highest level of membership in the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), and as a Fellow, Kuo is now part of a distinguished group of experienced dispute resolution practitioners and eligible to join the CIArb’s, and other arbitral institutions’, dispute panels of neutrals. CIArb is a global professional organization with over 15,000 members worldwide that represents the interests of alternative dispute resolution practitioners. The headquarters are located in London and the institute was founded in 1915. Its North America Branch has over 400 members and the closest chapter to the University of Georgia geographically is Atlanta.
Kuo, who is from Taiwan and the United Kingdom, received his bachelor of laws degree with upper second class honors from the University of York in the United Kingdom. During his law studies he held a variety of editorial positions and served in leadership positions, including international societies representative, secretary of the University of York International Students’ Association and mock parliament leader. In addition to completing several legal internships, he worked in the marketing department at Gunnercooke LLP in Manchester, England. Kuo serves on the editorial board of the Journal of Legal, Ethical and Regulatory Issues (JLERI) and is a fellow of the Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) and received a Michael Mustill Scholar of Gray’s Inn and the International Dispute Resolution Centre scholarship to undertake further study in international arbitration. Prior to his LL.M. studies, Mr. Kuo served as a moot arbitrator at the 31st Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot and the 21st Vis East Moot as well as several pre-moots.
The Master of Laws (LL.M.) degree at Georgia Law offers foreign law graduates opportunities to learn about the U.S. legal system, deepen knowledge of an area of specialization, and explore new legal interests. To learn more and to apply, visit our website.
We at the University of Georgia School of Law Dean Rusk International Law Center welcome international practitioners and scholars to campus today for an International Arbitration and Mediation Roundtable.
Panelists include: Dr. Christof Siefarth, Partner at the Cologne, Germany-based law firm GÖRG; Dr. Klaus Peter Berger, Professor of Law at the University of Cologne; and Dr. Beate Berger, Cologne-based attorney and mediator. They will discuss contemporary issues in international arbitration and mediation, as well as career paths and opportunities for interested students.
From left, Christof Siefarth, Klaus Peter Berger, and Beate Berger
exchange of notes 