Tuesday, October 27, 2026
11:00AM EST (90 minutes)
Hosted on Zoom by JURIS Conferences
Register for this panel discussion with College of Commercial Arbitrators Fellows Grant Hanessian, Sherman Kahn, Richard Mattiacio, Kathleen Paisley, and Lawrence Schaner and moderated by Thomas Hanrahan and Merriann Panarella as they examine the key considerations that shape international arbitrations. Drawing on their extensive experience, the panelists will share practical insights and strategies to help practitioners make informed decisions at every stage of the arbitral process.
This presentation will highlight topics and techniques from the CCA Guide to Best Practices in Commercial Arbitration (Fifth Edition). Attendees will receive complimentary digital copies of Chapter 17, “International Arbitration (Preliminary Matters)” and Chapter 18, “International Arbitration (Conduct of Proceedings)”.
Webinar Registration
Register Here
Please note that this conference will be recorded and may be made available by JURIS after the event. Audience members will not be visible in the recording.
Continuing Legal Education: 1.5 hours of NYS CLE credit (transitional and non-transitional) in the Areas of Professional Practice. A NYSCLE certificate of attendance will be provided upon request which may be used when applying for credit in other jurisdictions.
Key Topics
Drawing on their extensive experience, the panelists will share practical insights and strategies to help practitioners make informed decisions at every stage of the arbitral process. Program topics include:
- Disclosures: International versus domestic approaches
- Jurisdictional Issues: The arbitral seat and governing law
- Fees and Costs: Who administers the arbitration and who decides cost allocation?
- Pleadings: How much detail is enough?
- Information Exchange and Disclosure: Document production, witness statements, non-party evidence, and protective orders
- Experts: Tribunal-appointed experts, tutorials, and “hot-tubbing”
- Evidentiary Hearings: Written testimony, confidentiality, and hearing procedures
- Awards and Post-Award Issues: Key distinctions between domestic and international practice
Attendees of this program may submit live questions for a Q&A session with the panelists.
Panelists
Grant Hanessian is an arbitrator in New York specializing in international and complex commercial disputes. Prior to June 2020, he practiced for 33 years at Baker McKenzie where he served as global co-head of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice. He teaches international commercial arbitration at Fordham Law School.
Sherman Kahn is an arbitrator and mediator and acts as counsel. Sherman has more than thirty years of experience with litigation in matters raising complex technological issues. Sherman has been sole arbitrator or a member of the tribunal on numerous arbitrations presenting complex technical and commercial issues.
Richard Mattiaccio is a full-time arbitrator and mediator who has served in more than 100 complex domestic and international arbitrations. A Chartered Arbitrator, educator, and arbitration thought leader, he teaches at Fordham Law School and has held key leadership roles with CIArb, NYIAC, and New York Arbitration Week.
Kathleen Paisley is a US national who has been practicing in Brussels, London and The Hague for more than 25 years. She combines a degree from the Yale Law School with an MBA in Finance and has passed the Certified Public Accountancy exam. As member of the New York bar, Kathleen specializes in International business transactions, Regulatory compliance, International dispute resolution, and EU competition law.
Lawrence Schaner is an independent arbitrator with over 35 years of experience handling international and domestic business disputes. A former Jenner & Block partner, he has served as arbitrator in more than 100 complex commercial cases. Chambers ranks him in Band 1 for U.S. arbitrators and among the world’s “Most in Demand Arbitrators.”
(Moderator) Merriann Panarella is an independent arbitrator, mediator, and consultant focused on complex commercial and intellectual property disputes. A former WilmerHale partner with 25+ years of litigation experience, she serves on leading arbitration panels and is a Harvard-trained mediator certified by WIPO for IP dispute resolution.
(Moderator) Thomas Hanrahan is an experienced arbitrator and mediator who has handled hundreds of mediations and more than 125 arbitrations. A Fellow of both the College of Commercial Arbitrators and CIArb, and former global litigation co-chair at Sidley Austin, he brings nearly four decades of experience across complex commercial, IP, employment, and antitrust disputes.
Co-Hosts
JURIS Conferences, in conjunction with JURIS Publishing—a leading legal publisher in Arbitration and Dispute Resolution—is a premier organization dedicated to fostering dialogue among key figures in International Arbitration and ADR. Since its inception, JURIS Conferences has hosted over 100 events worldwide, offering legal practitioners meaningful access to cutting-edge discussions and developments in the field.
