Dear Alumn.ae.i,

The Paris Chapter, represented by Ivan Monème (IHEID ‘88, Fletcher ‘89), would like to invite you to a digital talk with Will Thomas, a partner at Freshfields’s public international law practice.

Specialising in public international law and international arbitration, Will has acted as counsel and advocate in numerous institutional and ad hoc arbitral proceedings, including under ICC, LCIA, ICSID and UNCITRAL rules. He has represented States’ parties before both the International Court of Justice and the Iran-US Claims Tribunal. His non-contentious practice includes advising on a wide variety of international law issues. His clients include private multinationals, States and State entities, operating primarily in the energy, extractive and telecom sectors. Will lectures annually on international law courses at both Sciences Po, Paris and King’s College, London.

During this one-hour discussion, Will intends to analyse three questions:

• How effective is the climate change treaty regime as it stands today?
• Should international courts and tribunals play a more significant role?
• Could non-State actors usefully participate further within the current international law landscape?  

Noah Rubins QC (Fletcher ’99), Head of Freshfields’ arbitration practice in Paris, will join us to bring a US perspective on the topic. Noah specializes in energy disputes and arbitration involving States. After working as a diplomat in Russia and in the NGO sector in Central Asia, he practiced law in New York, Houston, Washington, Istanbul and – for the last 17 years – in Paris.

Please note that the event will not be recorded. Chatham House Rule applies.