Team

Prof. Dr. iur. Anna Petrig, LL.M. (Harvard) 

Anna Petrig, a Swiss citizen, holds the Chair of International Law and Public Law at the University of Basel (Switzerland). She obtained her law degree (summa cum laude, mention droit européen) from the Université de Fribourg (Switzerland), holds a PhD (summa cum laude) in the field of the law of the sea and human rights law from the University of Basel, and was awarded her LL.M. from Harvard Law School where she studied as a Fulbright Scholar. Professor Petrig is a member of the Bar of the Canton of Berne (Switzerland) and the New York State Bar (USA).

Before taking up her Chair at the University of Basel, Anna Petrig was a professor at the University of Zurich (Switzerland) and a researcher at, inter alia, the Raoul Wallenberg Institute of Human Rights and Humanitarian Law in Lund (Sweden) and the Max Planck Institute for Foreign and International Criminal Law in Freiburg (Germany) where she initiated and managed the Sea Piracy Project. Her broad legal experience includes work in private practice, the courts, and the Legal Division of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Geneva.

Professor Petrig is the author of various monographs, notably pertaining to the law of the sea as well as international human rights law, general public international law and criminal law (see, e.g., Anna Petrig, Human Rights and Law Enforcement at Sea, Brill-Nijhoff 2014; Robin Geiss & Anna Petrig, Piracy and Armed Robbery at Sea, Oxford University Press 2011). Her articles and book chapters cover a wide range of ocean-related topics; she is also the co-founder and co-editor in chief of the Maritime Safety and Security Law Journal.

Professor Petrig has provided expert advice and legal counsel on maritime-related matters to the Swiss Government, NGOs, international organizations and other international fora, notably on the registration of ships, the use of private security companies at sea, and the protection of underwater cultural heritage. She also served as a member of the Swiss Delegation to the International Maritime Organization. Anna Petrig was sitting as judge ad hocfor Switzerland before the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea in the M/T “San Padre Pio” Case (Switzerland v. Nigeria), Provisional Measures. Professor Petrig has presented on law of the sea matters at universities and research institutes across Europe and in Japan; and has been invited to discuss her research at, inter alia, the International Maritime Organization, the NATO Centre of Excellence for Operations in Confined and Shallow Waters, the Montreux Document Forum, and the United Nations Human Rights Council Intergovernmental Working Group on Private Military and Security Companies. She has participated in various international research projects related to maritime matters as a researcher and as a member of advisory and ethics boards. Professor Petrig currently acts as a board member of the Swiss Maritime Law Association.

Dr. Elizabeth Mavropoulou, Programme Manager, Human Rights at Sea

Elizabeth is the Administrator & Programme Manager of Human Rights at Sea overseeing the projects and programmes of the charity with the aim to deliver and fulfil on the organisation’s charitable objectives. She acts as the focal point for external consultants and interns and she is responsible in developing new partnerships, strategically expanding the reach of the charity internationally.  She is also responsible for the day to day administration of the Secretariat alongside the CEO.  Elizabeth has been with Human Rights at Sea since 2014, researching, writing and working for raising awareness on the concept of human rights at sea.  Elizabeth is also an early career academic, a part-time visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster, and Refugee Law Initiative, University of London, where she lectures on public international law, international human rights law and international refugee law. Her current research and writing focuses on international refugee law and responsibility sharing.

David Hammond Esq., Chief Executive Officer, Human Rights at Sea

Human Rights at Sea, as an emerging international concept and civil-society platform was first conceived in 2013 and founded on 3 April 2014 by David Hammond. A former military seafarer, veteran Royal Marines’ Officer and Barrister (Counsel), David has practical maritime and legal-related operational experience having served in the North and South Atlantic Oceans, the Mediterranean, the Indian Ocean, Arabian Gulf and South China Seas. He has also worked in challenging environments around the world on behalf of Her Majesty’s Government. David is an advocate for the on-going international development, advocacy and drive for the explicit codification of the concept of ‘human rights at sea’ throughout the maritime environment. He holds a Batchelors in Marine Biology (Liverpool), a Post-Graduate Degree in Law (London), has practised in defence, prosecution, and advisory roles up to senior military and Ministerial level, and is a Member of the Honourable Society of Middle Temple. Currently, he is undertaking a LLM in Public International Law, conserving Barn owl habitats and maintaining a collection of Japanese Maples on the South Coast of England.

Yas Banifatemi, Partner, Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader, Shearman & Sterling

Yas is Shearman & Sterling’s Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader and Public International Law Team Leader. Widely recognized as one of the most prominent international arbitration and public international law specialists worldwide, Yas advises and represents States, State-owned entities and companies on both public international law and international arbitration issues. Yas teaches international arbitration at Harvard Law School, Yale Law School and Panthéon-Sorbonne University.  Renowned for her “stellar work”, she has been repeatedly distinguished by clients and peers as “incredibly impressive” and “an outstanding lawyer in every possible respect”. Yas has been involved in many of Shearman & Sterling’s human rights initiatives, including coordinating work on behalf of the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda (ICTR) and work related to diversity and inclusion issues.

Emmanuel Gaillard, Partner, Global Head of Disputes, Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader, Shearman & Sterling

Emmanuel is Shearman & Sterling’s Global Head of Disputes and Global International Arbitration Practice Group Leader. A Professor of Law in France, he serves as a Visiting Professor of Law at Yale Law School and Harvard Law School. Professor Gaillard established Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration practice. Universally regarded as a leading authority and a number one thought leader in the field of  international arbitration worldwide, he has advised and represented companies, States and State-owned entities in hundreds of international arbitrations. He also acts as arbitrator and expert witness. Professor Gaillard has written extensively on all aspects of arbitration law, including a leading treatise in the field and the first essay on the Legal Theory of International Arbitration.

Alex Marcopoulos, Counsel, International Arbitration, Shearman & Sterling

Alex is Counsel in Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Practice Group. He has practiced in the field of International Arbitration for the past 10 years. Alex has been commended as an “excellent lawyer” and for his “great strategic mind”. He has also been praised for “his expert handling of disputes in the maritime industry”. Alex served as Managing Editor of the Tulane Maritime Law Journal. Alex’s pro bono commitment also includes work for the Office of the Prosecutor for the International Criminal Tribunal for Rwanda, assisting in the prosecution of those accused of participating in the 1994 Rwanda Genocide.

Dr. Elizabeth Mavropoulou, Programme Manager, Human Rights at Sea

Elizabeth is the Programme Manager of Human Rights at Sea overseeing the projects and programmes of the charity with the aim to deliver and fulfil on the organisation’s charitable objectives. She acts as the focal point for external consultants and interns and she is responsible in developing new partnerships, strategically expanding the reach of the charity internationally.  She is also responsible for the day to day administration of the Secretariat alongside the CEO.  Elizabeth has been with Human Rights at Sea since 2014, researching, writing and working for raising awareness on the concept of human rights at sea.  Elizabeth is also an early career academic, a part-time visiting lecturer at the University of Westminster, and Refugee Law Initiative, University of London, where she lectures on public international law, international human rights law and international refugee law. Her current research and writing focuses on international refugee law and responsibility sharing.

Elise Edson, Counsel, International Arbitration, Shearman & Sterling

Elise is a dual Australian/French national and a Counsel in Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Practice Group. In addition to international arbitration, she focuses on climate change and sustainability issues as well as business and human rights, and is active on pro bono matters, including representing refugees in respect of their applications for resettlement. Elise previously interned for the UNHCR in Kathmandu, Nepal, worked at the International Law Commission in Geneva, Switzerland, taught public international law in Australia, and was an associate to a justice of the Federal Court of Australia.

Margaret Ryan, Counsel, International Arbitration, Shearman & Sterling

Margaret Ryan is counsel in the International Arbitration and Public International Law practices.

She represents and advises companies and States in international arbitrations conducted under the auspices of a variety of rules, including the ICC, LCIA, CRCICA, ICSID, SCC and UNCITRAL Rules. Her practice focuses particularly on international investment and energy disputes and matters involving clients and interests in Africa and Europe. Margaret is a member of the firm’s Mining and Metals group, and in 2018 completed a five-month secondment at a major mining company based in London.

Margaret has advised and acted for clients whose claims are funded by third parties. She has also advised third party funders in relation to prospective claims. Margaret also acts as arbitrator.

Who’s Who Legal: Arbitration – Future Leaders 2021, describes Margaret as “a rising star in the field” who “brings great experience and poise” and is “incredibly talented”. A previous edition notes that Margaret is recognized for her “wide and deep understanding of law and procedure” (2019). The Legal 500 UK 2021 notes that she is “a well-regarded counsel” and she is also featured in the The Legal 500 International Arbitration Powerlist UK, which showcases the UK’s leading arbitration practitioners.

Sandrina Antohi, Associate, International Arbitration, Shearman & Sterling

Sandrina is an associate in Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Practice Group. A dual Canadian/Romanian national, Sandrina has acted as counsel and arbitral tribunal secretary in proceedings conducted under a variety of arbitration rules.  She holds an LL.B./B.C.L from McGill University and an LL.M in International Legal Studies from New York University School of Law. Prior to joining Shearman & Sterling, she was an NYU Law Fellow with the United Nations International Law Commission in Geneva.

Marc Jacob, Senior Associate, International Arbitration

Marc Jacob is a senior associate in the International Arbitration and the Public International Law practices.

He is admitted to practice in Germany, England and Wales. Marc specializes in international commercial arbitration, investment treaty arbitration and international law. Marc advises and represents States, State entities, international organizations and private multinational corporations. His experience includes a wide variety of institutional and ad hoc proceedings, including under ICSID, UNCITRAL, ICC, AAA, HKIAC, Swiss Rules, VIAC and DIS rules.

He is listed as a rising star in industry guides such as Euromoney’s LMG Rising Stars (2015-19).

Mariia Tsarova, Associate, International Arbitration, Shearman & Sterling

Mariia is an associate in Shearman & Sterling’s International Arbitration Practice Group. A Ukrainian national, she holds an LL.B and a Master in Law from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv as well as an LL.M in European and International Business Law (Advanced studies) from the University of Leiden. Her practice has focused on investment arbitration matters related to Eastern Europe and CIS States as well as the enforcement of arbitral awards.

Dimitrios Katsikis, Senior Associate, International Arbitration

Dimitrios Katsikis is a senior associate in the International Arbitration practice.

Dimitrios has experience advising and representing companies, State-owned entities and governments in international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, as well as in pre- and post-arbitration negotiations and strategy.

Dimitrios has worked on disputes arising in the power, oil & gas, mining, and shipbuilding industries, as well as disputes relating to mergers & acquisitions. He has advised on arbitrations under major arbitration rules such as ICC, ICSID, LCIA, LMAA, SIAC, UNCITRAL, and CRCICA as well as on arbitration-related litigation before the English, French, Swiss and Indonesian courts.

Alongside his work as counsel, Dimitrios is a member of the Advisory Board of the Young Arbitration Group of CIICA, Pakistan’s first international arbitration organization, as well as being selected for the Reserve Panel of Arbitrators of SIAC.

Dimitrios is qualified in England and Wales and New York, and a foreign registered lawyer with the Paris Bar.

Chloé Vialard, Associate, International Arbitration

Chloé Vialard is an associate in the International Arbitration practice.

Her experience includes international commercial and construction arbitrations conducted under the Rules of the ICC, with a focus on African matters, as well as enforcement and annulment proceedings before French courts.

In September 2018, Chloé Vialard transferred to our team in Singapore after having practiced at our Paris office since 2014.