THE AUTHORS:
Nada Hesham Hasham, Senior Associate in Dispute Resolution at Shalakany Law Office
Lobna Kassem, Senior Associate in Dispute Resolution at Al Tamimi and Company
The launch of the Egyptian Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (“EGVYAP”) marked an important step in strengthening the future of arbitration practice in Egypt, introducing a structured platform designed to support and connect young practitioners at the early stages of their careers. As part of the global Very Young Arbitration Practitioners (“VYAP”) network, EGVYAP seeks to bridge the gap between academic training and practical exposure in arbitration through a focused and collaborative framework.
The inaugural event was hosted at Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy in Cairo and brought together a full room of young practitioners, arbitration professionals, and members of the legal community. The strong turnout reflected a clear demand for initiatives that go beyond informal networking and instead offer structured pathways for mentorship, development, and engagement in arbitration practice.
From the outset, the launch was positioned as more than an introduction of a new initiative. It was framed as the beginning of a long-term platform responding to a consistent challenge in the field.
A Cross-Border Founding Team
EGVYAP was founded by a group of young arbitration practitioners based across Cairo, London, and Paris, reflecting its international outlook and ambition.
The founding team includes:
In Cairo: Nada Hesham Hashem (Senior Associate – Shalakany), Aly Eissa (Independent Practitioner), Maha Zain (Senior Associate – Matouk Bassiouny), and Lobna Kassem (Senior Associate – Al Tamimi & Company).
In London: Salma Selim (Associate – White & Case LLP) and Abdallah Hosny (Junior Counsel – LCIA (London Court of International Arbitration)).
In Paris: Laïla El Hakim (Senior Associate – Quinn Emanuel), Mohamed Gamal (Associate – Gide), Patricia Khoury (Associate – Gide), and Zyad Loutfi (Associate – Darrois Villey Maillot Brochier).
At the Cairo launch, founders present included Aly Eissa, Lobna Kassem, Maha Zain, Nada Hesham Hashem, and Zyad Loutfi, and, representing the initiative in its first public introduction to the arbitration community.
Opening and Vision of the Initiative
The event opened with remarks introducing EGVYAP’s vision and objectives. The opening highlighted the need to create structured access points for young arbitration practitioners, particularly in a field where opportunities are often fragmented and dependent on informal networks.
A central theme throughout the discussion was the importance of creating a platform that supports education, mentorship, and professional opportunity in a meaningful and sustainable way. EGVYAP was introduced as a long-term initiative designed to foster engagement, visibility, and practical development for young practitioners navigating the arbitration field.
The initiative is built around three pillars: education, mentorship, and opportunity. These pillars are intended to guide its programming and ensure a consistent focus on practical development rather than symbolic engagement.
Guest Speaker Contributions
The event featured contributions from guest speakers Dr. Amr Abbas, Dr. Dalia Hussein, and Mr. Tarek F. Riad, whose participation reflected strong support from senior members of the arbitration community.
Each speaker shared insights from their professional experience, emphasizing the importance of early exposure, discipline, and consistency in building a career in arbitration. They also reflected on the evolution of the field, noting that while arbitration has expanded significantly, it has also become increasingly competitive and demanding for young practitioners.
Their remarks highlighted the importance of structured guidance and mentorship in helping young lawyers transition from academic learning to practical readiness. This reinforced the relevance of initiatives like EGVYAP in supporting the next generation of practitioners.
A Platform for Long-Term Engagement
Beyond its launch, EGVYAP is designed as a long-term platform focused on continuous engagement. Its planned activities include panel discussions, workshops, training sessions, and mentorship initiatives aimed at strengthening both technical knowledge and practical exposure.
A key focus of the initiative is also visibility and contribution. Through publishing opportunities and partnerships, EGVYAP aims to enable young practitioners to actively participate in arbitration discourse and build their professional presence early in their careers.
The initiative also seeks to establish relationships with arbitration institutions, law firms, and academic partners to ensure exposure to both local and international perspectives in a structured manner.
Gratitude and Closing
The success of the launch reflects a collective effort. Special appreciation is extended to Matouk Bassiouny & Hennawy for hosting the event and supporting the initiative at its inception.
Sincere thanks are also extended to the guest speakers for their valuable insights, as well as to all attendees whose participation contributed to the strong energy and success of the event.
The presence of founders in Cairo further reflected the collaborative nature of the initiative and its cross-border identity.
Looking Ahead
The launch of EGVYAP represents the beginning of a long-term journey rather than a final milestone. The initiative is designed to grow through continuous programming, partnerships, and engagement with both local and international arbitration communities.
ABOUT THE AUTHORS
Nada Hesham Hasham is a Senior Associate in the Dispute Resolution Department at Shalakany Law Office, specializing in international arbitration and cross-border litigation. She acts in high-value disputes across commercial, investment, construction, hospitality, insurance, aviation, intellectual property (IP), and antitrust matters. She has experience in proceedings under ICC, LCIA, PCA, CRCICA, UNCITRAL, and DIFC-related fora, as well as before Egyptian courts. Her practice includes multi-jurisdictional matters involving Egyptian, UAE, Kuwaiti, Omani, French, and Swiss law. She holds a Master II in Private International Law and International Business Law from Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and an LL.B. from Cairo University.
Lobna Kassem is an international dispute resolution and arbitration practitioner admitted to the Egyptian Bar with several years of legal experience. She currently serves as a Senior Associate in Dispute Resolution at Al Tamimi and Company in Cairo. Her practice focuses on commercial disputes involving interests in the Middle East and Africa under various arbitral rules. She also has experience in cross-jurisdictional litigation and enforcement of arbitral awards. She holds a Master II in Private International Law and International Business Law from Université Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne and an LL.B. from Cairo University.
*The views and opinions expressed by authors are theirs and do not necessarily reflect those of their organizations, employers, or Daily Jus, Jus Mundi, or Jus Connect.
