Events

This virtual discussion will focus on opportunities for international pro bono work, how to build an international pro bono practice, and the specific skills needed to be an effective international advocate. The event will be followed by a networking session where attendees will have the opportunity to interact directly with the speakers and have the chance to learn about applying for summer associate and associate positions at Three Crowns. Please see the speakers’ bios below.

• Nicola Peart: Nicola is a senior associate in the Washington, DC office of Three Crowns LLP. Her experience includes international commercial and investment treaty arbitration, as well as arbitration under the UN Convention on the Law of the Sea and proceedings before the International Court of Justice. Nicola has a broad and active pro bono practice. She is currently advising an independence movement on alleged human rights violations and the right to self-determination as an independent state. She also provides legal support to developing country negotiators and NGOs attending the international climate change treaty negotiations. Her prior pro bono work has involved representing the Republic of Vanuatu before the International Court of Justice in proceedings concerning the Legal Consequences of the Separation of the Chagos Islands from Mauritius in 1965 and appearing as counsel before the UK Supreme Court on behalf of the ICC International Court of Arbitration in the widely reported Halliburton Company v Chubb Bermuda Insurance Ltd case. In addition, Nicola is a member of the International Bar Association’s under-40 arbitration sub-committee, the ICCA Task Force on Gender Diversity in International Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings, and the Campaign for Greener Arbitration’s Steering Committee. She is recognised for International Arbitration in The Legal 500 US for 2021 and is listed in Who’s Who Legal (Arbitration Future Leaders) 2022. Prior to joining Three Crowns, Nicola worked as Assistant Legal Counsel at the Permanent Court of Arbitration. Nicola holds degrees from the University of Cambridge (MA), Imperial College, London (MSc), and University College, London (LLM). She is admitted to practise as a barrister in England & Wales.

• Kimberly Larkin: Kimberly is an associate in the Washington, DC office. She represents clients in international disputes under a variety of arbitral rules across numerous sectors, including the technology, renewable energy, mining and natural resources, infrastructure, and financial services industries. Kimberly maintains an active pro bono practice focused on human rights advocacy before U.S. courts and administrative agencies. She is currently representing the Main Indian Tribal-State Commission in proceedings before the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the water rights of an American Indian tribe and is advising several Syrian refugees seeking refugee status in the United States. Her prior pro bono work has involved representing an anti-FGM organization in proceedings in Indian, Kenyan, UK, and U.S. federal courts; advising the Catalan separatist movement about their rights under international law; and designing accountability mechanisms for atrocities committed by Iraqi ISIS fighters. Kimberly is a recommended lawyer in The Legal 500 US 2021 and was recently named a “Rising ADR Star” by the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution. She regularly presents at conferences and leading U.S. law schools on pertinent issues in the field. Kimberly has prior experience at the Office of the Legal Adviser of the U.S. State Department and at the Public International Law & Policy Group. She received her JD from Stanford Law School. She also holds an MA degree (applied ethics) avec grande distinction from the Université Libre de Bruxelles, and a BA degree (history, literature, and law), magna cum laude, Phi Beta Kappa, from Davidson College. She speaks English and French.

Please reach out to Olivia Lu ([email protected]) for the Zoom link for this event.