the current director) by sending us selected US cases and precedents for comparative illustration. He had a great sense of justice and was always thinking of innovative ways to help those in need. Third, having had to build my law and arbitration practice from scratch, I can relate to the courage and determination that it took for Charlotte E Ray, the first African American female attorney and first female admitted to the District of Columbia Bar, to open her law practice in Washington DC at that time. Fourth, emeritus Professor Barthélemy Mercadal, who has been and is still a great source of inspiration. Finally, The Honourable Marcel Serekoïsse-Samba, former Chief Justice of the Common Court of Justice and Arbitration, the highest Court of the Organisation for the Harmonisation of Business Law in Africa (OHADA), to whom I was privileged to be the Technical Advisor. I have learned from him to think carefully before judging, and that is a rule of thumb I live by each time I seat as arbitrator. What does this award mean to you? It is a very special honour to me to win the Finance Monthly Award of Arbitration Lawyer of the Year 2022 - France. I am incredibly thankful to all the participants in the process leading to this prestigious award because you do not achieve success independently. It speaks volume to me that success starts with the trust – of your clients when acting as lawyer, and of the peers, arbitration centres and parties that choose to entrust you with their cases by appointing you as arbitrator. It also comes from the recognition of your peers and the arbitration community. I would never have received this award on my own and without the support of my peers, clients and mentors. This prestigious award, that means a great deal to me, is also a way to express my gratitude to all those who helped me get where I am at today. I feel indebted to all of them and committed to continue achieving excellence without compromise. I also feel energised to give back what has been so generously given me in terms of mentoring and to surround myself with people who are smarter than me. Finance Monthly Legal Awards 2022 France 21 www.finance-monthly.com
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy Mjk3Mzkz