Debevoise & Plimpton LLP counsel Floriane Lavaud has been appointed to the USA Sub-Committee of the Equal Representation in Arbitration Pledge (ERA Pledge). The Sub-Committee will help promote the ERA Pledge in the United States, focusing on increasing awareness and driving change in the appointment of female arbitrators, female practitioners as lead counsel and the advancement of female in-house counsel. For more information, please see the ERA’s announcement.

The USA Sub-Committee members will work closely with the international arbitration community and other groups to understand the needs and challenges that diverse arbitrators face in getting appointments, diverse arbitration practitioners face coming up through the ranks at law firms, and diverse in-house arbitration counsel face in advancing within their organizations, with the ultimate goal of full gender parity.

“It is an honor and a privilege to help promote the Arbitration Pledge in the U.S. I look forward to working with the leadership team and sub-committee members to improve the profile and representation of women in arbitration,” said Ms. Lavaud.

Ms. Lavaud is a member of the firm's International Dispute Resolution Group in New York and Paris. Her practice focuses on public international law and international arbitration, in particular in the Middle East. She is admitted to the New York and Paris Bars, in addition to being a solicitor in England & Wales. Ms. Lavaud currently serves as the Co-Chair of the International Arbitration Committee of the American Branch of the International Law Association (ABILA).