Transnational Arbitration

#YoungITATalks Africa

Digital Disputes: Arbitration in the Era of Cryptocurrency & Crowdfunding in Africa

Live Webinar

Registration Open

Details for connecting to the online event will be sent after you register. If you registered but did not receive a link to participate in the webinar, please email Alliyah Robinson.

Nairobi: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm / Paris: 8:00 am to 10:00 am

Registrar: +1.972.244.3403
ITA: +1.972.244.3414
E-Mail: ita@cailaw.org

Overview

Presented by Young ITA

Please join us for a morning of discussion and debate. The event is aimed at more junior practitioners, but all are welcome to attend. We hope that you will be able to join us for what we are sure will be a very lively and enjoyable program.

Digital Disputes: Arbitration in the Era of Cryptocurrency & Crowdfunding in Africa is a thought-provoking virtual panel discussion scheduled for Tuesday, February 18, 2025. This two-hour event, co-hosted by Dr. Paul Kimani and Ms. Dhouha Oueslati, Young ITA Africa Co-Chairs, brings together leading experts in arbitration, cryptocurrency, and crowdfunding to address the unique challenges and opportunities presented by these emerging fields. The session will explore the intersection of arbitration and digital disputes, focusing on jurisdictional complexities, regulatory gaps, enforcement hurdles, and innovative mechanisms tailored to address disputes involving digital assets and decentralized platforms. Attendees will gain actionable insights into the evolving landscape of dispute resolution in Africa's digital economy.

Nairobi: 10:00 am to 12:00 pm / Paris: 8:00 am to 10:00 am

#YoungITATalks is a series of local events presented around the world, featuring talks, workshops or interviews that cover a wide range of subjects relating to arbitration. The #YoungITATalks series is designed for education, conversation and sharing knowledge and experiences among young practitioners.

This event is presented tuition-free, but requires registration.

Schedule and Speakers

9 – 9:05 am - Login


9:05 – 9:15 am - Welcome

  • Ms. Dhouha Oueslati, Young ITA Africa Co-Chair; Lawyer, AD-FIDAL Tunisia

9:15 - 10 am -  Panel Discussion: Part 1

This session will delve into the complex legal and procedural challenges inherent in resolving disputes related to cryptocurrency and crowdfunding. The discussion will provide a platform for the panelists—experts in arbitration, digital assets, and fintech law—to share their insights and perspectives on these pressing issues.

ModeratorDr. Paul Kimani, Young ITA Africa Co-Chair; Lawyer, Paul Andrew Advocates, Nairobi, Kenya

Panelists:

  • Mr. Mohamed Adem Mokrani, Lawyer, Attorney at law, Independent Consultant, Tunisia
  • Mr. IfeOluwa Alabi, Lawyer, Associate, Hogan Lovells, London
  • Mr. William Kirtley, Lawyer, Managing Partner, Aceris Law
  • Mr. Alexis Foucard, Lawyer, Counsel, Clifford Chance; Young ITA Western Europe Co-Chair.
  • Ms. Aija Lejniece, Lawyer, Attorney at law, New York, Paris
  • Mr. Falco Kreis, Senior Investment Manager | Head of Munich Office, Nivalion

10 - 10:30 am -  Panel Discussion: Part 2

This session will feature an interactive discussion among the panelists, guided by thought-provoking questions from the moderator. The discussion will delve into opportunities and cutting-edge innovations in addressing disputes arising in the dynamic fields of cryptocurrency and crowdfunding.

ModeratorMs. Dhouha Oueslati

Panelists:

  • Mr. Mohamed Adem Mokrani, Lawyer, Attorney at law, Independent Consultant, Tunisia
  • Mr. IfeOluwa Alabi, Lawyer, Associate, Hogan Lovells, London
  • Mr. William Kirtley, Lawyer, Managing Partner, Aceris Law
  • Mr. Alexis Foucard, Lawyer, Counsel, Clifford Chance; Young ITA Western Europe Co-Chair.
  • Ms. Aija Lejniece, Lawyer, Attorney at law, New York, Paris
  • Mr. Falco Kreis, Senior Investment Manager | Head of Munich Office, Nivalion

10:30 – 10:50 am - Audience Q&A

Participants are invited to ask questions. Moderator ensures a dynamic and engaging exchange between the audience and panelists.

ModeratorsMs. Dhouha Oueslati and Dr. Paul Kimani


10:50 – 11 am - Closing Remarks

  • Summary of the key takeaways by the moderator.
  • Acknowledgment of panelists, participants, and sponsors (if applicable).
  • Announcement of upcoming events or initiatives (if any).
Moderator: Dr. Paul Kimani

Speakers

Ms. Dhouha Oueslati
Young ITA Africa Co-Chair
Lawyer, AD-FIDAL

Dhouha Oueslati serves as the Young ITA Africa Co-Chair. She is a Tunisian lawyer with AD-FIDAL Tunisia. She holds a master's degree in private law from the University of Law and Political Sciences of Tunis and is currently pursuing a second master's degree in sports law. Dhouha was selected as an Africa Arbitration Academy Fellow, becoming the first Tunisian to gain acceptance into this prestigious program. She has also contributed her expertise as an arbitrator at the Arabic Moot Competition, organized by the Saudi Center for Commercial Arbitration.

Dr. Paul Kimani
Young ITA Africa Co-Chair
Partner, Paul Andrew Advocates

Paul Kimani serves as the Young ITA Africa Co-Chair. He is the Managing Partner of Paul Andrew Advocates, a Nairobi-based law firm specializing in international corporate law, with a strong focus on international arbitration. Paul is authorized to practice at the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC) Courts. He has been honored as the Best Specialist Renewable Energy Lawyer 2024, and his firm, Paul Andrew Advocates, was recognized as the International Corporate Law Firm of the Year at the African Excellence Awards 2024. Paul has also written several articles and papers on a variety of legal topics published in leading journals. Paul holds a PhD in Law from the University of Exeter, an LL.M. from University College London, and an LL.B. from the University of Nairobi.

Mr. Adam Mokrani
Attorney-at-Law & Independent Consultant

Adam Mokrani is an accomplished Attorney at Law and Independent Consultant who supports a number of startups in Tunisia, Algeria, and France. He has developed strong expertise in data protection, cybersecurity, and intellectual property, providing strategic legal guidance to businesses and organizations operating in these areas. Specializing in alternative finance, fintech, and international arbitration, Adam has a particular interest in crowdfunding. He serves as the legal advisor to Tunisia's first crowdfunding platform, Kickoff.tn, as well as the legal counsel for Cha9a9a.tn, a nonprofit donation-based platform. Adam also collaborates with technical partners across North Africa to advance financial inclusion and foster the development of startup ecosystems. In the field of international arbitration, Adam is highly active and was selected as a YAAF Representative by the International Chamber of Commerce for the African Chapter, covering Tunisia and Algeria. His work focuses on promoting innovative solutions in dispute resolution and enhancing the role of arbitration across the African continent. Adam's strong interest in Africa is further reflected in his academic background, having earned a master's degree in African Legal Studies from Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne University in France. He combines his legal expertise with a commitment to fostering sustainable financial ecosystems and driving impactful solutions at the intersection of law, innovation, and development.

Mr. IfeOluwa Alabi
Associate, Hogan Lovells International LLP

IfeOluwa Alabi is an Associate at Hogan Lovells and a member of the firm’s global Africa practice in London. Admitted to practice in Nigeria, England, and Wales, IfeOluwa represents clients in high-value commercial disputes and provides advisory services on complex issues across various sectors and jurisdictions. With particular expertise in Africa-related disputes and risk management in emerging markets, he has a strong track record of navigating complex cross-border challenges. He has experience in matters before the English courts and in arbitration disputes under a variety of rules including UNCITRAL, ICC and the LCIA Rules. Before joining Hogan Lovells, IfeOluwa practiced as an attorney at a boutique international arbitration firm in London and worked at a leading commercial litigation law firm in Nigeria, gaining extensive experience in both international and domestic dispute resolution.

Mr. William Kirtley
Managing Partner, Aceris Law

William Kirtley, Managing Partner of Aceris Law, is a highly accomplished international arbitration lawyer with over two decades of experience specializing in international commercial, investor-State, and construction arbitration. A Franco-American educated at Harvard, Columbia, and the Sorbonne, he has served as counsel or arbitrator in over 200 cases, including some of the largest international arbitrations in history, across five continents and under numerous arbitration rules such as ICC, ICSID, UNCITRAL, and SIAC. Admitted to the New York and Washington, D.C. Bars and a former French Avocat à la Cour, he is recognized for his deep knowledge of international arbitration, public international law, and ADR. Previously with Shearman & Sterling LLP and Dentons, William has worked at the UN Tribunal for Rwanda, authored numerous academic articles, taught at leading universities, and served as an expert for the World Bank. Highly praised by clients and ranked by Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and others, he is noted for his exceptional intellect, commitment, and strategic expertise in international dispute resolution.

Mr. Alexis Foucard
Counsel, Clifford Chance LLP, Paris, France
Young ITA Western Europe Co-Chair

Alexis Foucard is Counsel at Clifford Chance LLP in Paris, France, and also serves as the. With extensive experience in international commercial arbitration, investment arbitration, and litigation, Alexis is also a frequent lecturer and author on international dispute resolution. Before joining Clifford Chance, he practiced at a leading American business litigation firm. His practice spans diverse industries, including energy, construction, aviation, telecommunications, and mining. He also serves as Clifford Chance's co-Africa Practice Leader for Litigation. Recognized by Best Lawyers and Who’s Who Legal as a rising star, Alexis holds law degrees from Paris I Panthéon-Sorbonne / Sciences Po, and Columbia Law School (LL.M.), and is a member of the New York and Paris Bars.

Ms. Aija Lejniece
Lawyer, Attorney at law, New York, Paris

Aija Lejniece is a Latvian-born attorney based in Paris, educated at Harvard Law School, and a member of both the New York Bar and the Barreau de Paris. Specializing in cross-border disputes and international arbitration, she brings over a decade of experience from leading international law firms, including White & Case LLP, Shearman & Sterling LLP, Cleary Gottlieb Steen & Hamilton LLP, and Latham & Watkins LLP. In 2021, she established herself as an independent practitioner. Aija has advised clients across diverse sectors, including energy, finance, construction, pharmaceuticals, and cryptocurrency, and has a strong focus on integrating AI into legal strategies, backed by executive training from Oxford Saïd Business School. Fluent in English, Latvian, Russian, and French, with a professional grasp of Spanish, she also accepts appointments as arbitrator, is a Member of the Permanent Court of Arbitration to which she was nominated by the Republic of Latvia, and features on the Hong Kong International Arbitration Center List of Arbitrators. She is passionate about feminism, tech, and literature.

Mr. Falco Kreis
Senior Investment Manager | Head of Munich Office
Nivalion

Falco Kreis is Senior Investment Manager who heads Nivalion's Munich office as well as Nivalion's funding activities in Asia and the Middle East. Before joining Nivalion, he worked at the international law firm CMS where he gained experience as counsel in international arbitration and state court proceedings, as tribunal secretary, and as arbitrator. During this time, Falco advised and represented clients in a wide array of disputes, especially in the automotive, healthcare, IT, and telecommunications sectors.

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