Viren has been ranked by the leading directories in the field of international arbitration and public international law. Recognition of his expertise and achievements include:
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Chambers USA and Chambers Global: International Arbitration, 2020 to present. The feedback from Chambers and client testimonials include: “Sources regard him as ‘bright, capable and a really strong advocate;’” “he is someone who has a deep understanding of investment treaty arbitration and has vast experience in the field;” and Viren is “a lawyer you want in your corner.”
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Legal 500: International Arbitration, 2018 to 2024 (“he stands out for his additional specialization in public international law and human rights”)
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Lexology Index: Thought Leader in the categories of Arbitration, Mining and Energy, 2017 to present
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2024 Lexology Awards: North America 2024, Litigation and Arbitration Award
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2024 Lexology Client Choice Awards, Arbitration & ADR, United States: New York
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The Best Lawyers in America: International Arbitration - Commercial, 2024
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Lawdragon 500 Leading Global Litigators, 2021 (inaugural list), 2023, 2024
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National South Asian Bar Association: Rising Star, 2019
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National LGBT Bar Association: Rising Star, 2019
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Euromoney Legal Media Awards: Rising Star in international commercial arbitration, 2019
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Latinvex (Rising star for disputes in Latin America), 2019
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Crain's New York Business: 40 under 40 List, 2019
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American Bar Association: Finalist for National Most Outstanding Young Lawyer, 2016
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Law360: Rising Star in Energy, 2015
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New York Law Journal: Rising Star, 2014
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Admitted to the Bar in New York (2006 to present)
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Columbia Law School, Lecturer-in-Law, 2009 to present (currently teaching an upper-level seminar on international commercial arbitration)
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Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), 2020
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CPR Institute, Arbitration Committee (Chair, 2023 to present; Vice-Chair, 2020 to 2023)
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CPR Institute, Distinguished Panel of Neutrals (2022 to present)
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American Arbitration Association/International Centre for Dispute Resolution, Panel of Arbitrators (2021 to present)
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New York City Bar Association, Member
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American Bar Association, Member
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International Bar Association, Member
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University of London, Master of Laws Degree (LLM) with Distinction, 2009
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Columbia Law School, Juris Doctor Degree (JD), 2005. James Kent Scholar (top 1-3% of class); Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar (top 33% of class); and Parker Certificate for Achievement in Foreign and International Laws
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University of Richmond, Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA), summa cum laude and Phi Beta Kappa, 2002
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London School of Economics, General Course Diploma, Economics, 2021. Specialization: International Dispute Resolution
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Riva Gjecaj is a lawyer specializing in international arbitration, public international law, and international criminal law. She is fluent in English, Spanish, Italian, and Albanian.
International Arbitration:
Riva served as a Spanish-language International Arbitration Trainee with the Guatemala office of ECIJA, an Ibero-American law firm (2024). In this role, she assisted with legal research and submissions in domestic and international commercial arbitration proceedings, including disputes in the pharmaceutical sector. Riva has completed the Columbia–CIArbNY Comprehensive Course on International Arbitration and the NOVA Lisbon Summer School on International Arbitration.
International Criminal Litigation:
Riva has worked for the past five years as part of the Defence before the Kosovo Specialist Chambers, an international criminal tribunal based in The Hague (2021- 2026). She has been involved in the Thaci et al. case, a complex prosecution concerning war crimes and crimes against humanity, involving more than 200 witnesses over a two-year trial. As a Legal Associate for the Defence, Riva has been responsible for drafting preliminary jurisdictional challenges, pre- and post-trial briefs, and preparing cross-examination plans for Counsel.
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Institute for International Legal and Advocacy Training – Oral Advocacy Certificate (2024)
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Admitted to the Albanian Bar (since 2023)
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Rapporteur for the Oxford Public International Law Database OXIO (since 2023)
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University College London, LL.M. in International Banking and Financial Law (2020); Full-ride merit-based scholarship
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The Hague University of Applied Sciences, LL.B. in International and European Law (cum laude, 2019); World Citizen Talent Scholarship; Top 10 Oralist, John H. Jackson WTO Law Moot Court
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The Hague University of Applied Sciences, B.Sc. in Finance and Control (2019)
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