Zahid Omarzai, Executive Director of the Afghanistan Center for Dispute Resolution, is an Afghan attorney who relocated to the U.S. in 2023 to pursue an LLM at the University of Pittsburgh School of Law. He shares his background that led him to leave Afghanistan and describes his work in enhancing Afghanistan's arbitration system. He shares his experiences competing in moot court competitions, working with various legal and consulting firms in the U.S., and his reflections on cultural differences in dispute resolution. Zahid emphasizes the importance of understanding Afghan culture and encourages listeners to learn more about Afghanistan. The discussion also touches on the significance of taking care of one's soul and the personal growth Zahid experienced through his journey.

STORY

00:00 Soundcheck

00:50 Greetings

01:41 Zahid's Journey to the US

02:05 Moot Court Competition

02:40 Legal Background and Education

03:43 Challenges and Opportunities in Afghanistan

05:55 Establishing Arbitration in Afghanistan

12:26 Professional Life in the US

13:29 Cultural Perspectives on Dispute Resolution

24:13 Personal Interests and Hobbies

28:35 Final Thoughts

BIOGRAPHY

Zahid Omarzai is the Executive Director of the Afghanistan Center for Commercial Dispute Resolution (ACDR) and a licensed attorney dedicated to strengthening arbitration and alternative dispute resolution in Afghanistan. With a background in corporate and commercial law, he brings extensive experience in financial transactions, legal reform, and practical dispute-resolution strategies. A passionate advocate for legal education, Zahid has published on arbitration in Afghanistan, represented his country in the prestigious Vis Moot, and continues to mentor future practitioners as Afghanistan’s Vis Moot Country Manager.

LINKS

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/zahid-omarzai-aa80a03a/

Interview from Kakar Advocates: https://kakaradvocates.com/content/Spotlights/interview-with-zahid-omarzai-executive-director-of-the-afghanistan-center-for-dispute-resolution

Anna D. Aviles-Alfaro discusses her career journey which started as a mom right out of high school finding herself working as a legal secretary for a world-renowned international arbitration arbitrator. The support of those around her encouraged her to get her college degree and pursue a rewarding career as a paralegal first starting at the World Bank's ICSID institution and later in the private sector. Anna also shares her tips on work-life balance and how legal teams can work best with each other.

*Anna was working at Dechert LLP at the time of this recording.

HIGHLIGHTS:

00:30 Introduction and Background

01:50 Early Career at Pan Am

03:59 Starting as a Legal Secretary

05:23 Transition to Larger Law Firms

07:44 Back to a Path towards Higher Education

10:11 Balancing Work and Education

21:55 Working at ICSID at The World Bank

31:16 Career Advice for Aspiring Legal Professionals

36:28 Managing Stress and Work-Life Balance

40:58 Advice for New Paralegals

BIOGRAPHY:

Anna D. Aviles-Alfaro, Lead Arbitration Paralegal at Womble Bond Dickinson (US) LLP

Anna started as a legal secretary and found herself into the world of International Arbitration. She later transitioned as a paralegal at the World Bank's International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) which is an institution for International Investment Arbitration Disputes. After a few years, she transitioned to the private sector where she is currently a leader in the paralegal sector for international disputes.

LINKS:

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/annaavilesalfaro/

Kiran Gore, a distinguished international arbitration counsel and arbitrator with a versatile background. Kiran shares her unique journey from fashion design to law, detailing how her interest in trademarks and intellectual property in the fashion industry led her to pursue a career in law. She got her start working at Michael Kors pursuing her passion for fashion. She discusses her experiences in big law firms, including DLA Piper and Three Crowns, transitioning to solo practice, and the challenges and rewards of balancing a dynamic career with family life. Kiran also emphasizes the importance of networking, continuous learning, and adapting to technological advancements. We highlight her extensive contributions, varied roles, and mentoring work with students at George Washington University.Kiran Gore, a distinguished international arbitration counsel and arbitrator, shares her remarkable journey from fashion design to the world of law. Discover how her early passion for fashion and intellectual property at Michael Kors sparked a career in trademarks and legal strategy. Kiran walks us through her experiences at major law firms like DLA Piper and Three Crowns, her transition to solo practice, and the challenges—and rewards—of balancing a dynamic career with family life. Along the way, she reflects on the power of networking, lifelong learning, and staying ahead in a rapidly evolving legal landscape. Plus, we dive into her mentoring work with students at George Washington University and her contributions to shaping the next generation of legal professionals.

STORY

00:00 Sound check

01:00 Early Career

02:15 Transition to Law

05:51 Challenges and Opportunities in Big Law

13:47 Starting a Solo Practice

18:04 Fashion and Arbitration

20:25 Meeting the Students

20:55 The GW Community and Public Service

21:44 Career Advice for Aspiring Lawyers

31:00 The Importance of Networking

32:50 Technology in Legal Practice

38:55 Women in International Arbitration

41:26 Relaxation

41:58 Final Thoughts

BIOGRAPHY

Kiran Nasir Gore is an arbitrator, dispute resolution consultant, and counsel with nearly fifteen years of experience advising governments, corporations, institutions, and individuals on public and private international law, international development, foreign investment strategies, international dispute resolution, and legal investigation and compliance efforts. Ms. Gore advocates before U.S. courts, ad hoc arbitration panels, commercial and investment tribunals, and investigative authorities. She specializes in high value bet-the-company disputes and brings a practical and business-oriented perspective to the table. Ms. Gore also supports clients with strategic advice on international investments, international treaty law, conflict of laws, and legislative reform. She developed her legal acumen and advocacy skills at large and small law firms in New York and Washington, DC, and recently launched her independent law practice.

LINKS

GW University Law School Profile: https://www.law.gwu.edu/kiran-n-gore

Kluwer Arbitration Blog: https://legalblogs.wolterskluwer.com/arbitration-blog/author/kiran-nasir-gore/

Substack: https://knglaw.substack.com

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kiran-n-gore/