Alice Adu Gyamfi

Associate — DLA Piper, LLC

Description of field of expertise

Alice Adu Gyamfi focuses her practice on international commercial and investment arbitration and investigations. Alice has represented sovereign states, individuals and multinational companies in arbitrations under leading institutional and ad hoc rules such as the ICC, ICSID, AAA/ICDR and UNCITRAL Rules.  Alice is a dedicated pro bono advocate. Notable representations include advising the South Sudan Ministry of Justice on implementing transitional justice processes and drafting the implementing legislation for its Commission on Truth, Reconciliation and Healing.

Alice earned her J.D. from Penn State Law with concentrations in International Arbitration and Foreign and Comparative Law. In law school, she won first place during the Willem C. Vis Commercial Arbitration Moot Court Competition in Vienna, Austria, and the distinguished Martin Domke Award for Best Oralist. Alice earned her LL.M. from Columbia Law School, with honors as a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a Salzburg Cutler Global Fellow.

What advice would you offer to new attorneys interested in your field?

First, get creative about where to practice. While it is common to go into a law firm after law school, think about pursuing an opportunity as a tribunal secretary (liken this to a clerkship – but for an arbitrator) or work at an arbitral institution. Both of these will give you first-hand, invaluable insight into how arbitrators evaluate cases and help you master the procedural aspect of arbitration. Second, find a sponsor. A sponsor goes further than a mentor. This is someone who is so invested in your development that they will teach you substantive skills, pick up the phone to recommend you for a position, and otherwise mention your name in corridors of opportunity. When you find that sponsor – be diligent, teachable, and help contribute to their practice as well.

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