IBA announces David W Rivkin as new president

The International Bar Association (IBA) has announced David W Rivkin as its new president.

Rivkin, a litigation partner in the New York and London offices of Debevoise & Plimpton, has been ranked as one of the world's top international dispute resolution practitioners.

The co-chair of the firm's International Dispute Resolution Group, Rivkin said it was an honour to be elevated to the IBA presidency, the first US lawyer to hold the position for a quarter of a century.

"I have seen how much [the IBA] can accomplish by bringing together the experience and expertise of the global legal profession. In so many areas of business law and public service, the IBA is a part of the daily dialogue of those active in the field," commented Rivkin.

Rivkin explained that his primary objectives during his term as president was to expand upon the organisations work in promoting the rule of law and human rights.

"I have begun a new IBA Judicial Integrity Initiative, which will work to combat judicial corruption where it exists," he added. "Together with the IBA's committees and working groups I plan to continue the work of my predecessor to achieve the implementation of recommendations in the recently issued report of the President's Task Force on Climate Change Justice and Human Rights."

The US lawyer also plans to continue the work of the President's Task Force on Human Trafficking: "I will create a new task force to focus on the many current and unwise challenges to the independence of the legal profession. These combined projects will bring me into contact with members of the legal profession across all continents. I am very much looking forward to the next 24 months!" he enthused.

Rivkin has a broad experience in the areas of international litigation and arbitration and has handled international arbitrations around the world. These disputes have included long-term energy concessions, investment treaties, joint venture agreements, insurance coverage, construction contracts, distribution agreements and intellectual property.

In addition, he has also represented companies in transnational litigation in the US, including the enforcement of arbitral awards and arbitration agreements. Moreover, he has held leadership positions at the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), the Arbitration Institute of the Stockholm Chamber of Commerce (SCC), the Singapore International Arbitration Centre (SIAC) the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS).

Rivkin's tenure as president of the IBA is for two calendar years and will conclude on 31 December 2016. He succeeds Michael J Reynolds of Allen & Overy who held the position from 2013-2014.

"I feel fortunate that my term as president coincides with the 800th anniversary of the Magna Carta," he added. "The principles declared in that document remain the essence of the rule of law, and throughout 2015 the IBA will mark the anniversary by focusing on important rule of law issues with conferences in London, Cape Town, Delhi and Buenos Aires."

John van der Luit-Drummond is legal reporter for Solicitors Journal