Malviina Linninen is a Senior Associate at Borenius Attorneys and Vice President of the International Arbitration Commission of AIJA, a global association that connects lawyers and in-house counsel across jurisdictions and practice areas. Through its events, publications, and commissions, AIJA provides a platform for young legal professionals to network, share knowledge, and develop practical skills in cross-border work.
In this edition of FAI Insights, Malviina shares her perspective on the work of the Commission, the role of practitioner-led networks in international arbitration, and its current priorities. We also briefly look ahead to AIJA’s annual conference in Helsinki this June.
You have served as Vice President of AIJA’s International Arbitration Commission since 2024. Could you briefly tell us about the Commission and what your role involves?
The International Arbitration Commission is one of AIJA’s 18 practice-focused commissions, bringing together arbitration practitioners aged 45 and under from around the world. The Commission organises various events, such as seminars and webinars, as well as academic sessions at AIJA’s Annual Congress and Half-Year Conferences. In addition, the Commission produces a newsletter featuring news and publications from its members on current issues in international arbitration and provides a platform for its members to stay connected between events.
As Vice President, I work alongside our Presidents, Nadia Ohlhoff-Smahi and Jacopo Piemonte and my Co-Vice President Catherine Penny, to shape the Commission’s programme, coordinate events, and ensure we are addressing topics that matter to our members in their day-to-day practice. This includes everything from planning seminar formats and topics and selecting speakers for events, to staying connected with our members and implementing their initiatives. It is a collaborative role focused on creating opportunities for knowledge-sharing and professional development within the arbitration community.
What is the Commission currently focusing on, and what kinds of issues or initiatives are on its agenda?
First, we are working to ensure that our Commission’s events take place in new locations, making them accessible to as many participants as possible, including those new to AIJA. For example, in 2027, our Commission will organise its annual conference in Marrakesh, Morocco.
Second, our agenda includes actively organising online events throughout the year to offer our members a low-threshold opportunity to stay connected and gain visibility and expertise between in-person events. For example, last year our Commission organised three webinars in addition to its in-person events.
Finally, our agenda includes promoting inclusion and initiatives from new members. In our Commission, you do not need to wait until you are an experienced participant in AIJA before getting involved – for example, by organising or speaking at a seminar or a webinar. We are always open to new ideas and initiatives and are very keen to implement them into practice.
How does involvement in organisations like AIJA support practitioners, particularly those at earlier stages of their careers, in their day-to-day work as counsel?
Involvement in organisations like AIJA provides several practical benefits.
First, it builds a genuine international network. International arbitration is a relatively small community, and knowing practitioners across jurisdictions helps enormously in cross-border matters – whether that is finding local counsel, getting referrals from abroad, or simply having someone to call if you need advice on something related to their country or legal system. Organisations like AIJA create a supportive community and the opportunity to form valuable business connections as well as lasting friendships.
Second, it provides visibility. Speaking at conferences, publishing articles, and taking on leadership roles within commissions help establish your profile in the field, which is particularly valuable for younger practitioners building their practice.
Third, it creates opportunities to develop both legal expertise and useful skills, such as public speaking, event organisation, and networking skills. Especially for those at earlier stages of their careers, AIJA provides a low-threshold forum to, for example, have your first public speech in front of an international audience. This supportive environment helps build confidence in a way that can be difficult to achieve solely through client work, where the stakes are higher and the opportunities to take centre stage more limited.
AIJA’s annual conference will take place in Helsinki this June, with the International Arbitration Commission hosting the arbitration track. What themes will the arbitration programme focus on, and what kind of discussions can participants expect?
The arbitration programme in Helsinki will focus on limits and obstacles to arbitration. Whilst for many commercial entities arbitration has become increasingly appealing as a means of resolving disputes more swiftly, a party seeking to utilise this dispute resolution process may encounter several impediments, such as the non-arbitrability of the claim, jurisdictional or admissibility objections, or a subsequent challenge to the validity of the award. The arbitration track will discuss the applicability and accessibility of arbitration now and in the future, with a particular focus on the issues of arbitrability, jurisdiction, admissibility, and the possibility of setting aside arbitral awards.
We have designed the programme to be practice-focused. Rather than purely academic discussions, participants can expect panel sessions with experienced practitioners sharing real-world insights and case studies examining recent developments. The sessions will feature interactive discussions and practical perspectives on navigating these obstacles in day-to-day practice.
The conference also offers excellent networking opportunities – not just during formal sessions but through social events and informal gatherings. Helsinki in mid-summer is a wonderful setting, and we are looking forward to welcoming the international arbitration community to Finland.
Finally, in your role within the Commission, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your engagement with the international arbitration community so far?
What has been particularly rewarding is seeing how enthusiastic and committed our members are. People are genuinely excited about participating in AIJA events and taking on different roles, which creates a real sense of energy and community. Seeing that enthusiasm – and being part of creating opportunities for practitioners to develop, connect, and contribute – has made my engagement with the Commission genuinely fulfilling.
It is also rewarding to be involved in something that is very different from my day-to-day practice but still focused on arbitration. My role in the Commission has given me the opportunity to develop leadership and coordination skills which has been valuable for my professional and personal development beyond client work.
