The Vienna International Arbitral Centre has announced that WilmerHale Partner Franz Schwarz has assumed the presidency of the institution, succeeding Nikolaus Pitkowitz at the close of VIAC’s 50th anniversary year.
According to VIAC, Schwarz’s appointment follows a milestone period that included updated arbitration and mediation rules, the publication of a note on the use of artificial intelligence in arbitration, and a series of international events marking the Centre’s anniversary. VIAC reports that its priorities under Schwarz’s leadership will include service excellence, strengthened cooperation with the CEE region, and continued focus on global thought leadership in commercial dispute resolution.
Schwarz has been with WilmerHale since 1999, when he joined as an Associate. He became a Partner in 2007 and the Global Vice-Chair of the firm’s international arbitration group in 2010. In 2018, he became a Vice President at the Vienna International Arbitral Centre.
"I am honoured to lead VIAC into its next chapter," Schwarz commented. "Building on 50 years of excellence, our mission is to deliver service of the highest quality, strengthen regional cooperation, and continue shaping global thought leadership in dispute resolution."
