Amanda Lee, Founder of Careers in Arbitration and ARBalance, is a distinguished international arbitrator and dispute resolution expert with a commitment to empowering the next generation of arbitration professionals and promoting well-being in the industry. With extensive expertise in domestic and international arbitrations, commercial litigation, and ADR, Amanda is a recognized pioneer in her field, renowned for her experience in the automotive, financial services, construction, and waste management industries.
Amanda’s Journey in Arbitration
Amanda’s path to becoming a lawyer was not paved with privilege but rather driven by determination and hard work. As a first-generation graduate, she navigated the challenges of the legal profession without the benefits of established connections. After studying law at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, Amanda moved to London and began her legal career at a boutique disputes firm.
Her expertise in arbitration, litigation, and ADR soon flourished, leading her to join Costigan King, a female-led firm with offices in London and New York, as a consultant in 2021. Amanda’s practice focuses on high-stakes disputes in the automotive, financial, construction, and waste sectors. In 2019, she founded Careers in Arbitration to democratize access to information for aspiring professionals and later established ARBalance to support well-being in the profession. Through her endeavors, Amanda is shaping the future of arbitration and empowering the next generation.
A Lifelong Passion for Dispute Resolution
Amanda’s fascination with dispute resolution began at a young age, driven by her desire for a career that transcended borders and engaged with diverse legal systems. Her academic pursuits naturally led her to arbitration, where she discovered a passion for working with multicultural teams to develop strategies, solve problems, and deliver effective outcomes. Over time, Amanda’s motivation has evolved to encompass a deeper appreciation for the structure and pace of dispute resolution as well as its potential to drive fairness and accountability. This commitment to justice and collaboration fuels her work as an international arbitrator.
Inclusive Leadership in International Law
As a respected leader in the global legal community, Amanda defines inclusive leadership as a multifaceted approach that prioritizes listening to and amplifying underrepresented voices. In international legal settings, she believes it is essential to recognize that talent is not confined to elite institutions or familiar networks. To foster true inclusivity, Amanda emphasizes the importance of self-reflection, encouraging leaders to examine their decision-making processes and actively work to mitigate unconscious biases in hiring, appointments, mentorship, and sponsorship. By doing so, leaders can create a more equitable and diverse environment that unlocks the future potential of the teams.
Overcoming Resistance to Change
Amanda navigates pushback with persistence, pragmatism, and a focus on the bigger picture. She approaches resistance with empathy while staying focused on her goals, believing in consistent action and progress through continued effort.
Qualities of an Effective Arbitrator
A fair and effective arbitrator possesses integrity and impartiality, which are essential to sound judgment and strong communication skills. The key traits also include empathy, patience, cultural awareness, and effective process management. An effective neutral builds trust, manages the process well, ensures parties feel heard, and resolves issues with clarity and fairness.
Leadership Lessons Learned
Amanda has learned that preparation, communication, tone, and clarity are crucial in shaping outcomes. She emphasizes the importance of listening, humility, and composure, particularly under pressure. Treating people well and maintaining a strong reputation is as important as technical expertise.
Empowering Underrepresented Voices
Amanda empowers others through visibility and access to information. She founded Careers in Arbitration to demystify the field and has mentored students and practitioners for over a decade. Through Women in Arbitration Day, a weekly LinkedIn digest, she highlights achievements and keeps their successes visible.
Global Practice Insights
Amanda’s cross-border experience across the UK, the US, the Caribbean, and the Middle East has broadened her understanding of diverse legal practices and jurisdictional nuances. This exposure has made her more adaptable and receptive to new approaches. Collaborating with a globally diverse team has been particularly enriching, showcasing the collective strength of international practice.
Career Highlights: The Most Rewarding Cases and Projects
For Amanda, the most rewarding project is Careers in Arbitration, a global platform with nearly 90,000 followers that has helped numerous individuals secure opportunities. She also cherished her former role as Chair of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ Young Members Group, where she achieved gender parity and launched the YMG Ambassador program.
Words of Wisdom: Breaking into Arbitration
Amanda advises young professionals to seize opportunities, even daunting ones, and build their paths if necessary. She recommends writing, speaking, sharing insights, and taking on leadership roles to demonstrate values. Amanda also promotes realism, noting that success in arbitration requires resilience, proactivity, mentorship, sponsorship, and luck, with no guaranteed shortcuts.
The Evolution in the ADR and Arbitration Landscape
Technology has reshaped the ADR and arbitration field significantly, introducing virtual and hybrid hearings that reduce costs and improve access. AI tools are changing how professionals do research, draft, and review documents, though they present ethical challenges around confidentiality and oversight. Overall, technology has accelerated arbitration’s pace and broadened participation.
There is a significant need for structural reform to facilitate access to appointments and overcome the experience barrier, where getting appointed usually requires experience. An arbitrator observation scheme protocol can help solve this. Additionally, arbitrators can support junior counsel in gaining advocacy experience, recognizing that today’s advocates are tomorrow’s arbitrators.
The Impact of Diversity, Equity, and Mental Health
Diversity, equality, and mental health are increasingly influencing the arbitration professional, with growth still uneven. Amanda notes the importance of considering diversity throughout the arbitral process.
Initiatives like the ADR Wellbeing Toolbox, developed by ARBalance with VIAC and R.E.A.L., provide crucial resources for professionals facing well-being challenges.
Leaving a Lasting Legacy
As a lawyer, arbitrator, and educator, Amanda hopes to make the path to arbitration easier for others, inspiring others to lift as they climb. She wants to be remembered not for cases won but for the number of people she helped along the way. Additionally, Amanda would remove the structural barriers blocking talented individuals from progressing on merit, ensuring fairness, innovation, and legitimacy in the arbitration industry by providing equal opportunities for all.