Associate, Jansen Lefebvre
If the word "networking" still evokes awkward handshakes and scripted small talk, it’s probably because you – as a young or junior lawyer - didn’t attend a “targeted Networking” as the “CEPANI Intern Day” on 15 July — a genuine moment of connection that challenged those “clichés” and offered a refreshing perspective on what professional interaction can truly be. To grasp why the “CEPANI Intern Day” stands out as a truly “targeted networking” experience, here are the reasons, in my view, young lawyers should genuinely consider being part of such opportunities.
First, I had the pleasure of taking part in the “CEPANI Intern Day”, alongside a group of about fifteen passionate participants from across Belgium — law students, junior associates, and academic researchers. Each brought their own background, yet all shared a common interest: Arbitration (or, to stay on theme, the “target”).
From the very first exchanges, one thing became clear: the conduct of arbitration evolves in all its dimensions. In his opening presentation, Mr. Benoît Kohl, President of CEPANI, shared valuable insights into how the institution has grown over time — from its foundation to its position today as Belgium’s leading arbitration and mediation centre. Mr. Kohl highlighted the gradual shift in arbitral procedures, now offering greater flexibility while maintaining the necessary degree of formalism - a point not lost on one of the participants, who humorously shared that arbitration today is “not quite what it was 30 years ago” (he was not, in fact, an “intern”).
Speaking of the evolving “conduct of arbitration in all its dimensions”, Mr. Kohl illustrated how CEPANI itself responds to the changing expectations of arbitration practice. As for example, the implementation of three new specialized services in recent years reflects this core institutional value of adaptability, which are:
C‑SAR, a dedicated section for sports arbitration;
Domain name dispute resolution, offering efficient solutions for conflicts involving “.be” domain names, and;
C‑Build, focused on disputes in the construction sector.
Here is a second key added value of a “targeted Networking”: the opportunity to exchange experiences, discuss questions that often arise at the start of a professional journey, and discover a shared mindset in the room — curiosity and a solution-oriented attitude, much like an arbitrator. And who better than those involved in the day-to-day management of arbitration in Belgium to share, with both transparency and first-hand insight, the behind-the-scenes realities of the field?
In fact, the morning session ended with Ms. Lauren Rasking, Co-Chair of CEPANI40 and Counsel at A&O Shearman in Brussels. What I keep in mind from her insightful presentation is the following: the ambition to pursue arbitration must never be accompanied by a closed mindset. Indeed, when CEPANI is called upon to appoint an arbitrator in Belgium, the role demands a mindset of openness — both intellectual and cultural. Arbitration must be attuned to differences in language, personality, culture, social context, and technical expertise, integrating these elements into its reasoning and approach. Stepping out of our comfort zone has never been more meaningful than through this realization!
So, what’s the added value for a junior associate to attend a “targeted networking” event? No doubt, it is a focused gathering of individuals united by a specific professional interest. The diversity of participants’ backgrounds and the direct access to experts managing arbitration processes in Belgium create an environment where connections are not just social, but strategic and purposeful. These participants come together not just to meet, but to learn from experienced professionals, build early connections, and imagine themselves — one day — not just as participants in arbitration events, but as those shaping the process itself.
And while Brussels has been enjoying sunny days lately, the warm welcome we received from Ms. Emma Van Campenhoudt (Secretary General) and Ms. Astrid Moreau (Deputy Counsel) of the CEPANI Secretariat made the atmosphere even brighter! They provided detailed insights into the technical and logistical aspects of preparing an arbitration under CEPANI’s aegis. We sincerely thank them for this enriching meeting and for sharing valuable advice that will undoubtedly benefit our future careers.
Final note of my first “targeted networking” at CEPANI: the event is simply a golden opportunity to engage directly with the very heart of Belgian arbitration — exploring how legal frameworks and contextual factors influence the role of arbitrators today, and how the next generation can best prepare to meet these challenges!
