Catherine Schroeder is an independent arbitrator and counsel based in Paris, who specializes in international arbitration.
As both a French and American citizen, she grew up in a multicultural environment, which drew her to international law and international arbitration.
She was admitted to the Paris Bar in 2005, began her career at the French arbitration boutique Derains & Associés and continued at Derains & Gharavi at its creation in 2009. Over the past 18 years, she has developed extensive experience in arbitration having participated in more than 60 arbitration proceedings. She has acted as arbitrator, counsel and secretary to arbitral tribunals, in commercial arbitration proceedings conducted under various arbitration rules (ICC, AFA, DIAC, CAM, SCC, LCIA, CMAP) or ad hoc rules (UNCITRAL), and has been involved in disputes arising out of corporate and commercial matters in general, including joint-ventures, distribution, license, sales and service agreements. Her areas of expertise also includes intellectual property, construction, energy and telecommunications.
Catherine decided to launch her own firm in order to have the full availability to serve as an independent arbitrator without encountering any conflicts of interest issues. She also advises parties (or intervenes as co-counsel) on commercial arbitration matters at any stage of the proceedings. She offers flexible and personalized services, both in terms of time and cost, to meet her clients’ specific needs and expectations.
Catherine was elected in July 2023 as a member of the Paris Arbitration Week (PAW) Board for a three-year mandate.