Schroeder Arbitration

portrait Catherine Schroeder

ABOUT

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.

Professional background

Since 2021:  Schroeder-Arbitration
2017-2020: Counsel, Derains & Gharavi
2009-2016: Associate, Derains & Gharavi
2005-2008: Associate, Derains & Associés

EDUCATION

2003 – 2004  Bar School (EFB) Paris
2002 – 2003  Post Graduate Degree (DESS) in Litigation, Arbitration and Alternative Dispute Resolutions, University Paris II Panthéon Assas
2001 – 2002  Postgraduate Degree (DEA) in International Private Law, University Paris II Panthéon-Assas
1999 – 2000. Master of International Law and European Law, University Paris II Panthéon-Assas

MEMBERSHIPS

Member of the Paris Arbitration Week (PAW) Board
Member of the ICC Institute of World Business Law
Member of the ICC ADR and Arbitration Commission
Member of the Comité Français de l’Arbitrage (CFA)
Member of the Association Française de l’Arbitrage (AFA)
Member of the Association Suisse d’Arbitrage (ASA)
Member of CEPANI
Member of ArbitralWomen

Catherine has been recognized in Who’s Who Legal-Future Leaders as a Future Leader Arbitration since 2020 and was praised as 'an excellent arbitrator and lawyer' with 'impressive drafting and pleading skills'.

In 2024 she was also identified as one of « the Most-Highly Regarded Future Leaders in EMEA».

Interview of Catherine Schroeder on Smart Lex presented by Florence Duprat

YouTube video