GesRZ-Spezial Aktuelle Praxisthemen im Unternehmensrecht und im Schiedsverfahren - Festheft für Günther Horvath

Geopolitical Uncertainties Affecting the European Energy Market

Courtney Lotfi

In the summer of 2008 I embarked on what has turned out to be a grand adventure: I joined the International Arbitration Group of what was the world’s preeminent arbitration practice in its Vienna, Austria office. That practice was headed by none other than Günther J. Horvath, or GH as he was known to us then. GH took a chance on a young American, brought her into his team, and showed her the ropes.

What an adventure we had! Travelling the world fighting for our clients and accomplishing a few notable firsts along the way. Like when the Swiss Federal Supreme Court decided that (GH’s) English-language awards do not need translations in order to be enforced, or when an arbitral institution amended its practice on arbitrator appointments in multiparty proceedings and, many years later, its practice on confidentiality.

Even as the memory of too many sleepless nights on Seilergasse fade, the fun memories remain. I’ll never forget that stellar performance of Hamlet in London, the Swiss Family Robinson-like dinner in trees above Rio, the speakeasy in Berlin, our evening view of the Acropolis, or the innumerable time...