Arbitra Expands Global Reach with the Addition of Elina Mereminskaya

Arbitra International has announced the appointment of Elina Mereminskaya to its panel of arbitrators. This addition reinforces Arbitra’s commitment to expanding its expertise across key jurisdictions and sectors, particularly in Latin America and Russia-related disputes, where demand is on the rise.

Elina, a Chilean and Russian arbitrator, brings extensive experience in construction, engineering, infrastructure, mining, energy, and commercial disputes. She holds a Ph.D. and an LL.M. from the University of Göttingen in Germany.

With an impressive background, Elina has held senior roles at leading arbitration institutions, law firms, and academia, including Head Partner at WAGEMANN Arbitration and Special Counsel at CAM Santiago. She also served as Co-Managing Editor of the ITA Arbitration Report.

Her track record as both arbitrator and counsel in Latin America further establishes her reputation as a leading neutral in the region. Elina has acted as sole arbitrator, co-arbitrator, tribunal chair, and emergency arbitrator in high-value disputes, with appointments under UNCITRAL, ICDR, and various Latin American institutional rules, particularly in Chile, Peru, and Colombia.

As counsel, Elina has represented multinational corporations, state-owned enterprises, and private entities in complex arbitrations, covering a wide spectrum of commercial disputes, including EPC and concession agreements, renewable energy, infrastructure, and cross-border investments. Her experience also includes significant work in public-private partnerships (PPP), FIDIC-based contracts, and international projects.

Known for her sharp analytical skills, deep sector knowledge, and fair case management, Elina has emerged as a next-generation arbitrator, earning outstanding feedback from parties and co-arbitrators. Her appointment strengthens Arbitra’s global offering and enhances its presence in the growing Latin American arbitration market.

The passing of Calvin Hamilton created a significant gap in Arbitra’s Latin American activities, where he was a highly respected figure. Elina’s appointment will bolster the firm’s presence in the region, working alongside established arbitrators Alex Wilbraham and Shan Greer. With her strong track record, Elina adds valuable expertise to this vital market.

Beyond her arbitration practice, Elina is an active leader in the arbitration community, holding key positions in major institutions. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Co-Chair of the IBA’s International Construction Projects Sub-Committee, and Chile’s representative on the ICC Commission on ADR & Arbitration. Her contributions include serving on the Directive Council of CAM Santiago and chairing the Americas Initiative at the ITA.

Elina has been recognized in The Legal 500 Arbitration Power List Latin America and is a member of multiple institutional panels, including the ICDR, SIAC, VIAC, and the Lima and Santiago Chambers of Commerce. She is consistently recognized by Who’s Who Legal (WWL) as a Global and Thought Leader in both Arbitration and Construction Law and is a sought-after speaker at international arbitration conferences.

Owen Lawrence, CEO of Arbitra, stated: "We are thrilled to welcome Elina to Arbitra. Her experience across Latin America and Russian-related disputes aligns perfectly with the growing demands we are seeing from the market. She has established herself as a leader in construction and energy arbitration and has an excellent reputation among her peers. The passing of Calvin Hamilton was a huge loss to our Latam activities, and Elina’s arrival will strengthen our offering in the region alongside our established arbitrators. We are confident that she will be a valuable addition to our panel and a strong advocate for Arbitra in key regions."

Elina expressed: "I am honoured to join Arbitra International and to be part of such a highly respected group of professionals. I look forward to serving as an arbitrator and contributing to the resolution of complex disputes. With a background rooted in Russia, a German post-graduate education, and 25 years of experience across Latin America, I hope my cross-border expertise will be of value to parties seeking fairness and efficient solutions. I join Arbitra at an exciting time as the firm continues to expand its global footprint, ensuring that clients have access to the best arbitrators, mediators, and dispute resolution professionals worldwide."

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