ArbBoutique, the fast-rising player in the global arbitration arena, has just added heavyweight firepower to its ranks. Chartered Arbitrator and renowned mediator Chiann Bao has come aboard as Partner—marking a major milestone for the firm just six months after its launch.
Bao’s resume reads like a tour through the epicenters of global arbitration. A former Secretary-General of the HKIAC and past Vice President of the ICC, she brings over two decades of experience, a track record that spans nearly 100 arbitrations across the globe, and a total disputes portfolio worth close to $40 billion. From AAA to SIAC, ICC to UNCITRAL, her footprint across institutions is as vast as it is influential.
Now a full-time arbitrator, Bao is also a co-chair of the IBA Arbitration Committee and sits on the governing board of ICCA. Her move to ArbBoutique is both strategic and symbolic—a sign that the firm is quickly becoming a gravitational center for elite arbitration talent.
Speaking on her decision, Bao said the structure of ArbBoutique offered the ideal environment for an independent arbitrator—agile, globally connected, and powered by individuals she calls “dynamic and universally respected.” The feeling is mutual. Founders Maxi Scherer and Niuscha Bassiri praised her as “the perfect match” for the firm’s vision, bringing not just excellence and leadership, but linguistic and geographic depth that will extend ArbBoutique’s reach.
But Bao isn’t the only new name on the roster. The firm also announced the promotion of Ritika Ajitsaria to Associate—another key move in its scaling efforts. Ajitsaria, who cut her teeth at Trilegal, Mumbai, brings over five years of experience in international arbitration and domestic litigation. Previously an intern at ArbBoutique, she now takes a formal role, with the team calling her a crucial addition who strengthens their global perspective.
Launched in September 2024, ArbBoutique has been on an upward sprint. With over $75 billion in ongoing disputes, leadership roles secured by its founding partners in institutions like LCIA and the ICC Institute of World Business Law, and now a reinforced team that spans generations and jurisdictions, it’s clear: ArbBoutique isn’t just growing—it’s accelerating.