Young IMA Enters a New Stage of Development

We want Young IMA to be more than a professional community. Our ambition is to make it a clear and accessible career platform for the next generation of arbitration leaders — a place to connect with peers, gain practical experience, deepen expertise, find mentors, launch initiatives of their own, and chart their future professional paths.

Alongside this renewed vision, we are pleased to introduce the new Young IMA Council:

• Ellina Izotkina — Chair of the Young IMA Council; Counsel in the International Litigation and Sanctions practice at LEVEL Legal Services;
• Mikhail Bychikhin — Counsel at Curtis, Mallet-Prevost, Colt & Mosle LLP;
• Darya Zavershinskaya — Associate in the Dispute Resolution practice at Monastyrsky, Zyuba, Stepanov & Partners;
• Stepan Sultanov — Partner and Head of International Commercial Arbitration at KIAP;
• Stanislava Sosnina — Head of Department at Rosatom Group.

What’s Changing at Young IMA

This year, we have rethought the way our community is structured, with the aim of making it more flexible and project-driven. Rather than assigning members to permanent thematic committees, we will bring teams together around specific projects and initiatives.

Young IMA is designed not only for those taking their first steps in arbitration. We also want to support professionals who already have experience and are looking to define their next career move, deepen their expertise, and take the next step in their professional development.

Under the new model, mentoring and career guidance will be among the Council’s core ongoing priorities. Educational, international, and university-focused initiatives will also continue to grow.

The renewed Young IMA chapter was presented on September 21, the opening day of the Russian International Arbitration Congress (RIAC 2026). The event brought together both established members of the community and those just getting to know Young IMA.

We will share more details about our new projects, areas of focus, and opportunities for members in the coming weeks.