Wilmer Cutler Pickering Hale and Dorr LLP is pleased to announce that Franz Schwarz, partner and Global Vice-Chair of the firm’s International Arbitration Practice Group, has been appointed President of the Vienna International Arbitral Centre (VIAC), the leading arbitral institution in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE).
Founded in 1975 as an interface between East and West during the Cold War, VIAC has grown into one of the world’s most recognized international arbitration institutions. Operating under the auspices of the Austrian Federal Economic Chamber, VIAC has administered more than 2,500 proceedings and offers a full suite of alternative dispute resolution services, including international and domestic arbitration, mediation, investment arbitration, and Arb-Med-Arb proceedings.
Mr. Schwarz is a globally respected figure in international arbitration with decades of experience in complex, high-stakes disputes. Based in London, he has advised sovereign states, multinational corporations, and investors in arbitrations under all major institutional rules. He has served as Vice-President of VIAC since 2018 and has been particularly active in Europe’s arbitration circles.
Mr. Schwarz has participated in over 250 arbitration proceedings and is widely recognized for his expertise in investment treaty arbitration, commercial arbitration, and enforcement actions. He teaches international arbitration at the University of Zurich, John Hopkins Bologna, the Europainstitut in Saarbrücken and the Vienna University School of Law. He is co-author of The Vienna Rules—A Commentary on International Arbitration in Austria, a leading text in the field.
His professional excellence has earned him consistent recognition by Chambers Global, Best Lawyers and The Legal 500 UK. He is also acknowledged as a Leading Arbitrator and Thought Leader by Lexology Index: Arbitration.
“I am very excited to lead VIAC for the coming years,” Mr. Schwarz said. “This is a remarkable institution with a great history, founded to administer disputes between West and East in the heart of Europe. I look forward to continuing that legacy and to focus relentlessly on the excellence of our service to businesses from around the world, deepen our partnership with all stakeholders in the region, and lend a voice to the CEE arbitration community.”
His leadership marks a significant milestone for VIAC and reflects WilmerHale’s continued commitment to excellence in global dispute resolution.