Schaffstein, Silja

Partner, Lévy Kaufmann-Kohler, Geneva

• Ph.D., CCLS, Queen Mary, University of London, United Kingdom
• University of Geneva, Switzerland, 2012
• LL.M., Columbia University School of Law, New York, USA, 2010
• Diplôme d’études approfondies en droit (D.E.A.),University of Geneva, Switzerland, 2005
• Licence en droit, University of Geneva, Switzerland, 2002.

Silja Schaffstein, PhD is a dual-qualified attorney (admitted to New York and Geneva bars) specialized in commercial and investment arbitration. She acts as arbitrator, counsel or co-counsel in international and domestic ad hoc and institutional arbitration proceedings. Recognized as a Global Elite Thought Leader by Who’s Who Legal/Lexology Index (Arbitration Under 45, 2024) and a Rising star by Legal 500 (EMEA Dispute Resolution/Arbitration), Silja has participated in more than 40 arbitral proceedings, under all major arbitration rules, including ICC, LCIA, Swiss Rules, DIS, ICSID, UNCITRAL and WIPO, and a variety of national arbitration acts and substantive laws, of both the common law and civil law traditions. Silja also advises and represents parties before the Swiss courts in complex cross-border litigations and arbitration-related proceedings, including actions to set aside Swiss arbitral awards and to recognize or enforce foreign awards. She routinely provides specialist Swiss law advice and analysis to clients, in particular on arbitration issues and questions related to res judicata. She has particular experience with disputes involving joint ventures, shareholder and share purchase agreements, as well as distribution, sales, works and services, and licensing contracts. Her experience spans different industries, including banking and finance, life sciences, pharmaceuticals, insurance, telecommunications, automotive, energy and natural resources. She is the author of a well-known monograph on “The Doctrine of Res Judicata Before International Commercial Arbitral Tribunals” (Oxford University Press, 2016) and a number of other publications covering Swiss and international arbitration topics. Silja is fluent in German, English and French.

• The Doctrine of Res Judicata Before International Commercial Arbitral Tribunals, Oxford University Press, 2016
• The Doctrine of Res Judicata in International Commercial Arbitration, Arbitration in Switzerland: The Practitioner's Guide, Arroyo (ed.), 2nd ed., 2018
• Switzerland , in: J. Kim/M. Scherer (Eds), Delos Guide to Arbitration Places (GAP), 2nd. ed., 2021

• Association Suisse de l'Arbitrage (ASA)
• International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA)
• London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA)
• Ordre des Avocats de Genève (Geneva Bar Association)
• American Bar Association (ABA)
• New York State Bar Association (NYSBA)