The Abu Dhabi International Arbitration Centre (arbitrateAD) has appointed international arbitration lawyer Bing Yan as its Executive Director, effective 18 May 2026.
The appointment reflects arbitrateAD’s broader ambition to expand its international profile, deepen engagement with the global arbitration community and contribute to Abu Dhabi’s emergence as a hub of international disputes resolution.
Positioned at the intersection of global commerce and regional connectivity, arbitrateAD aims to combine global expertise with regional insight, while delivering world-class standards through a modern, future-ready and progressive institution designed to meet the evolving needs of international users.
Bing Yan joins arbitrateAD following nearly two decades in international legal practice, including almost twelve years at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP, where she served as Middle East Counsel in the firm’s Global Disputes practice, working between London and Abu Dhabi.
Earlier in her career, Bing Yan practised with Herbert Smith in Shanghai and White & Case in New York and Singapore. Across these roles, she advised clients on some of the most significant and complex cross-border commercial and investment treaty disputes of recent decades.
Admitted in New York, England & Wales and China, Bing Yan brings extensive experience across different legal systems, arbitration cultures and international business environments. She is also a visiting professor of law and has lectured and taught on international arbitration and dispute resolution matters at leading universities.

Dr Ali Saeed bin Harmal Al Dhaheri, Chairman of the Board of arbitrateAD, said:
“arbitrateAD was established to serve as a world-class platform for international dispute resolution from Abu Dhabi. Bing brings deep international experience and strong leadership, and we are confident she will guide the institution through its next stage of development while strengthening Abu Dhabi’s position as a global arbitration hub.”

Gary Born, Vice Chairman of the Board of arbitrateAD and Chair of the International Arbitration Practice Group at WilmerHale, added:
“Bing is an exceptionally talented arbitration lawyer who combines intellectual rigour, international experience and strategic judgment. Her energy and global perspective will play an important role as arbitrateAD continues to expand its international presence.”

Maria Chedid, President of the arbitrateAD Court of Arbitration and Global Chair of Arnold & Porter’s International Arbitration Practice Group, said:
“We are pleased to welcome Bing to arbitrateAD. Her extensive practitioner background will further reinforce the expertise of our team, helping to ensure that arbitrateAD remains closely aligned with the needs of its users and continues to earn the trust of the international arbitration community.”

Commenting on her appointment, Bing Yan said:
“The global disputes landscape is evolving rapidly alongside broader geopolitical and economic change. Against that backdrop, Abu Dhabi is increasingly well positioned to serve as a sophisticated and internationally connected platform for dispute resolution.
arbitrateAD has the opportunity to build a distinctive identity: one that combines global expertise with regional insight, while maintaining world-class standards and a forward-looking approach to dispute resolution.
I also hope arbitrateAD can contribute meaningfully to the broader UAE and Abu Dhabi legal ecosystem, including by supporting the development of future Emirati arbitration practitioners and helping build a sustainable long-term future for arbitration in the region.
I look forward to working closely with the Board, the Court and the wider arbitration community to support the institution’s continued development and long-term ambitions.”
arbitrateAD is Abu Dhabi’s international arbitration centre, providing modern and effective dispute resolution services aligned with international best practices and the needs of the global business community.