Peter Frilay is a Counsel at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes.
So, growing up in Melbourne, was there any legal background in your family? What drew you to law?
I was the first in my immediate family to pursue a career in law. I wouldn’t say that law was something I was particularly drawn to as a child. From an early age, I was intellectually curious, but it wasn’t until university that I found my path in law. I performed well academically, which allowed me to gain entry to law school. As I progressed, I found that I really enjoyed it. It was the potential to make a tangible difference and help people in a concrete way that ultimately attracted me to this profession. What also drew me to law was the intellectual rigor. I appreciated the way legal work allows you to apply academic and analytical methods to solve real-world problems.
How did you transition to arbitration?
My interest in arbitration began during an exchange program at the University of California, Berkeley. A friend recommended a course with the late Professor David Caron, a renowned U.S. academic and arbitrator. His class was what really sparked my interest in arbitration. That same friend later encouraged me to apply for an internship at the Shearman & Sterling office in Singapore. The firm’s culture and the way it approached arbitration really resonated with me, and I’ve been hooked ever since.
How did the application process at Sherman & Sterling go ?
At the time, I was studying for exams, and I sent in my application around 2 a.m. The head of the arbitration team at the Singapore office responded just five minutes later, which was an exciting start! The experience in Singapore was fantastic, and I worked with a great group of people. After that, I returned to Australia to finish my law degree and qualify as a lawyer. Eventually, I joined a top-tier firm in Melbourne, but after about 18 months, I felt the need for a change and sought a work environment more similar to what I had experienced in Singapore. That led me to Paris and back to Shearman & Sterling.
What was it about the firm that particularly appealed to you?
The manner in which the team led by Yas Banifatemi at Shearman & Sterling – and now the team at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes – embraces different legal traditions is something I find very stimulating. I work on cases with a diverse, international team, and the environment encourages collaboration across different legal backgrounds. This helps us provide first rate representation on cases from different parts of the world, and to craft arguments that will land with arbitrators from different legal traditions.
It seems like you’re quite passionate about the intellectual aspects of your work.
I am. But I must also emphasize how important the people I work with are. I’m fortunate to work alongside a fantastic group of individuals from all over the world, many of whom have become close friends. The job does demand long hours at times, but working with such a dedicated and brilliant team makes the process far more rewarding and enjoyable.
What kinds of cases did you focus on early in your career?
A significant portion of my work during the first few years involved cases related to energy and Egypt. Many of these were connected to the impact of the Arab Spring on the oil and gas industry there. A lot of the work involved representing Egyptian state-owned companies in disputes with foreign investors. It was a meaningful and challenging period, and we achieved some great outcomes for our clients.
What led you to Abu Dhabi earlier this year?
The opportunity arose as the firm is continuing to expand, and I was eager to be a part of that growth. Being closer to clients in both the Middle East and Asia was an exciting prospect, and opening a new office provided a wonderful learning experience. It’s been a fantastic opportunity to strengthen relationships with existing clients and further develop my expertise in the region.
How would you describe the work ethic and culture at Gaillard Banifatemi Shelbaya Disputes?
The firm has a tradition of rigor and excellence. There is a high standard to meet, and the firm fosters a culture that emphasizes thoroughness, commitment, and collaborative problem-solving. It’s a very dynamic and challenging environment, but it’s also incredibly rewarding to be part of a talented and committed team.
What part of the process do you enjoy the most?
I do enjoy the written advocacy phase. There’s a competitive element in it, where you’re learning the facts, the law, and the technical aspects of the case faster and more thoroughly than the other side. Developing a strong command over these elements in a short period of time and developing a robust legal position is something I find very satisfying.
Interview by Valentine Faure, journalist
