MIDS ALUMNI PORTRAIT SERIES - Opening doors to The Hague: How the MIDS launched Ricardo Marroquín into International Arbitration

When Ricardo Marroquín (MIDS '21) joined the program in the midst of the COVID‑19 pandemic, he became part of a cohort that navigated an unusually challenging academic year marked by lockdowns, hybrid teaching, and global uncertainty. The experience strengthened his resilience and adaptability-qualities that would shape his professional path and lead him to opportunities he had not initially imagined, including the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA)‑MIDS Fellowship in The Hague. Today, as Legal Counsel at International Center for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID), Ricardo reflects on how the Master in International Dispute Settlement (MIDS) broadened his horizons, sharpened his interest in international dispute settlement, and continues to influence his career through its reputation, community, and the lessons learned both inside and beyond the classroom.

What motivated you to join the MIDS program, and what were your expectations at the time?

My main motivation for joining the MIDS was its faculty. During my LL.M research, I struggled to find another program with such a strong cluster of professors in the field. I was also particularly attracted by the program focus on both inter-state dispute settlement and international commercial arbitration and investor-state dispute settlement (ISDS). Finally, the opportunity to live and study in Geneva was another important draw.

Which aspect of the MIDS experience had the greatest impact on your professional or personal growth?

I took the program in 2020-2021, in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our batch even named itself PandeMIDS! Beyond the academic challenges of the program, we were navigating lockdowns, virtual and hybrid classes, countless sanitary restrictions, and, for many of us, significant economic uncertainty. Completing such a demanding program under these circumstances required a great deal of resiliency from all of us and it would have been near impossible without the support and adaptability of the MIDS faculty. This experience taught me an important lesson about perseverance and adaptability, one that I believe has stayed with me both professionally and personally.

How has the MIDS network or training influenced your career path since graduation?

The impact has been significant. Before the program, I had no practical experience in public international law and limited exposure to international commercial arbitration. MIDS opened the doors for me when I was awarded the PCA-MIDS Fellowship, which gave me the opportunity to work at the Permanent Court of Arbitration (PCA) in The Hague for almost a year. Since then, I have focused my practice exclusively on international arbitration and investor-State dispute settlement, something I never would have thought of before joining the MIDS!

If you could redesign one aspect of international dispute resolution, what would it be and why?

I would make it rely more on domestic law. This might sound familiar to many MIDS students, as it is something that Professor Douglas emphasized in his classes, and, looking back, I couldn't agree more with him. Once we are immersed in the world of international dispute resolution, one can easily drift away into a framework governed exclusively by international law and lose any sight of domestic law. This is unfortunate, especially considering that most of us started as national lawyers and were trained within our own domestic legal systems, based on legal principles that seem completely abandoned in international dispute settlement. Many of the problems that international tribunals or courts face may find a sound and fair answer lying in general principles of law rooted in domestic law.

Which moment since graduation made you realize the true value of your MIDS experience - and was it what you expected?

To be honest, I cannot pinpoint to a precise moment. The value of the MIDS has revealed itself throughout my career. What I can say is that I have noticed the recognition and strong reputation MIDS has within the arbitral community, perhaps even more than I had realized before undertaking the program. I also often notice that young lawyers looking to do an LL.M. with a focus on dispute resolution consistently consider the MIDS as one of their preferred options. It is always a great pleasure to receive queries about the program from prospective students.

What advice would you give to future MIDS students embarking on this journey?

Even though one can learn a great deal from just attending classes and completing the program, I still believe there are different degrees of benefits one can gain from the MIDS. My advice to future MIDS students would be to make the most of the many resources the MIDS offers, outside of the classroom. I would encourage them to actively take advantage of networking opportunities, mentorship programs, and career services that are available throughout the year. I cannot say that I excelled in taking advantage of these opportunities and it is something that I actually regret. It is for that reason that I would encourage future MIDS students to be proactive in taking advantage of all the resources that the program provides.