The University of Miami School of Law has awarded its prestigious Young ICCA Scholarship to Costa Rican attorney Ana Eugenia Guillén Arguedas, a rising leader in international arbitration. Guillén, whose practice spans complex commercial and construction disputes across Central America, is pursuing an LL.M. in International Arbitration as she prepares to broaden her global impact.
As a former associate at leading law firm BLP in San José, Costa Rica, Guillén’s practice focused on complex commercial and construction disputes under ICC, CICA, and CCA rules, alongside high-profile award enforcement under the New York Convention. Recognized by The Legal 500 as a recommended lawyer, Guillén is also active in the broader arbitration community. She serves as treasurer of the Costa Rican Young Arbitrators Association, arbitral secretariat of the International Center for Conciliation and Arbitration, and former regional communications collaborator for Young ITA.
"Winning the Young ICCA Scholarship is both an honor and a responsibility," says Guillén. "While my previous professional experience has given me a strong foundation in Latin American arbitration practice, I see the LL.M. as a way to engage with international arbitration on a global scale. It will refine my technical knowledge of investment and commercial arbitration and allow me to build relationships with practitioners and institutions beyond the region."
A track record of global excellence
The Young ICCA Scholarship is the result of a partnership between the School of Law and the Young International Council for Commercial Arbitration (Young ICCA). As a worldwide knowledge network for young practitioners and students, Young ICCA is dedicated to expanding access to the field across all corners of the globe.
Guillén joins an impressive roster of past scholarship recipients from countries including Jamaica, Bangladesh, Canada, Georgia, India, Italy, Ukraine, the United Kingdom, Paraguay, Vietnam, and Venezuela. Scholarship alumni have gone on to positions at leading international firms and organizations, including White & Case, Three Crowns, Hanotiau & van den Berg, Reed Smith, ICSID, and Bacardi Martini.
Connecting hemispheres at Miami Law
Guillén previously studied at ESADE Business & Law School in Barcelona, where she earned a master’s degree in international business law with a focus on European and civil law traditions. When choosing her next academic step, the University of Miami offered the ideal combination of location, faculty, and practical connection to the field.
"What drew me to Miami Law was the caliber of its arbitration faculty—professors who are among the leading practitioners of international arbitration in the world, bringing real case experience and global networks directly into the classroom, not just academic theory," says Guillén.
She also emphasizes Miami’s role as a strategic hub. "Miami is a natural gateway connecting Latin America with the United States and the rest of the world, making it the ideal place to study international arbitration given how much of my practice involves cross-border disputes between the region and international parties. The program also provides a solid grounding in common law, which is essential for a career in cross-border disputes."
Shaping the future of regional dispute resolution
Guillén enters the program during a pivotal moment for arbitration in Latin America. She notes that arbitration in the region is evolving rapidly, driven by modernized national laws, increasingly sophisticated disputes, and a generational shift among practitioners.
"Younger practitioners, through groups like Young ICCA, are pushing for greater diversity on tribunals and regional dialogue," she says.
Looking forward, Guillén intends to translate her LL.M. experience directly into long-term impact across Latin America. She hopes to reinforce trust in alternative dispute resolution and strengthen arbitration institutions throughout the region.
"My goal is to continue strengthening confidence in arbitration as a reliable and efficient alternative to overburdened court systems in Latin America," Guillén says. "In the long term, I would like to help shape the evolution of regional arbitration institutions and arbitration laws so that Latin American parties and counsels have full ownership of the arbitration process."
Read more about the White & Case International Arbitration LL.M.
