Kristina Bittner
South Miami
Summary
Incoming LL.M. in International Arbitration student at the University of Miami School of Law, with plans to pursue the JD/LL.M. joint degree. German-qualified attorney with over four years of experience in international arbitration at leading global firms including Weil Gotshal and Dentons. Born in Kazakhstan and raised in Germany, native German and Russian speaker working professionally in Spanish and Portuguese. Now transitioning into the U.S. legal market.
Overview
10
10
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Associate
Dentons Europe (Germany)
Frankfurt Am Main, Germany
12.2022 - 07.2025
- Represented a German life sciences company: Advising on arbitration proceedings against a former distributor in the Middle East under LCIA rules; responsible senior associate for the drafting process of the statement of defense and rejoinder; conducted witness interviews; took basic Arabic language classes to improve communicate with witnesses; prepared Redfern Schedule; prepared witnesses for cross-examination and hearing; cross-examining claimant's witness; drafted opening statements for the hearing; drafted the post-hearing brief.
- German Federal Ministry: Advising on 13 arbitrations under CIETAC-rules with the seat of arbitration in China concerning the delivery of defective protective health equipment. One of the leading senior associates on the draft of the statement of claim and reply; responsible senior associate for the research of Chinese contract law.
- Canadian marine technology company: Representing the client in an arbitration under ICC rules in Ottawa, Canada regarding royalty payments. Leading associate on the case; preparing the answer, statement of defense and rejoinder; conducting witness interviews.
- Leading German producer of industrial pumps and valves: Representing the client against its former Greek distributor in an arbitration under ICC rules in Zurich, Switzerland. Draft of the statement of defense and rejoinder; preparing and conducting witness interviews; drafting opening statements for the hearing; drafting the post-hearing brief.
Associate
Weil Gotshal Manges LLP
Munich, Germany
07.2021 - 11.2022
- Representing client in a cross-border litigation in Switzerland/Austria/Germany in complex matters regarding a cross-border inheritance; drafting several submissions to the German courts; cooperating with the Swiss counsel; preparing and attending hearing in Switzerland.
- Advising client on enforcement of an award in Bulgaria; research on New York Convention and rules of the German Arbitration Institution (DIS).
- Representing a French company in one of the first mediation cases (alternative dispute resolution) in tax law in Germany (published in the German Arbitration Journal 2023); part of the key team conducting the mediation proceedings.
- Part of the lawyers team in a cross-border investigation in the United States and Germany.
- Pro-bono: Advising an international organization on public international law matters related to the invasion of Ukraine.
- Pro-bono: Participating in the "Innocence project" with colleagues from the US.
Junior Associate
Taylor Wessing
Hamburg, Germany
11.2020 - 01.2021
- Drafting a legal opinion as preparation for the request of arbitration in a transportation law case.
- Drafting a mediation agreement.
- Research on issues in an international legal dispute concerning the claims for damages of a technology company in the space and aviation industry.
Junior Lawyer
German Embassy Madrid (Spain)
Madrid
12.2019 - 02.2020
- Comprehensive examination of the legal status of imprisoned politicians with regard to their mandates in the European Parliament and evaluation of the ECJ (European Court of Justice) ruling.
- Elaboration of the recommendation on the position of the Federal Republic of Germany regarding the Periodic Review Procedure of Spain by the UN Human Rights Council.
- Invitation to the Residence of the German Ambassador as an outstanding Junior Lawyer.
Junior Associate
CMS Hasche Sigle
Hamburg, Germany
08.2019 - 11.2019
- Drafting a claim and counterclaim in an arbitration under ICC-rules regarding an infrastructure project in an African state.
- Drafting a request for arbitration under ICC-rules in the pharmaceutical sector.
- Drafting a claim in a post-M&A- litigation.
Research Assistant
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
Hamburg, Germany
11.2017 - 09.2018
- Coordination and processing of civil litigation at the headquarters of the client, a large European automobile manufacturer.
- Examination of claims for information in a state-investor dispute of a globally operating airline on the basis of a BIT with a South American state.
- Research on Model Declaratory Action in Germany and European Union.
Intern
Trench Rossi E Watanabe Advogados
São Paulo, Brazil
03.2015 - 04.2015
- Research in Portuguese and English in the field of trademark protection.
- Participation in the general meeting of the Swiss-Brazilian Chamber of Commerce.
Education
Master of Laws - International Arbitration
University of Miami School of Law
Miami, United States05-2026
J.D. - Law
Humboldt University of Berlin
Berlin, Germany09-2017
Erasmus (Exchange) - Spanish Law, Public International Law
Universidad Complutense De Madrid
Madrid, Spain05-2014
Skills
- Legal document drafting
- Legal analysis
- Skilled in cross-examination techniques
- Team leadership
- International dispute resolution
- Commercial dispute resolution
- Effective cross-cultural communication
Accomplishments
- Recognized as "One to Watch in Arbitration" in German magazine Handelsblatt since 2024
Languages
English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
German
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Russian
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Spanish
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Portuguese
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Advanced (C1)
Ukrainian
Intermediate (B1)
Italian
Intermediate (B1)
Timeline
Senior Associate
Dentons Europe (Germany)
12.2022 - 07.2025
Associate
Weil Gotshal Manges LLP
07.2021 - 11.2022
Junior Associate
Taylor Wessing
11.2020 - 01.2021
Junior Lawyer
German Embassy Madrid (Spain)
12.2019 - 02.2020
Junior Associate
CMS Hasche Sigle
08.2019 - 11.2019
Research Assistant
Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer
11.2017 - 09.2018
Intern
Trench Rossi E Watanabe Advogados
03.2015 - 04.2015
Master of Laws - International Arbitration
University of Miami School of Law
J.D. - Law
Humboldt University of Berlin
Erasmus (Exchange) - Spanish Law, Public International Law
Universidad Complutense De Madrid