The International Bar Association (IBA) has named Millicent Walthew as the 2026 recipient of the David W Rivkin Fellowship , an award established in honour of former IBA President David W Rivkin, who served from 2015 to 2016.
The Fellowship recognises exceptional promise in a young lawyer participating in the IBA internship programme in London, United Kingdom, and is designed to support the next generation of globally-minded legal professionals. The Fellowship celebrates intellectual curiosity, commitment to the rule of law and the potential to make a meaningful contribution to the legal profession and wider society. In addition to a monetary award, the Fellowship provides a unique mentorship opportunity with Mr Rivkin, one of the world's leading figures in international arbitration and public international law.
Ms Walthew was selected following a competitive application process that included a video submission outlining her career aspirations and an essay responding to the question: 'In your view, what is the single most important quality or attribute a lawyer must possess to be successful in their legal career, and how do you embody or plan to develop this quality?'
Commenting on the award, Ms Walthew said: 'As a young lawyer at the beginning of my career, I am extremely privileged to be the 2026 David W Rivkin Fellow. I would like to thank Mr Rivkin and the IBA for this unique opportunity. Having David as my mentor is something that I very much look forward to.'
She added: 'In my application for the Fellowship I addressed the moral hazards and professional hurdles lawyers must face in backsliding democracies. In this context, I firmly believe that guidance from one generation of lawyers to another is crucial. Furthermore, my master's thesis concerned international investment law and arbitration, so I am especially grateful to be the mentee of someone with such immense stature in this field.'
Mr Rivkin stated: 'Millicent stood out for her intellectual depth, international outlook and clear commitment to the role lawyers play in defending the rule of law. Her reflections on the ethical responsibilities facing young lawyers today were thoughtful, mature and compelling. We were particularly impressed by her potential to become a principled and impactful leader within the global legal profession. I must also pay tribute to the other intern participants. Even though they did not place today, I congratulate them on their outstanding efforts that set an impressive standard for this competition. Well done all!'
Prior to the internship with the IBA's Human Rights Institute (IBAHRI), Ms Walthew completed a Master's degree in public international law at the Université Jean Moulin (Lyon III) in France, specialising in international investment law, human rights and international environmental law. As part of her course, she participated in an exchange programme at the University of Sydney in Australia, where she also worked as a research assistant for lawyer and former politician Stephen Loosley. Ms Walthew plans to sit the French pre-bar examination in September 2026.
Mr Rivkin has long been recognised as a global leader in international arbitration. He is currently an independent arbitrator affiliated with Arbitration Chambers in New York, London and Hong Kong. A retired partner of the law firm Debevoise & Plimpton , he practised private and public international law for more than 40 years and served for over two decades as Co-Chair of the firm's International Dispute Resolution Group. He was also a founder of its Business Integrity Group and its Environmental, Social & Governance Group. Among his public positions, Mr Rivkin is a trustee of eyeWitness to Atrocities , an initiative created by the IBA to support the documentation of human rights abuses and atrocity crimes.
The David W Rivkin Fellowship was launched in 2023 and was first awarded in 2024 to Paweł Marcin Gołębiowski . Sadie Kinnersley was the recipient in 2025.
The Fellowship is open to all IBA interns based in the Association's London office in the April-June cohort. Internship opportunities are available across:
- the Legal Policy & Research Unit ;
- the IBA's Human Rights Institute ; and
- the Executive Director's Office .
These programmes offer aspiring lawyers the opportunity to gain international experience while contributing to work advancing the rule of law, human rights and legal policy development worldwide.
