Chavah Apfelbaum
⚒️ What do you do?
I am a dual-qualified Associate in the Dispute Resolution team at Asserson - a UK firm with offices in Tel Aviv, London and Manchester. I specialise in cross-border disputes and international arbitration.
I am also the International Bar Association Young Lawyers’ Committee National Representative of Israel.
In addition to my practice, I am presently undertaking a LLM in International Dispute Resolution at the Queen Mary University of London.
🏆 What is your proudest achievement?
Prior to joining Asserson, I was a lawyer in the IP disputes team at a top-tier firm in Melbourne, Australia.
Back in 2019, I moved to Israel – a country in which I wasn’t qualified to practice law, and without a job lined up. I joined Asserson within a matter of months. I have since cross-qualified in the UK, expanded my practice to include arbitration and could not be happier. There’s something to be said for taking a chance, particularly when you’re young, and advocating for yourself.
⌛ There are now 25 hours in a day! How do you spend your extra hour?
No question – with my family. Life as a lawyer is a constant balancing act. Between billable work, non-billable team development, marketing and training (and the occasional meal) there is never enough time in the day.
Add to that pursuing a Masters in Law, and I can tell you that time with family and friends becomes even more precious.
🚀 If you weren't a lawyer, what would you do?
From as early as I can remember, I was always vacillating between Law and Medicine. If I wasn’t a lawyer, I like to think that I would be a medical practitioner in Israel, travelling the world in my spare time, penning best-seller thrillers.
😋 Your favourite food haunt (bonus points if it's off the beaten track!)
Gagou de Paris – a charming French pastry store located in Jerusalem, Israel. Their croissants are divine.
If anyone is visiting our wonderful country, please be in touch – I’d love to take you there.
*Note: This interview has been edited for clarity and brevity.