How a nine-month plan turned into an ICC career

Chloe Martin’s path to ICC wasn’t a traditional one. She didn’t come from a legal background and never imagined working in international arbitration. Instead, she started out teaching English to adults in Paris before moving into customer service and event coordination at a business school.

She says: “That role was actually very similar to what I do now. It was all about making sure people had what they needed, organising schedules, solving problems and creating a great experience.”

That people-focused mindset still shapes the way Chloe works today as Court Session Coordination Manager, overseeing up to 400 ICC Court sessions every year.

Growing through opportunity

Chloe initially joined ICC as a bilingual assistant in the Swiss-Italian team. Since then, she’s progressed through several roles — from assistant to manager — building her career step by step over the past decade.

“One of the things I value most about ICC is that your progression isn’t only based on diplomas or having a very traditional background,” she says. “If you’re ambitious, committed and willing to learn, people will give you a chance.”

That opportunity to grow is something she believes makes ICC unique.

“In another organisation, I don’t think I would have been able to move from an assistant role into management without a specific qualification. Here, it’s much more about performance, trust and potential.”

Alongside developing her leadership skills, Chloe says ICC has also helped her grow personally.

“I joined when I was 27 and I’m 37 now. During that time, I got married, bought an apartment, travelled to around 30 countries and learned how to manage stress in a much healthier way. You grow a lot here — professionally and personally.“

Strength in connection

Today, Chloe works in a two-person team alongside her colleague Danielle.

Every morning starts the same way: a quick call to check in, catch up and plan the day ahead.

“In a small team, communication is everything,” Chloe says. “We always make time to ask how the other is doing. It’s important to keep that human connection and not just talk about work all the time.”

A typical day revolves around supporting management, coordinating court sessions, managing schedules and helping colleagues and court members navigate an often intense workload.

“The thing I enjoy most is helping people, making sure someone has what they need, that things run smoothly and that people feel supported.“

Chloe also plays an important role in training new colleagues, helping them understand how the court works and preparing them for the realities of the role.

More than just a workplace

Asked what keeps Chloe at ICC after 10 years, she replies without hesitation:

“The people. The people. The people!”

She describes ICC as a stand out supportive and international environment where colleagues genuinely care about one another.

“It feels like working with friends,” she says. “People don’t just ask how you are out of politeness — they genuinely mean it.”

That sense of community has stayed with her throughout her career at ICC and continues to shape her experience today.

And outside of work? Chloe still keeps her passions alive, running a creative writing group in Paris, helping to organise literary events for the association Bodies of Work Paris, and continuing to write whenever she can.

“It’s still a huge part of who I am,” says Chloe. “I may not have ended up in publishing, but I found another career that I genuinely love.”

For anyone considering joining ICC, her advice is simple:

“If you’re someone who’s ambitious, sociable and ready to go the extra mile, there’s a real opportunity to grow here.”