Dispute Resolution Section White Papers

Benefits of Employment Arbitration in Employment Law
February 2011: Alternative dispute resolution presents the only proven alternative to litigation of employment and workplace cases. Voluntary arbitration, at the option of an employee after a dispute has arisen, is non-controversial and of some benefit. Unfortunately, many times after a dispute has arisen, the parties become less flexible, gird for battle, and are less inclined to step back from judicial confrontation.

Resolving Disputes Among Small Business Owners
January 2011: Under current law, a court has relatively few options available to it to resolve disputes between partners, shareholders or managing members of business entities. Those options are often limited to a determination as to whether dissolution is appropriate, as that may be the only remedy that a court can provide. Derivative actions, too, are complex and uncertain in the closely-held entity context. Mediation and arbitration, on the other hand, are flexible procedures which can be focused on the issues and interests that are key to the parties, offer a whole range of remedial options and do so in an expeditious and cost effective manner.

Benefits of Mediation and Arbitration for Dispute Resolution in Securities Law
January 2011: Mediation and arbitration have particular applicability in the field of securities law. Securities arbitrators are knowledgeable in the field. Discovery is limited in arbitration and sanction very rare. Securities mediation can quickly resolve the dispute, reduce customer anger and provide for a non-monetary component.

Benefits of Mediation and Arbitration for Dispute Resolution in Trusts and Estates Law
January 2011: Mediation and arbitration, both of which are responsive to party needs in a way that is not possible in a court proceeding, are two of the most frequently utilized forms of dispute resolution. They have particular applicability in the field of Trusts and Estates, which by its very nature often involves family members and has significant emotional components.

Benefits of Alternative Dispute Resolution for Resolving Municipal Disputes
January 2011: When a dispute involves a municipality, the costs of resolving it will typically be borne by the taxpayers either directly through taxation, or indirectly through increased insurance premiums. No matter who ultimately prevails in the action, it is the taxpayer who pays. Arbitration and mediation can be used as an expeditious, more cost-effective means to remedy these disputes.

Introduction to Alternative Dispute Resolution for the LGBT Community
January 2011: Mediation and arbitration have particular applicability in disputes involving the LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) community, where confidentiality and discretion may be of particular interest to the parties and where courts may be insensitive or even hostile to parties. In LGBT family issues there is a dearth of applicable law and traditional family law can be inapplicable.

Insurance/Reinsurance Arbitration and Mediation
January 2011: Where insurers and re-insurers find themselves consistently involved in matters that are heading towards or involved in litigation, it is no surprise that the industry currently makes extensive use of a variety of dispute resolution processes.

Mediation to Resolve Workplace Disputes: A User’s Guide
January 2011: Any lawyer asked to handle an employment dispute – whether on the plaintiff’s side or employer’s side –should consider the alternative of mediation and should also be aware of the possible existence of an agreement requiring mediation or arbitration of a particular dispute.

Successful Resolution of Co-op, Condo and Homeowners Association Disputes
December 2010: Mediation and arbitration, both of which are responsive to party needs in a way that is not possible in a court proceeding, are two of the most frequently utilized forms of dispute resolution. They have particular applicability in the field of Cooperatives and Condominiums since the process may result in preserving relationships and enhancing a sense of community among neighbors.

Benefits of Mediation and Arbitration for Dispute Resolution in Entertainment Law
January 2011: Litigation requires a huge investment of time and money for an uncertain verdict. Clients in the entertainment industry must also risk irreparable damage to their reputation. Mediation and arbitration have particular applicability in the field of entertainment law.

Benefits of Mediation and Arbitration for Dispute Resolution in Health Care
January 2011: Healthcare providers, insurers and suppliers rely to a large extent on professional relationships to fulfill their Missions and advance their business models. When disputes arise, preservation of the underlying relationship is often critical to the parties. Arbitration has become very common in the resolution of commercial disputes and is routinely incorporated into such contracts as a method of choice for resolving disputes.

Benefits of Mediation for Dispute Resolution in Elder Law
January 2011: Mediation has particular applicability in the field of Elder Law, specifically, mediating end of life issues; mediating guardianship disputes; mediating elder care issues between children/siblings of the parent and getting the elder person’s voice heard.

Benefits of Arbitration and Mediation for Dispute Resolution in Intellectual Property Law
January 2011: Mediation and arbitration are no longer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) mechanisms, but have become common in the resolution of commercial and non commercial disputes between business entities and/or individuals. Mediation and arbitration are routinely incorporated into contracts as the methods of choice for resolving disputes that may arise in the future and are also routinely used after problems arise and the parties are seeking a means to resolve their disputes.