ABA: Spring Conference

Secrets of Success: Unique Problems in International Arbitration and Best Practices For Managing Them
This interactive program will address many of the most challenging substantive and procedural issues that arise in International arbitrations. This program is part 1 of 2 and will focus on the preliminary management conference in international arbitration and how to use it to best effect in addressing issues unique to international arbitrations. The most experienced arbitrators in these fields will discuss these challenges, invite questions and discussion, and offer cutting-edge techniques for managing the difficulties that arbitrators and advocates may encounter.

Ellen Bass, Weinstein JAMS International Fellowship Program
Thursday, April 7, 2016 | 3:15 PM – 4:30 PM EST

Keys to a Successful Mentorship Program
Hear about the ADR mentorship opportunities of the American Arbitration Association’s Leon Higginbotham, Jr. Fellows Program, the ABA Dispute Resolution Fellowship pilot mentorship initiative , the Weinstein JAMS International Fellowship program, the New York State Bar Association Mentoring Program for Arbitrators established by the Labor and Employment Law Section, and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority and the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution partnership with Leadership Council on Legal Diversity new Fellowship in Dispute Resolution for alumnae of LCLD Fellows Program.

Gina Miller, JAMS Vice President, West Region
Friday, April 8, 2016 | 9:30 AM – 10:45 AM EST

The Client’s Perspective: ADR Users Share Insights Regarding What Mediators Do to Make the Process Succeed or Fail 
This program will feature a high level insider discussion about how mediators manage the mediation process. Learn from a panel of lawyers with diverse practices about what makes a good mediator stand out from the pack.

Michael K. Lewis, Esq.
Friday, April 8, 2016 | 11:00 AM – 12:15 PM EST

Reevaluating the Role of Autonomy in ADR
Autonomy, self-determination, and freedom-of-choice are often extolled as primary virtues of ADR. Yet empirical research and our own experience suggest, e.g., that parties in mediation sometimes don't participate meaningfully and that lawyers in arbitration sometimes don't exercise effective process choices in clause drafting. This "theory & practice" panel considers what autonomy means for the law, policy, and practice of ADR. We will raise questions such as: How does autonomy both help and hurt ADR? Is autonomy more rhetoric than reality, and if so is that a problem? Where does autonomy stand in relation to other values such as procedural fairness?