Alternative Dispute Resolution

In response to the growing congestion of the nation’s court system, alternative forms of dispute resolution have proven to be extremely effective means of achieving favorable conclusions to many of our clients’ disputes. Whether voluntary, contractual, or judicially required, alternative dispute resolution is often more economical, faster and less public than traditional courtroom litigation.

Seyfarth Shaw attorneys have been extensively involved in the development and practice of mediation, arbitration, and summary and minitrials, encompassing most substantive areas of civil litigation. Authors of numerous texts on the subject, our attorneys not only represent clients in these forums, they act as mediators and arbitrators themselves.

Our firm is a member of the CPR Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution, a not-for-profit organization that fosters alternative dispute resolution. This ensures that our attorneys are knowledgeable about these forums and are able to offer them to clients as an appropriate means of dispute resolution. This philosophy dovetails with our own emphasis on providing dispute resolution that meets clients’ objectives economically and effectively.

As a result of this commitment, Seyfarth Shaw’s alternative dispute resolution practice has been increasingly recognized by the legal and business communities. For example, the American Arbitration Association appointed a firm partner to serve as one of three designated arbitrators for athlete and team disputes for the U.S. Olympic Committee at the Sydney Olympics — the third time this attorney has been so honored.