By Laura A. Kaster, Esquire and Theodore K. Cheng, Esquire
Introduction: Private dispute resolution through mediation and arbitration is an important complement to the public court processes that are the fallback. However, the selection of neutrals by private parties has none of the oversight provided by the public appointment or electoral systems. Nor has it been the subject of well-accepted corporate norms that require law firms (and other service providers) themselves to improve diversity and accept that better outcomes occur with a diverse workforce. Because the American Inns of Court are dedicated to civility, professionalism, and excellence, we are a good place to foster increased diversity in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) field.
Published in the March/April 2017 issue of The Bencher.