Scheinman Partnership

An unprecedented partnership between the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution and the American Arbitration Association (AAA) begins this year.

It will include three jointly sponsored seminars designed for advocates and professional neutrals in 2009 and a new "Cornell Corner" section in the AAA’s Dispute Resolution Journal.

The publication, published quarterly by the association, is an internationally recognized resource for advocates, neutrals, parties, educators, public policy leaders and corporate executives

As part of the agreement with the nation's largest full-service alternative dispute resolution provider, the Scheinman Institute will also update AAA research on whether arbitrators "split the difference" in their awards.

David Lipsky, director of the Scheinman Institute and ILR's Anne Evans Estabrook, Professor of Dispute Resolution, said "The joint enterprise we are launching not only has the potential to significantly improve the practice of dispute resolution but, if our fondest hopes are realized, to transform it."

The topic of the seminar being sponsored by the AAA and the Scheinman Institute is "Labor Arbitration in a Time of Economic Crisis: How the Economy Will Impact How Cases Are Argued by Advocates and Decided by Arbitrators."

Seminars will be held April 30 to May 1 in New York City, Oct. 26 to Oct. 27 in Washington, D.C., and Nov. 9 to 10 in San Francisco.

Issues discussed will include the struggling economy's effect on contract interpretation, layoffs, disability and discharge.

A panel of arbitrators will discuss ethical dilemmas, computer and Internet issues, and difficult cases.

The AAA, based in New York City, handles disputes in areas such as employment, intellectual property, consumer, technology, health care, financial services, construction, and international trade conflicts.

In addition to education and training services for professionals, employees, government agencies, and consumers, the AAA offers case administration services and maintains panels of arbitrators and mediators.

The Scheinman Institute is the nation's first institute exclusively focused on the study and practice of workplace dispute resolution.

The Institute's mission is to educate the next generation of neutrals–arbitrators, mediators and facilitators–who can help resolve workplace disputes in a variety of settings.