Speaker, New Jersey Institute for Continuing Legal Education, "Everything You Wanted to Know About Arbitration," New Brunswick, NJ

Arbitration – is it the missing weapon in your legal arsenal?

Arbitration skills are crucial for New Jersey attorneys. Although the Superior Court handles hundreds of thousands of cases every year, only a relatively small percentage of these – about 2% – ever reach a judge for trial. A great many are resolved through various dispute resolution processes, including arbitration.

Arbitration is mandatory statewide for civil cases involving automobile negligence, personal injury, contracts and commercial matters, products liability and personal injury protection suits against one’s own insurance carrier for unpaid insurance benefits. Even when it is not mandatory, it is an option utilized by many litigants because it circumvents the expensive litigation process and can save both time and money.

A panel of experienced retired judges, arbitrators and practitioners will provide you with vital information and lay the foundation for solid arbitration skills. They will discuss what cases must be arbitrated, when arbitration is a good option in a non-mandatory case and how to properly prepare for a hearing. They will talk through factors to consider when setting a goal for the award, review the rules and procedures both for pre-arbitration proceedings and for the hearing, and discuss the appeals process in non-binding matters and in the few circumstances in which a binding arbitration can be appealed. They will also discuss the most important clauses in arbitration clauses, including the latest involving non-disclosure agreements in employment contracts.