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Laura A. Athens
The 100th Anniversary of the Federal Arbitration Act: A Century of Dispute Resolution
By Lisa W. Timmons, Esq. Introduction The Federal Arbitration Act (FAA), enacted on February 12, 1925, has been a cornerstone of American dispute resolution for a century. It transformed arbitration from a seldom-used alternative into a central feature of the...
Laying the Foundation for Settlement with Ex Parte Communications
By Sheldon J. Stark – Mediator and Arbitrator Introduction Ex Parte communications are commonplace and completely ethical in the mediation process. Indeed, where “shuttle diplomacy” is the process model all communication is ex parte. In this paper,...
What Arbitrators Wish Advocates Knew: Best Practices for Labor and Employment Arbitration
By Lisa W. Timmons, Esq. Arbitration in labor and employment law presents unique challenges which require advocates to be strategic, precise, and respectful of both the process and the participants. Arbitrators in these cases often observe common missteps that...
Thoughts on the Mediator’s Proposal
By William D. Gilbride Jr. This article was first published in the Oakland County Legal Newson November 2024. Mediation is a private, voluntary dispute resolution process in which a neutral third party--either appointed by a court or invited by all parties to the...
Adverse Inferences in Arbitration
By Lee Hornberger,Arbitrator and Mediator This is an overview of adverse inferences in labor arbitration. This includes reviewing provider organization rules, labor arbitration awards, case law, and treatises on labor arbitration. American Arbitration Association...
The Role of a Process Arbitrator: Enhancing Efficiency and Collaboration
By Lisa W. Timmons, Esq. Arbitration, traditionally viewed as a streamlined alternative to court, is widely used in commercial, construction, and international disputes. Its appeal lies in its perceived efficiency, confidentiality, and potential cost savings....
Let’s Make A Deal: Planning and Managing Concessions – By Joseph C. Basta, Esq.
Joe Basta As a mediator and negotiation coach I am struck by how often parties and their lawyers fail to think through exactly what they wish to achieve in mediated settlement negotiations, much less how they plan to get there. You will set your goals as a negotiator...
The New Michigan Uniform Power of Attorney Act
Laura A. Athens The Michigan Uniform Power of Attorney Act (UPOAA), signed into law by Governor Gretchen Whitmer on November 7, 2023, took effect on July 1, 2024.[1] Michigan has joined 30 other states in adopting this model statute. The Act replaces the prior...
The Power of Mediation in Safeguarding Parental Rights and Combating Neglect and Abuse in Michigan
by Philip Schaedler Introduction In the realm of family law, Michigan, like many other states, grapples with the delicate balance between protecting parental rights and ensuring the safety and well-being of children. Cases involving allegations of parental neglect and...