From AI to Talking Shop, the College of Commercial Arbitrators Runs the Gamut of Cutting-Edge Arbitration Topics at Annual Gathering
WASHINGTON D.C. – The College of Commercial Arbitrators gathered in Washington D.C. October 24 – 26, 2023 for its Annual Meeting. The theme for the 2023 meeting was “Learning From One Another: Sharpening Our Arbitral Skills.” The number of Fellows who registered, including spouses, totaled 202, a record high.
Over the course of three days, Fellows had the opportunity to attend several plenary sessions and hear from a wide variety of speakers on everything from ethical obligations for arbitrators and parties alike to the potential impact of artificial intelligence on arbitration.
Here are some of the topics that were discussed:
- Plenary #1 – A Conversation with the American Arbitration Association’s New President & CEO, Hon. Bridget M. McCormack
Moderator: Ann Ryan Robertson, Houston, TX
Featured Guest: Hon. Bridget M. McCormack
- Plenary #2 – What’s New? 2023 CCA Annual Arbitration Update
Moderators: Rebecca Callahan, Newport Beach, CA
and Steven Skulnik, New York, NY
Presenters: Our 2023 New Fellows
- Plenary #3 – Learning From One Another: Talking Shop Together
Moderator: Thomas J. Brewer, Bainbridge Island, WA
Panelists:
Richard Chernick, Los Angeles, CA
Nancy F. Lesser, Washington, DC
Hon. Christi L. Underwood (ret.), Winter Park, FL
Richard F. Ziegler, New York, NY
- Plenary #4 – We Know Our Ethical Obligations, But How About Theirs? The Ethical Obligations of Arbitration Witnesses, Parties and Arbitration Providers
Moderator: Mark A. Kantor, Washington, DC
Panelists: Jennifer Kirby, (Virtual from Paris, France) Gordon W. Netzorg, Denver, CO
- Plenary #5 – It’s Here and Evolving Before Our Eyes: The Potential Impact of AI on Arbitration
Moderator: David Huebner, Los Angeles, CA
Panelists: David Cowen, Charles River Associates, Plano, TX Brian D. Farkus, ArentFox Schiff LLP, New York, NY Alex Levinson, Scale AI, Inc., San Francisco, CA
- Plenary #6 – ADR Ethics Practicum
Facilitator: Eugene I. Farber, White Plains, NY
“What differentiated this year’s annual meeting from others was our emphasis on (i) presenting plenaries that focused on what valuable tips and lessons each of the Fellows can offer to one another; (ii) having a substantive Q&A session with the new CEO and President of the American Arbitration Association, Bridget McCormack; (iii) including our New Fellows as presenters in the Arbitration Case Law Update; and (iv) offering two cutting-edge experts in AI, Alex Levinson and David Cowen, who explained in simple terms the development of AI and its present and potential impact on commercial arbitration,” noted the CCA’s Immediate Past President, Neal M. Eiseman, who presided over the meeting.
The next 2024 CCA Annual Meeting is planned for October 24 – 26, 2024 in Carlsbad, California.
More about CCA
CCA is an invitation-only, professional organization established in 2001. The CCA Fellows include the most accomplished arbitrators in the United States and have the professional training, judgment, and experience to undertake the most complex and difficult commercial arbitration assignments. To learn more about CCA or find an arbitrator for your commercial dispute needs, please visit https://www.ccarbitrators.org/.
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