The Institute of Legal Reform, an arm of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, released a study today that offers further evidence that arbitration can be beneficial to consumers in their disputes with businesses. According to the report, at www.instituteforlegalreform.com/media/pressreleases/20080715.cfm, consumers fare better in arbitration than in litigation: “The new analysis, conducted by Navigant Consulting, looked … Continue reading Latest Empirical Study Supports Use of Consumer Arbitration →

The Daily Labor Report had this story today about objections from labor law attorneys to the proposed Employee Free Choice Act: “The mandatory first contract arbitration provision of the proposed Employee Free Choice Act (H.R. 800/S. 1041) has a “constitutional problem” and if enacted will be challenged in court, a management attorney said June 10. … Continue reading Lawyer Criticizes Employee Free Choice Act due to impact on Labor Arbitration →

ADRworld.com reports that both houses of Congress have passed a bill that, if signed by the President, will add a new section on the use of arbitration agreements to Title II of the Packers and Stockyards Act (7 U.S.C. 198 et seq.). The provisions will permit a producer or grower to opt out of arbitration … Continue reading Farm Bill Allows Farmers to Opt Out of Arbitration →

Penn Plaza filed its merits brief in the Pyett case on May 5, 2008. For the brief, see http://www.abanet.org/publiced/preview/briefs/unscheduled.html In the brief, Penn Plaza argues that the Federal Arbitration Act does not treat individual arbitration agreements differently than agreements negotiated collectively. As a result, statutory authority does not support the Second Circuit’s decision. According to … Continue reading Penn Plaza Argues for Enforcement of Arbitration Agreement in Merits Brief →

Jean Sternlight, Saltman Professor, UNLV Boyd School of Law & Director Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution, brought to my attention the Second Circuit’s recent decision in Ross v. Bank of America, — F.3d —-, 2008 WL 1836640 (C.A.2 (N.Y.). According to Jean: “[I]t is the most important victory in recent years for consumers seeking to … Continue reading Ross v. Bank of America: Important Victory for Consumers Subject to Arbitration Provisions →

Rick Bales reports on Labor Prof blog at http://lawprofessors.typepad.com/laborprof_blog/2008/03/amicus-opportun.html that: Imre Szalai (California Western) is organizing an amicus brief of law professors to be filed in Vaden v. Discover Bank, 07-773. Vaden presents the issue, as described by SCOTUSBlog, of whether a suit seeking to enforce an arbitration obligation under state law is within the … Continue reading Opportunity to Participate in Vaden Amicus Brief →