The anti-consumer arbitration movement is coming to a theatre (and TV screen) near you. HBO just acquired the rights to air, after its Oscar-qualifying theatrical run, the documentary “Hot Coffee,” which premiered at the Sundance Festival in Park City, Utah last week. The documentary tells the story of the woman who obtained a $2.7 million … Continue reading Documentary film at Sundance festival decries tort system and mandatory arbitration →

From Jen Reynolds at the University of Oregon School of Law. The University of Oregon recently announced that Michael Moffitt will become the next Dean of the Law School later this year.  Oregon is seeking applications from faculty for either a visiting or permanent appointment with an emphasis in ADR.  The Law School will begin … Continue reading Opening(s) at the University of Oregon →

Last week, France adopted a new law on arbitration, Decree No. 2011-48 dated January 13, 2011. The law, the first French reform of arbitration law since the 1980s, codifies existing case law, reaffirms the French legal system’s support of arbitration, and seeks to establish France as a leader in the field of international arbitration. In … Continue reading France Adopts New Arbitration Law →

In a remarkably short time period, the Securities and Exchange Commission approved a proposed rule change filed by FINRA to provide investors with the option of selecting an all public arbitrator panel in arbitrations filed against their brokers or brokerage firms in FINRA’s Dispute Resolution forum. Thus, customer claimants have the option of eliminating an … Continue reading SEC Approves All Public Panel Option for FINRA Customer Arbitrations →

A lesbian couple settled their lawsuit against their Minnesota high school and school district over the weekend according to the ABA Journal and Minnesota papers, the St. Paul Pioneer Press and The Minneapolis Star Tribune.  The students had sued for the right to walk into their school’s Snow Days Pep Fest as a couple after both were elected to the royalty court.  Previously … Continue reading Lesbian Couple and MN High School Reach a Mediated(?) Settlement in Snow Festival Case →

According to CNN (report here) Dennis Kucinich has settled his lawsuit against the House of Representatives cafeteria, which allegedly served him an olive mistakenly advertised as sans pit.  The pit in question caused the member of congress in question to chip his tooth, the story reports, and the MoC then had to undergo what sounded … Continue reading Dennis Kucinich Settles Dispute Over Olive →

It must be award season as CPR recently announced its award winners, which Michael hinted at earlier.  Below are the academic winners, I’ll have the law firm winners in a subsequent post.  Since the CPR website is in the shop for repairs, there are no links to the announcements.  Category I – Outstanding Practical Achievement College … Continue reading CPR Announces Award Winners →

The ABA DR Section has just announced winners of a number of awards that will be handed out during the annual meeting in Denver in April.  D’Alemberte-Raven Award  – John Feerick, Fordham Law School (press release here) Lawyer as Problem Solver Award – The College of Commercial Arbitrators (press release here) Award for Outstanding Scholarly … Continue reading ABA DR Section Announces Award Winners →

At the encouragement of David White (Seton Hall), I took USA Network’s website quiz designed to tell me if I have the potential to be a mediator. The screenshot below will give you all the information you need: I’ve been called a lot of things.  “Magnificent” hadn’t been one of them until this evening. I … Continue reading I have promise as a mediator — the internet said so →