Alternative Dispute Resolution

GH&R attorneys actively pursue creative means of resolving clients' disputes. Taking disputes to court is only one option among many. Although we are active and experienced trial attorneys, our advocacy of our clients’ interests is strongest when we proactively pursue resolution of disputes through alternative, and many times more efficient and less expensive avenues.  We strategically evaluate the benefits of the various alternative dispute resolution (ADR) forums, including arbitration, mediation, collaborative law and other creative avenues. When these alternative measures meet with client objectives, we pursue a beneficial resolution zealously. We find that we are successful in efficiently resolving matters through these opportunities. We also realize that the percentage of cases that actually go to trial is small and the growing trend continues to move toward ADR and away from traditional jury trials. 

We are engaged in a wide variety of complex domestic and international arbitration proceedings before a variety of tribunals, including AAA, NASD, FMCS and JAMS.  We also have successfully arbitrated and mediated thousands of cases ranging from simple collection disputes to complex matters involving multi-state parties and international venues.  With the depth and breadth of experience of our human resources and litigation departments, we offer our clients skillful and effective advocates with a broad range of resources.  Additionally, many of our attorneys have honed their ADR skills as mediators and arbitrators in a variety of forums and substantive areas.  

Representative Matters

• Represent employers in labor arbitrations regarding collective bargaining interpretation.
  
• Defended local airport authority in a multi-million dollar claim pursued by a national contractor, resulting in no payment to the contractor.
  
• Represented U.S. and overseas parties in international arbitrations and mediations, including, most recently, an enforcement of a technology license agreement against a Korean multi-national corporation and defending against a contract claim on a project in Hong Kong.
  
• Obtained reversals of contractual arbitration awards in federal district courts.
  
• Represented environmental remediation subcontractor successfully in AAA arbitration with prime contractor that resulted in dismissal of contractor’s $10 million claim and award to client in excess of $2 million.
  
• Represented owners, design professionals, contractors and subcontractors, as well as other project participants in numerous arbitrations, mediations and other alternative dispute resolution forums.
  
• Successfully litigated a complex AAA Construction Claims Award on behalf of a contractor involving a multi-million dollar project. Successfully defended counterclaim for delay and completion damages.

We also assist those clients who wish to proactively minimize the uncertainties, risks and expenses associated with jury trials in drafting ADR provisions in general contract and employment agreements, personnel policies, employment applications and the like.

We are an active member of the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, an association of more than 500 companies, law firms and leaders from academia, the judiciary, government agencies and industry associations that is committed to the creative and practical use of alternative dispute resolution.