Articles

Taking a seat at the table: Women neutrals underrepresented in some fields

In the field of alternative dispute resolution, diversity appears to be making fewer gains than in the legal profession as a whole. A 2018 article in the ABA Journal reported that, generally, studies show women comprising around 20% of the national ADR field. Similarly, American Bar Association Resolution 105 calls dispute resolution “arguably the least diverse corner of the profession.”

Read More

OneAmerica GC Zurek retires, joins Chicago firm

The long-serving general counsel of OneAmerica Financial has left the Indianapolis company and has transitioned to an of counsel role at a Chicago law firm. Thomas M. Zurek retired from OneAmerica on April 1 and is now serving as of counsel in the Chicago office of Schiff Hardin LLP. 

Read More

Supreme Court backs businesses, curbs class arbitration

An ideologically divided U.S. Supreme Court gave businesses more power to channel disputes into individual arbitration proceedings, siding with a lighting retailer trying to prevent its employees from pressing group claims stemming from a phishing attack.

Read More

Bank’s arbitration award reversed for abuse of discretion

A small claims court’s confirmation of an arbitration award to a bank after its ‘dilatory conduct’ was reversed Thursday by the Indiana Court of Appeals, which found an abuse of discretion occurred in granting the bank relief several years after the case should have been dismissed with prejudice.

Read More

COA sends houseboat dispute to arbitration

A dispute between the purchasers and supplier of a Daviess County houseboat must go to arbitration after an Indiana appellate panel determined a trial court ruling did not overrule an arbitration clause signed by both parties.

Read More

COA: Arbitration agreements in investment case enforceable

After a married couple that filed a complaint against their retirement investors for significant decreases in investment funds appealed a trial court order to compel arbitration, the Indiana Court of Appeals concluded arbitration agreements between the parties were enforceable and subject to the Federal Arbitration Act.

Read More

Court orders former Cracker Barrel manager to arbitration

A former Indiana Cracker Barrel manager who sued the restaurant chain for disability discrimination and retaliation must arbitrate her claims against the restaurant after a federal judge compelled the employee to comply with an arbitration agreement she claims she never signed.

Read More

Divided Supreme Court rules for businesses over workers

The U.S. Supreme Court ruled employers can prohibit workers from banding together to dispute their pay and conditions in the workplace, an important victory for business interests. The justices ruled 5-4 Monday, with the court’s conservative members in the majority, that businesses can force employees to individually use arbitration, not the courts, to resolve disputes.

Read More

Hill supports ending sexual harassment arbitration requirements

Indiana Attorney General Curtis Hill has joined with the attorneys general of all 50 states and other U.S. territories in support of federal legislation ending forced arbitration after incidents of workplace sexual harassment.The National Association of Attorneys General sent the letter voicing its support for such legislation to Congressional leaders Monday.

Read More