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Showing posts from April, 2022

Litigation-I Win, You Lose vs. Mediation-Win/Win

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  Litigation is a zero-sum game.  It destroys relationships and fosters enmity between the parties.  Parties rarely walk away happy.  Even if they win, the expense of litigation is enormous, and collecting on judgments is difficult. Disputes ultimately resolve, but the focus on winning at any cost can lead to prolonged legal battles.  Living with a lawsuit causes ongoing stress, which can distract you from your business and even have an effect on your health. In a courtroom, the final decision lies with a judge or jury who may not fully grasp the complexities of the case. Parties relinquish control over the outcome, potentially leaving them dissatisfied with the final judgment. Mediation has the opposite effect.   Rather than polarizing people, it enables the parties to attack the issues and not each other.     The process promotes open communication, collaboration and problem-solving, which enables parties to actively participate in crafting mutually beneficial solutions.   It res

Is Your Construction Arbitrator Biased?

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  The first thing clients ask me when we start choosing an arbitrator is: “What is the arbitrator’s reputation?   What is the arbitrator’s background?”   In other words, “Is the arbitrator biased?” Honestly, in my thirty-four years of experience, I can’t say that I have ever encountered an arbitrator who was biased in favor of builders, owners, subcontractors or suppliers.   Most try to be fair and apply the law.   However, we still try to “game” the system by considering the arbitrator’s background and whether it may unconsciously cause him/her to lean in a specific direction.    Even if that’s the case, it is the arbitrator’s ethical duty to draft an award that is based on the facts and the law. One’s background does influence perception.   We try to remain neutral, but if an arbitrator’s experience is mainly in representing developers, it may be difficult to understand the general contractor’s point of view.   Can your arbitrator set aside past experience and judge the matter fa