The newsletter of the
Chicago Dispute Resolution Association

Winter 2009

Dear CIDRA Friends:

Welcome to the Newsletter of the Chicago International Dispute Resolution Association Winter 2009 edition. We present you with updates on relevant legal precedent, CIDRA speaker summaries and important news in the area of international commercial arbitration.

In this edition, we examine the Hague Convention on Choice of Courts Agreements and consider the potential impact it will have on international arbitration. We also analyze the principal mechanisms for resolving international commercial disputes through an article on “International Commercial Arbitration: ADR in cross-Border Business Disputes.” The article discusses the advantages and disadvantages of each mode of dispute resolution. In addition, we summarize recent, important court holdings related to arbitration appeals and awards. Also, we review CIDRA’s recent events and announce some upcoming events that you will not want to miss.

Finally, we welcome two new panelists to our membership ranks. We are pleased to introduce to you Hew R. Dundas and Michael Tselentis.

We appreciate your feed-back and look forward to publishing your articles or comments.

Peter V. Baugher

President
Chicago International Dispute Resolution Association

The newsletter of the Chicago Dispute Resolution Association

July 2008

CIDRA: Entering our second decade

Dear CIDRA Friends:

Welcome to the Newsletter of the Chicago International Dispute Resolution Association 2008 Summer edition.  We present you with updates on relevant legal precedent, CIDRA speaker summaries and important news in the area of international commercial arbitration.

We appreciate your feedback and look forward to publishing your articles or comments.  Please look for upcoming events and information at www.cidra.org.

In this edition, we examine the implications of the Supreme Court’s Hall Street decision on notions of party autonomy and “manifest disregard of the law” as a nonstatutory means of vacatur.  We also revisit alternative dispute resolution basics in a recent presentation at an Illinois State Bar Association seminar on Intellectual Property and International Law Issues in Representing a Globally Expanding Company. The paper is entitled “International Commercial Arbitration: ADR in Cross-Border Business Disputes.”

This year marks a period of growth for CIDRA. In its 11th year, CIDRA began 2008 by co-sponsoring the largest Chicago Mini-Moot competition turnout to date (7 regional law schools, over 40 arbitrators), hosting a variety of speakers, and collaborating with area law firms on various arbitral conferences.

In addition, we have added experienced arbitrators to the CIDRA panel. It is our pleasure to introduce you to CIDRA Arbitration Panelists Jeffrey W. Sarles (Chicago), Lawrence S. Schaner (Chicago) and R.K. Sanghi (India). Sadly, however, we also experienced a great loss this year. We mourn the passing of our friend and colleague Stephen Smith (Chicago Tribune Article). Our wishes go out to his family and friends.

We look forward to seeing you soon.

Peter V. Baugher
President
Chicago International Dispute Resolution Association