CIArb Seattle Chapter Relaunch Recap

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: CIArb NAB Communications Committee
Communications@CIArbNAB.com

SEATTLE —The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) North America Branch Chair, Ambassador (Ret.), David Huebner, C.Arb, FCIArb, headlined CIArb Seattle Chapter’s Relaunch, “ADR For A Modern Economy,” at the law firm Davis Wright Tremaine in Seattle on October 22, 2019 highlighting Seattle’s vibrant, diverse and growing economy and the unique efficiencies alternative dispute resolution (ADR) provides during times of economic uncertainty.

“Alternative dispute resolution, beginning with diplomacy, enforceable through arbitration and often resolved through mediation is uniquely suited to serve international commercial interests even when bilateral relations and cooperation may remain uncertain,” said Huebner. Further, “Seattle’s economy has historically attracted entrepreneurs, innovators and new ways of doing old business. Seattle has capitalized by providing the commercial and legal infrastructure to encourage and sustain inbound and outbound channels of international trade and commerce to great effect. Together, Seattle and ADR create a modern economy worthy of international attention,” he added.

The Relaunch was organized by the Seattle Chapter Steering Committee and featured Govinda Jayasinghe, RealNetworks Associate General Counsel, and Rob Maguire, Davis Wright Tremaine Partner and Litigation Chair, with music by, “The Miles and Karina Trio.” The event attracted approximately 50 attendees which ranged from law students and young associates to retired federal and state judges with ADR provider organizations, mid-level practitioners and trade professionals in between.

CIArb has been promoting the virtues of international ADR including diplomacy, arbitration and mediation to resolve international commercial disputes for over 100 years. Seattle is home to Microsoft, Amazon, Starbucks, Nordstrom, Costco, T-Mobile, REI, Alaska Air and Expedia, corporate world headquarters, among others. Together, CIArb’s international ADR expertise coupled with Seattle’s robust economy, made the CIArb Seattle Chapter Relaunch a logical “lift,” according to CIArb NAB Seattle Chapter Chair and Young Members Group Steering Committee Member, Bryan J. Branon. “ADR is the international language of commercial dispute resolution,” said Branon. “Much like Seattle corporations have defied conventional ways of doing business, so too, ADR defies conventional principles of law. Seemingly divergent principles of self-determination, autonomy and sovereignty are balanced with reciprocity, comity and custom. Together they create a recognized, enforced and trusted international rule of law that is ADR,” he added. The Seattle Chapter will host the NAB Tech ADR Summit in March highlighting the Seattle Chapter’s expertise in technology and ADR. To learn more or to get involved visit www.ciarbnab.com.

About CIArb NAB Seattle Chapter

The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators Seattle Chapter was relaunched on October 22, 2019 after a period of inactivity and upon CIArb NAB Chair, Amb. (Ret.) David Huebner, C.Arb., FCIArb, appointment of Bryan J. Branon, Chair. Bryan assembled a diverse Steering Committee of national leaders in the field who hope to continue to spotlight Seattle’s vibrant economy, robust economic growth and respected rule of law to the CIArb international audience. The Steering

Committee consists of:

Stew Cogan, Arbitrator, Mediator
Phil Cutler, Cutler ADR, Arbitrator, Mediator, Special Master
Peter Day, FCIArb, Mercer Island Arbitration Chambers International, Arbitrator, Educator (Univ. of WA School of Law), Consultant (Washington)
Ramina Dehkhoda-Steele, Partner-in-Charge, Wong Fleming (Washington), Practice Chair – Commercial Litigation Practice Group (National)
Brian Esler, Partner, Miller, Nash, Graham & Dunn, Co-Chair, Commercial Litigation
(Washington)
Sasha Phillip, Principal, Phillip Mediation and ADR, Arbitrator, Mediator, Lecturer (Univ. of WA School of Law), Past-Chair, Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference

CIArb Seattle Chapter Relaunch Snapshot:

• Approximately 50 attendees , over 80 RSVP’d
• Diverse Interest/Attendees ranging from nine law students to retired federal and state judges with associates, law clerks and managing partners in between. Solos, AAA, FINRA, ICC, JAMS and affiliated arbitrators and users were all in attendance. Three of four presenters were “diverse” as defined by WA state law.
• Fun – Attendees stayed past the 7:30 closing time and past the speeches which ran over in time. The Miles & Karina Trio performed as well.
• The Relaunch attracted approximately 19 New CIArb NAB Members approximately doubling the size of the Seattle Chapter in roughly two months.
• Nine Seattle CIArb Student Members means Seattle will be well represented at the newly established NAB Young Members Group (YMG).
• Over 250 invitations sent. While the Relaunch didn’t attract 250 attendees, “ADR For A Modern Economy,” came pretty close! CIArb NAB’s name is now in the ADR conscience of Seattle’s legal and business community.
• People are inspired and want more CIArb! That means CIArb Seattle Chapter’s work doesn’t stop. Registration for the CIArb NAB Tech ADR Summit which will be livestreamed from Microsoft’s World Headquarters is scheduled to open in January, 2020.
• CIArb NAB Chair, David Huebner summarized, “… I could not have imagined a better first event for the rebooted chapter …”