By: Kendall Innes
The American Arbitration Association – Center for international dispute resolution® (AAA-ICDR®) recently launched the women arbitrators Resource Group, an initiative aimed at enhancing the role of women in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). The program will provide a supportive community that provides training, mentoring, and networking opportunities for female arbitrators and aspiring women in the field who identify as women. In addition, the group will promote growth, build community, support and highlight excellence among the courts.
The creation of the group was led by AAA Judges Diana Cruz, Saloni Mafani and Sasha S. Philip, who recognized the unique challenges facing women in the field of ADR. Noting the prevailing expectation that arbitrators should be predominantly male, Mavani emphasized the group’s mission of normalizing the presence of skilled female arbitrators and mediators, challenging and changing norms. Mavani said: “in my experience as a lawyer, women are underrepresented… It is very important that there are opportunities or some efforts to create greater access for women as arbitrators and mediators”.
AAA-ICDR’s women arbitrators Resource Group will break down barriers faced by women arbitrators by offering specialized programs, networking events, and a mentoring program. These initiatives will enhance the professional capabilities of women judges and establish a culture in which their expertise is valued based on merit rather than gender.
In the context of addressing the isolation felt by arbitrators, Mavani emphasized the importance of creating a collegial environment. Mavani added: “arbitration can be a lonely field … One of our main goals is to provide a safe space for the courts to exchange ideas.”The pandemic has increased this isolation, making supportive networks more important than ever for professional success and satisfaction,” Cruz added.
Mentoring is an essential element of the group’s strategy, where new female arbitrators are paired with experienced professionals. The mentoring program will help in personal and professional development, encourage an environment of exchange and learning. Cruz noted the urgent need to support new female arbitrators through the complexities of Arbitration, to ensure that they are ready to excel from the very beginning. “There is a great need to support our newest courts by mentoring experienced people who can guide them through the process of being new to the field while providing exceptional customer service,”she said.
Expressing these sentiments, Filip highlighted the mentoring program’s role in demystifying the arbitration process for newbies, ranging from scheduling preliminary hearings to dealing with complex legal disputes. Mavani noted the ambiguous nature of arbitration, noting that thanks to the guidance of experienced professionals, beginners can overcome obstacles more effectively, paving the way for a more extensive and accessible field of ADR.
“A good mentor will become your biggest cheerleader,” Cruz said, explaining how mentors can become vital supporters for their trainees in the ADR community.
The group also advocates for diversity of thought, recognizing the valuable contributions that divergent points of view bring to problem solving and decision-making in conflict resolution. Philip emphasized the benefits of the diversity of the list of arbitrators for companies and the field of ADR more generally.
