American Arbitration Association
The American Arbitration Association(AAA) describes itself as an organisation in the filed of 'alternative dispute resolution' by providing services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court[1].
- 'The AAA role in the dispute resolution process is to administer cases, from filing to closing. The AAA provides administrative services in the U.S., as well as abroad through its International Centre for Dispute Resolution ® (ICDR). The AAA's and ICDR's administrative services include assisting in the appointment of mediators and arbitrators, setting hearings, and providing users with information on dispute resolution options, including settlement through mediation. Ultimately, the AAA aims to move cases through arbitration or mediation in a fair and impartial manner until completion'.
The AAA also includes services for the 'design and development of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) systems for corporations, unions, government agencies, law firms, and the courts. The Association provides elections services as well as education, training, and publications'[2].
People
John D Feerick, who is on the Board of Directors for Wyeth pharmaceutical company, is reported to be an honorary member of the Board of Directors of the American Arbitration Association (where he was formerly the Chair)[3]. Feerick is also Director of Group Health Insurance and the Sentinel Mutual Funds. He is also a Trustee of New York Medical College and the Jesuit School of Theology at Berkeley. Feerick's biography describes how he is a Former Dean and Professor of Law at Fordham University School of Law (1982 until 2002 when he resumed a full professorship of law). He also served in a number of public positions, including membership on the New York State Law Revision Commission, Chairman of the New York State Commission on Government Integrity, and President of the Association of the Bar of the City of New York. He formerly chaired the Ethics Committee of the Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association and a joint committee of the American Bar Association, American Arbitration Association and the Society of Professionals in Dispute Resolution. He was a law practitioner (1961-1982) and Partner (1968-1982) with Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher and Flom. Feerick was appointed as a Special Master of Family Homelessness in New York City (in 2003) and as Chair of the New York State Commission to Promote Public Confidence in Judicial Elections (in 2003). Feerick was also a member of the New York State Judicial Salary Commission, the Committee to Promote Public Trust and Confidence in the Legal System, the New York State Mandatory Continuing Legal Education Committee and the Chief Judge's Corporate Advisory Group. His biography reports that he has also chaired a number of other New York State Committees on legal matters but does not disclose further details. He also served as a member of a task force that helped develop the Twenty-Fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution.
Public Relations and Lobbying
In 2008, the American Arbitration Association is listed as a client of MWW Group[4]
