Driving Diversity & Inclusion in ADR


Longstanding Commitment
The AAA-ICDR® has been advancing diversity and inclusion in the ADR field since the 1960s with the establishment of the National Center for Dispute Settlement to help ease urban crises through arbitration and mediation.

Today our efforts continue to center on actively recruiting highly qualified women and minority arbitrators and mediators to serve on the AAA-ICDR National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, assist in leading education programs, and share their expertise in publications and other media.
 

Support and Governance
The AAA-ICDR governance structure fosters and supports diversity in the ADR field. The AAA-ICDR Council's Diversity & Inclusion Committee of legal and ADR professionals provides insight into the marketplace, and the internal Diversity & Inclusion Committee of AAA executives and staff coordinates initiatives and collaborate with firms and organizations.
 

Impact
Focused efforts have led to significant increases in the percentage of female and minority members on the AAA-ICDR Roster and in the percentage of diverse panelists appointed to hear AAA-ICDR-administered cases.

Panel
Outreach
ADR Pipeline

Diversity and Inclusion

Panel

As of the end of 2020:

  • 27% of active panel members are women and minorities.*
  • 51% of new additions to the AAA-ICDR Roster are women and minorities.

*This reflects the full Roster, including specialty panels.

Outreach

The AAA-ICDR co-sponsors, organizes, funds, hosts, and supports numerous minority bar associations, law schools, and trade groups around the country through the following: 

  • Partnering Efforts  
  • Diversity-Related Events 

Diversity and Inclusion

ADR Pipeline


Discovering, developing, and advancing inclusivity for the next generation of arbitrators and mediators is central to the AAA-ICDR’s mission and crucial to the future of a diverse ADR community. Two significant programs provide training and mentoring for up-and-coming diverse professionals and law students:

  • Higginbotham Fellows Program 
  • Diversity Student ADR Summit