With the increasing number of alternative dispute resolution options available, decision makers need to know ADR's benefits as a substitute for, or as a supplement to, litigation in the federal and state courts.

The firm has long recognized that the cost and time expenditure often associated with litigation does not always serve the best interests of the client. We constantly seek new and creative ways to resolve problems quickly and efficiently. Alternative dispute resolution (ADR), including mediation, arbitration, early case evaluation mechanisms and mini-trials, is one way to accomplish that goal.

Our litigators frequently use ADR to resolve disputes around the world. As international trade and investment expand, the number of commercial disputes that cross international boundaries grows. These disputes can be complex, often involving varied legal systems.

We encourage our corporate lawyers to plan ahead and incorporate mediation and arbitration clauses into contracts when appropriate so that if a dispute arises, the parties can avoid lengthy court battles. We also encourage the use of ADR when disputes arise without a previous agreement.

We recognize, however, that not every situation is suitable for alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, and we work closely with our clients to determine how to best meet their needs, depending upon the relationship between the parties to the dispute, the jurisdiction, the law and other factors. Every litigator is trained in the special advocacy skills needed for success in the mediation and arbitration contexts. Many of our litigators serve on the American Arbitration Association's panel of arbitrators and mediators as well as the panels of other similar organizations.

As advocates in alternative dispute resolution forums, we have handled cases that include: construction, energy, health care, intellectual property, licensing, computer hardware and software contracts, telecommunication disputes, professional malpractice, partnership disputes and complex commercial contract disputes.

As arbitrators, we have recently presided over construction disputes, partnership dissolutions, real estate valuation disputes, disputes between providers of telephone service, covenants not to compete, a dispute over the sale of an airline and a dispute over an investment hedge fund. We also provide counsel and advice to our clients in neutrals for alternative dispute resolution.

Virtually all Powell Goldstein litigation attorneys have ADR experience. For assistance, please contact Karen Wildau in our Atlanta office at 404.572.6962.

Together, we have:

• Arbitrated a breach of contract case involving a $400,000,000 power marketing contract
• Arbitrated complex disputes relating to adjustments to the purchase price of various computer companies and defeated attempts to vacate the award
• Mediated a multimillion dollar contractual dispute between a major institutional food servicer and eight hospitals
• Handled a lengthy arbitration involving a dispute between an insurer and the company's top agent over millions of dollars of commissions
• Handled a dispute between a county contractor and a former county employee that caused a former high-profile county official to be convicted for corruption in office
• Arbitrated a dispute between two life insurance companies over a reinsurance agreement
• Arbitrated the effect of change of control provisions on the termination of former executives whose positions were eliminated when their employer was acquired
• Arbitrated numerous matters involving claims of trade secret misappropriation
• Represented an Anglo-French-German satellite and aerospace manufacturer in an arbitration before the International Chamber of Commerce
• Prosecuted multi-million dollar claims in an arbitration on behalf of a large French company arising out of the privatization of a utility in Argentina before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes
• Prosecuted claims of an industrial heavy equipment supplier in an arbitration arising out of a concession agreement before the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment disputes
• Sent a member of our group to serve the National Tobacco Arbitration Panel as arbitrator for 16 states and Puerto Rico
• Tried arbitrations of complex securities law claims
• Successfully mediated a patent infringement case involving injection structure blow molding technology used in modeling plastic containers such as water and soft drink bottles