During the past several decades, many businesses have selected arbitration as an alternative method for resolving many types of commercial disputes.  As a result, numerous commercial contracts and licensing agreements include a clause requiring arbitration as the exclusive method for resolving disputes

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Overview

During the past several decades, many businesses have selected arbitration as an alternative method for resolving many types of commercial disputes.  As a result, numerous commercial contracts and licensing agreements include a clause requiring arbitration as the exclusive method for resolving disputes

While no single method of dispute resolution is right for every type of dispute or problem, Perkins Coie litigators have extensive experience representing clients in domestic and international arbitrations and in related trial and appellate court proceedings throughout the United States.

More information about our various arbitration services and experience is here:

While no single method of dispute resolution is right for every type of dispute or problem, Perkins Coie litigators have extensive experience representing clients in domestic and international arbitrations and in related trial and appellate court proceedings throughout the United States.

More information about our various arbitration services and experience is here:

U.S. Arbitration

Perkins Coie litigators have extensive experience in domestic arbitrations and many of our litigators have been appointed as arbitrators by organizations that sponsor alternative dispute resolution.

Our background includes helping clients effectively resolve commercial disputes before the American Arbitration Association, National Association of Securities Dealers, New York Stock Exchange and state and federal courts.  We bring that experience to bear when representing litigants in arbitrations.

Although arbitrations are a method of resolving disputes outside of traditional courts, state and federal courts sometimes decide critical issues that affect arbitration proceedings. When a party required to arbitrate a dispute chooses instead to file an action in court, the opposing party may ask the court to compel arbitration.

Additionally, a court may get involved in an arbitration proceeding when a party requests early "discovery in aid of arbitration" or seeks a temporary restraining order or a preliminary injunction in order to preserve a party's rights pending an arbitration decision on the merits.

After an arbitration has concluded, parties routinely request that a trial court vacate or confirm the arbitration award.  Arbitration decisions of trial courts on issues such as these may be appealed and in this way reach federal and state appellate courts.

Our arbitration litigators have frequent success in persuading courts to compel arbitration, in some instances by reversing a trial court that refused to order arbitration.  At the other end of the arbitration process, our arbitration litigators also have succeeded in vacating arbitration awards unfavorable to our clients.

International Arbitration

The globalization of business has led increasingly to the resolution of commercial disputes through international arbitration.  Perkins Coie represents clients in ad hoc international arbitrations as well as those conducted under the rules of every major arbitral institution, including investor-state arbitrations under the International Centre for the Settlement of Investment Disputes.

With more than 30 lawyers experienced in representing companies in a variety of international commercial and investment treaty arbitrations, we regularly advise clients at each stage of the process.

Sophisticated clients recognize that little of the actual work on an international arbitration occurs at the seat of arbitration.  Our U.S. clients in particular have found it more cost-effective to retain Perkins Coie to develop the evidence for international arbitrations rather than relying exclusively on international counsel located in high-priced markets.

Experienced across a variety of industries and legal claims, Perkins Coie has a deep background in handling disputes on behalf of manufacturers involving complex technical or engineering issues.  Our clients’ matters frequently require adherence to export and controlled goods regulations, such as the U.S. International Traffic in Arms Regulations.

Managing Arbitrations Worldwide

When representing clients in the arbitral process, Perkins Coie attorneys regularly draft arbitration clauses for international business transactions, prepare risk assessments, mediate, conduct arbitration proceedings, and enforce or challenge arbitral awards.

The review of documents, interviews of company witnesses, preparation of witness statements, and drafting of submissions all typically occur at or near where the client is located, not at the arbitral seat.

Indeed, arbitrators frequently do not reside at the seat and may conduct procedural and even witness hearings at locations more convenient for the parties.  Where strategically advantageous, we associate with specialist counsel located at the arbitral seat.

Legal disciplines and claims in which we have represented clients include: breach of contract, gross negligence, willful misconduct, fraud, trade secret misappropriation, intellectual property violations, product liability, competition law violations and insurance coverage.

We provide comprehensive litigation counsel and have frequently succeeded in persuading courts to compel arbitration; at the other end of the arbitration process, Perkins Coie litigators have also succeeded in vacating arbitration awards unfavorable to our clients.

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