ILRLR 6019 - Dispute Resolution Practicum

Spring. 4 credits. Letter grades only.

Co-meets with ILRLR 4019.

Staff.

This course has the purpose of linking classroom discussion and analysis of arbitration, and related dispute resolution techniques with opportunities for students to participate and observe arbitration cases conducted under the auspices of the Scheinman Institute on Conflict Resolution. The course is designed to be an advanced seminar for ILR graduate and undergraduate and Cornell law students who have a serious interest in working in arbitration, mediation, or other third-party procedures. Classroom discussions and readings will focus on labor arbitration (i.e., the use of arbitration in unionized settings) and employment arbitration (i.e., the use of arbitration in cases involving nonunion employees). Several sessions of the course will be devoted to the use of dispute resolution in other arenas, including commercial and securities disputes. The effectiveness of arbitration as techniques for resolving conflict will be assessed and lessons will be drawn about the best practices used by neutrals, advocates and parties.

Students will also participate in Cornell’s pioneering ADR Scrimmage Series. Scrimmages involve student teams competing in arbitration cases involving students from other law schools and universities. Ohio State, Michigan State, Missouri, Stanford and Illinois teams are expected to participate. Through participation and observation of intercollegiate arbitration cases, enrich the student’s understanding of how advocates prepare and present cases and how arbitrators decide them.