PALO ALTO, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center (SVAMC), a leading not-for-profit that advances the use of arbitration and mediation in technology and technology-related business disputes in the San Francisco Bay Area and around the world, today released its highly anticipated 2016 List of the World’s Leading Technology Neutrals. Thirty-two professionals were named to this year’s list, nearly half based in Silicon Valley and the rest working in other key markets around the world including New York, Hong Kong, and Sydney.
“Selecting just 32 neutrals proved particularly challenging this year, as the number of professionals operating at the very top of the field has grown significantly as alternative dispute resolution sees rising adoption as the go-to means of dispute resolution by technology companies not only in the United States but globally,” said Gary L. Benton, Chairman of SVAMC. “We’re pleased that by publishing this annual list, we can continue to help law firms, companies, and organizations in the ADR space save time and other valuable resources.”
With litigation a significant cost that diverts vital resources from innovation, both U.S. and non-U.S. high tech, telecommunications, life sciences, and other technology sector companies are increasingly turning to alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to control legal costs, avoid lengthy court cases, and add predictability to resolving business disputes. A typical U.S. patent suit takes three to five years to reach a final judgment and, according to the latest American Intellectual Property Association (AIPLA) Economic Survey, costs parties, on average, a total of $2 million to $6 million. International disputes can take even longer and face additional complications before and after judgment. The SVAMC plans to significantly expand the representation of neutrals operating from Europe and Asia on its annual list in the years ahead.
The SVAMC list is used by law firms, corporations, and ADR institutions as a go-to roster of exceptionally experienced and talented neutrals who ‘”get” technology and, just as importantly, possess a deep understanding of the tech business world. All appointees are members of a recognized U.S. or international arbitral or mediation institution panel and are ranked for superior expertise in resolving technology disputes, including technology development and distribution, intellectual property, corporate, finance, trade regulation, and other tech sector commercial matters.
The list is peer-vetted and includes only the most exceptionally qualified arbitrators and mediators, known for their skill in crafting business-practical legal solutions in the technology sector. These professionals have collectively handled thousands of successful mediations and arbitrations.
The appointees to the 2016 “Tech List” of leading neutrals are:
Philip Argy (Sydney)
William Baker (New York)
Ray Bender (Washington, DC)
Gary Benton (SF/Silicon Valley)
Thomas Brewer (Seattle)
Maria Chedid (SF/Silicon Valley)
Chris Compton (SF/Silicon Valley)
Michael Diamant (Cleveland)
George Finkle (Seattle)
Stephen Gilbert (New York)
George Graff (New York)
Naomi Jane Gray (SF/Silicon Valley)
James Grossman (SF/Silicon Valley)
Thomas Halket (New York)
Ben Hughes (Seoul)
Sherman Kahn (New York)
Laura Kaster (Princeton)
James Madison (SF/Silicon Valley)
Pete Michaelson (New York)
Robert Morrill (SF/Silicon Valley)
Susan Nycum (SF/Silicon Valley)
Merriann Panarella (Boston)
Charles Ragan (SF/Silicon Valley)
Harrie Samaras (Philadelphia)
David Sandborg (SF, Hong Kong)
Lester Schiefelbein (SF/Silicon Valley)
Neil Smith (SF/Silicon Valley)
Yarko Sochynsky (SF/Silicon Valley)
William Tanenbaum (New York)
Roderick Thompson (SF/Silicon Valley)
Vicki Veenker (SF/Silicon Valley)
Maurice Zilber (SF/Silicon Valley)
About Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center:
SVAMC is a non-profit serving the global technology sector through educational programming and related activities. SVAMC works with leading technology companies, law firms, ADR institutions and universities in Silicon Valley and around the globe to promote effective and efficient resolution of technology-related business disputes. Visit www.siliconvalleyarbitration.org for additional information.
