Law symposium explores arbitration in the age of COVID-19

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Six arbitration experts from across the country joined the Penn State Law Arbitration Law Review’s annual symposium on February 24, 2021, to discuss the various ways in which the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the world of arbitration. Panelists explored a range of topics connected to arbitration law, including labor negotiations and disputes, financial regulation, Title IX, sports arbitration amidst a pandemic, and the efficacy of alternative dispute resolutions.

“The Arbitration Law Review editors have shown tremendous leadership in putting together this timely event and bringing in extraordinary panelists amid this year’s challenges,” said Hari M. Osofsky, dean of Penn State Law in University Park. “The symposium provided needed insights into how the important dispute resolution mechanism of arbitration has interacted with the COVID-19 and its forced pivots.”

Guest speakers included:

• Richard Bales, professor of law at Ohio Northern University Pettit College of Law, who presented on labor arbitration issues during a pandemic;
• Kristen Blankley, professor of law at the University of Nebraska College of Law, who presented on FINRA’s pandemic response in arbitration;
• Sarah Rudolph Cole, professor of law and Michael E. Moritz Chair in Alternative Dispute Resolution at The Ohio State University Moritz College of Law, who discussed what arbitration can teach universities about conducting Title IX hearings;
• Ylli Dautaj, managing partner of DER Legal, who examined the “fragmentation and judicialization” of international arbitration;
• Maureen Weston, professor of law and director of the Entertainment, Media, and Sports Dispute Resolution Project at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, who discussed sports arbitration in 2020; and
• Robert Boland, athletics integrity officer at Penn State, who presented on sports arbitration and other legal issues in the time of COVID-19.

“Arbitration is one of the key mechanisms through which we work through business and legal disputes, and the landscape has dramatically changed due to the global pandemic,” said Ginger Snapp, editor-in-chief of the Arbitration Law Review. “I am thankful to all of our panelists for joining our 2021 symposium and sharing their expertise on these important topics.”

The Penn State Law Arbitration Law Review is a student-edited publication that covers domestic U.S. developments in arbitration and periodically addresses transborder developments. The journal publishes scholarly articles delivered at its annual symposium, student pieces on recent case law and legislative enactments, and book reviews.