Press Release
Duane Morris Partner Albert Bates Elected to American Arbitration Association Leadership Positions
PITTSBURGH, May 28, 2008 - Duane Morris LLP is pleased to announce that Albert Bates, Jr., a partner in the firm's Construction Group in its Pittsburgh office, has been appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Arbitration Association (AAA) and has been named chairman of the organization's National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee.
Bates was elected to the AAA's Board of Directors at its annual meeting in Washington, D.C. on May 8. The annual meeting concluded with a black tie reception and dinner at the U.S. Supreme Court hosted by Justice Samuel A. Alito, Jr. The Board of Directors of the AAA is composed of prominent senior executives and partners from the world's leading corporations, organizations, labor unions, government agencies, academic institutions and professional firms. The Board is called upon to provide input and guidance on the AAA's business strategy.
In addition, Bates was installed as the chairman of AAA's National Construction Dispute Resolution Committee (NCDRC) on May 7. The NCDRC advises and consults with the association on conflict management practices and dispute resolution services for the construction industry. It comprises representatives from more than 30 constituent organizations, including the American Bar Association, American Institute of Architects, Associated General Contractors of America, American Subcontractors Association, Surety & Fidelity Association of America, American College of Construction Lawyers, Associated Builders & Contractors, American Specialty Contractors, National Utility Contractors Association, American Society of Civil Engineers, Construction Financial Management Association, National Association of Surety & Bond Producers and many other prominent construction industry professional organizations.
Bates focuses his practice on construction litigation and U.S. and international arbitration matters. He has extensive litigation and arbitration experience, with an emphasis on the resolution of construction claims, commercial contract matters and other complex technical, environmental and business disputes. In addition to representing clients before various federal and state courts and before numerous arbitral tribunals, Bates regularly serves as an arbitrator and mediator. He has served as a neutral on more than 100 cases, ranging from small matters early in his career to cases with amounts in controversy approaching $100 million.
Bates is included in the 2007 and 2008 editions of The Best Lawyers in America in the field of Construction Law and has also been recognized as a Pennsylvania Super Lawyer by Philadelphia Magazine since 2004. Admitted to practice in Pennsylvania and the District of Columbia, he earned his J.D. in 1987 from Vanderbilt University School of Law, where he was associate articles editor of Vanderbilt Journal of Transnational Law. Bates graduated from Vanderbilt University's Owen Graduate School of Management (M.B.A., Finance) and earned his B.A., cum laude, from Washington & Jefferson College.
About Duane Morris
Duane Morris LLP, a full-service law firm of more than 650 attorneys, offers innovative solutions across diverse industries in the United States and internationally to address the legal and business challenges of today's evolving global markets.
About the American Arbitration Association
The global leader in conflict management since 1926, the American Arbitration Association is a not-for-profit, public service organization committed to the resolution of disputes through the use of arbitration, mediation, conciliation, negotiation, democratic elections and other voluntary procedures. In 2007, nearly 128,000 cases were filed with the Association in a full range of matters including commercial, construction, labor, employment, insurance, international and claims program disputes. Through 30 offices in the United States, Ireland, Mexico and Singapore, the AAA provides a forum for the hearing of disputes, rules and procedures and a roster of impartial experts to resolve cases. Find more information online at www.adr.org, or contact Wayne Kessler, Vice President, Corporate Communications, at 212.716.3975 or kesslerw@adr.org.
