Wargo & French’s Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") practice was developed to assist our clients in managing conflict in today’s litigious business environment. Many companies are learning the hard way that a successful organization must be able to respond to all business disputes promptly and effectively. The existence of claims and litigation should not be the only reason to consider ADR. Proactive solutions, such as implementing an effective ADR program and enforcing existing contractual obligations through ADR processes, can substantially reduce the likelihood that your company will face future lawsuits, multiple-plaintiff claims or class actions.

ADR mechanisms generally resolve conflict in a manner that reduces the cost, delay and unpredictability inherent in traditional litigation, while at the same time maintaining confidentiality between the parties, preserving relationships and allowing for creative solutions.

Wargo & French specializes in working with organizations and their legal departments to deliver a full array of ADR services. Our experience includes:

• Conflict management program design, implementation, and administration (such as the development of ADR, early case assessment, and litigation management programs).
  
  
• Representation of clients in domestic and international ADR proceedings, such as mediations and arbitrations.
  
  
• Representation of clients in state and federal courts in actions to confirm arbitration awards pursuant to federal and state laws.
  
  
• Representation of clients in state and federal courts in actions relating to the enforcement of arbitration clauses.
  
  
• Acting as a certified arbitrator and mediator in a variety of commercial disputes.

Wargo & French has assisted national and international clients in the development, implementation and administration of successful ADR programs to resolve a variety of commercial disputes. For example, Wargo & French:

• Developed the Wargo & French Arbitration Team, which focuses on building systems for managing clients’ disputes through the use of a variety of ADR mechanisms. Through this program, Wargo & French has successfully and efficiently resolved thousands of disputes on behalf of its clients.
  
  
• Developed an ADR program to resolve all customer disputes for a worldwide office equipment and supply company and assisted in drafting an arbitration clause that has been enforced in every jurisdiction in which it has been challenged. Wargo & French currently manages all customer disputes for this corporation and has successfully arbitrated thousands of disputes over the past nine years.
  
  
• Developed an ADR pilot program for a Fortune 50 corporation to resolve customer disputes in a portion of that corporation's financial portfolio.
  
  
• Developed and implemented an ADR program for one of the world's largest web hosting companies. Wargo & French developed arbitration provisions for contracts entered into electronically through the Internet and assisted in enforcing these arbitration provisions using “click wrap” electronic acceptance of terms.
  
  
• For more information about Wargo & French arbitration programs click here.