American Arbitration Association Announces International Center for Dispute Resolution in Dublin.

Business Editors, Legal Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--April 25, 2001

The American Arbitration Association (AAA), the global leader in dispute management services, announced today that in response to exponential growth in its international caseload, it will open its second International Center for Dispute Resolution(SM) office in Dublin, Ireland - the Association's first European office. The AAA's first International Center for Dispute Resolution office was opened in New York in 1996.

The new office will support the AAA's European operations and provide a focus for outreach to the European business and legal communities. The AAA chose Dublin as the site because of Ireland's vibrant economy - 1200 international corporations currently conduct business there, because of its easy access to other European centers, and because Irish law has long supported the arbitration process.

As global business becomes more seamless and boundaries continue to be erased, international dispute resolution is booming. The Association has seen a significant growth in cases filed over the past five years -- from 194 international cases in 1996 to 510 in 2000 -- an increase of more than 162%. The AAA also has 54 cooperative agreements with international arbitral institutions in 39 other countries.

"International dispute resolution is one of the fastest growing areas of our caseload," said William K. Slate II, President and CEO of the AAA. "Opening this office in Europe is a vital step to showing our international customers that we are fully committed to leading the field in the provision of global dispute management services."

Mark Appel has been appointed Senior Vice President, European Operations and will head the new office. An executive with 25 years of service to the AAA, Appel has served in a number of positions in offices around the United States. He returned to New York when he was promoted to senior vice president in 1994. An attorney with a BA in Political Science/Peace Studies, Appel has been closely involved with AAA service innovations, including work with the U.S. Olympic Committee, the development of employment fact-finding procedures, the design of construction Dispute Review Board specifications, and skills training for negotiators, mediators, and arbitrators. Most recently, Appel was responsible for the Association's construction and mediation services.

Mark joins a team dedicated to delivering AAA's international services that is led by Steven Gallagher, Senior Vice President and includes Luis Martinez, Vice President International Center for Dispute Resolution - New York and Steven Anderson, Vice President for International Development.

A 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 2000, more than 198,000 cases were filed with the Association in a full range of matters including commercial finance, construction, labor and employment, health care, insurance, mass claims and technology disputes. Through its offices in Europe and the United States, the AAA provides a forum for the hearing of disputes, rules and procedures and a roster of impartial experts to resolve cases.