Driving Diversity, Equity & Inclusion in ADR


Longstanding Commitment
The AAA-ICDR® has been advancing diversity and inclusion in the ADR field since the 1960s, including the establishment of the National Center for Dispute Settlement to help ease urban crises through arbitration and mediation.

Today, our efforts continue to center on actively recruiting highly qualified women and racially and ethnically diverse arbitrators and mediators who: serve on the AAA-ICDR National Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators, assist in leading education programs, and share their expertise in publications and other media.

Support and Governance
The AAA-ICDR governance structure fosters and supports diversity in the ADR field. The AAA-ICDR Council's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of legal and ADR professionals provides insight into the marketplace, and the Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee of AAA executives and staff coordinate initiatives and collaborate with firms and organizations.

Impact
Focused efforts have led to significant increases in the percentage of female and racially and ethnically diverse members on the AAA-ICDR Roster and in the percentage of diverse panelists appointed to hear AAA-ICDR-administered cases.

Panel
Outreach
ADR Pipeline

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

Panel


As of the end of 2023:

  • 34% of active panel members are women and racially and ethnically diverse.*
  • 49% of new additions to the roster are women and racially and ethnically diverse.

*This reflects the full Roster, including specialty panels.

Outreach


The AAA-ICDR co-sponsors, organizes, funds, hosts, and supports numerous racially and ethnically diverse bar associations, law schools, and trade groups around the country through the following: 

  • Partnering Efforts  
  • Diversity-Related Events

Diversity, Equity and Inclusion

ADR Pipeline


Discovering, developing, and advancing inclusivity for the next generation of arbitrators and mediators is central to the AAA-ICDR’s mission and crucial to the future of a diverse ADR community. Two significant programs provide training and mentoring for up-and-coming diverse professionals and law students:

  • Higginbotham Fellows Program 
  • Diversity Student ADR Summit
Service Innovation