The Commitment grew out of a challenge from CPR's Diversity in
Generally, corporate Diversity Commitment signatories pledge to include diverse neutrals among any list of mediators or arbitrators they propose and to track diverse selections in their matters. Law firm signatories pledge to discuss the value of diverse neutrals with their clients. And CPR endeavors to include at least 30% diverse neutrals in its proposed slates and appointments.
'Discussions about diversity, while of course important as a first step, ultimately mean very little without follow through,' said CPR President & CEO,
Other recent diversity efforts at CPR include: The recently-released (
Newly-created alternative pathways for neutrals who wish to join CPR's employment panels, and in particular, its mass claims panel, aimed at increasing the diversity of those panels by facilitating the application and admission process
The addition of a diversity statement to CPR's nomination letters
The option for neutrals to self-identifyas diverse on slates of candidates being provided to parties and The Young Lawyer Rulerecently added to CPR's revised Rules for Administered and Non-Administered Arbitration of Domestic and International Disputes.
The constituents of CPR - corporate members, like
'We support this Diversity Commitment, and share its goal to improve the inclusion of diverse neutrals in mediating and arbitrating our matters at Shell,' said
'The 2020 Diversity Commitment is an important next step towards building greater diversity and inclusion in the legal community,' said
'It's been my honor to work with CPR to help ensure across the board equality in the selection of neutrals by the law firms and corporations that engage its services,' said Hon.
'Our members and the legal community more broadly have increasingly recognized the importance of achieving greater diversity in the neutrals asked to help resolve disputes,' said
ABOUT CPR
Established in 1977, CPR is an independent nonprofit organization that helps prevent and resolve legal conflict more effectively and efficiently. It manages conflict to enable purpose.
CPR Dispute Resolution harnesses the thought leadership and output of the Institute while providing independent ADR services mediation, arbitration, early neutral evaluation, dispute resolution boards and others through innovative and practical rules and procedures and through
Contact:
Email: tzamorsky@cpradr.org
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