Vast Experience In Arbitration
Arbitration is often an effective way to end a corporate or commercial dispute without resorting to expensive, time-consuming litigation. We represent individuals, corporations, partners, and others in arbitration dealing with a wide spectrum of disputes. If you face a corporate or commercial disagreement and are not sure how to resolve it, we are here for you.
King & Jones has a knowledgeable team member available to discuss your dispute and weigh your options. We represent clients in a range of alternate dispute resolution techniques, including negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. We also handle corporate litigation when necessary. Contact us to learn more.
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King & Jones Represents Clients In Chicago Arbitration
Our team has served clients for more than 40 years. We have a wealth of corporate and commercial litigation experience, successfully taking many cases to trial. However, many cases end with negotiated settlements, mediation, or arbitration rather than with trial verdicts. Alternate dispute resolution is frequently the most efficient and cost-effective option to resolve many matters.
Here’s what to know about partnering with us:
We Prioritize Your Goals
You could have many goals that you hope to achieve through arbitration. These goals may include dissolving a partnership, restructuring the business, or otherwise settling a dispute. With our team, your goals are our goals. Using our years of experience, network of cexperts, onsultants, and insights, we strive to deliver the best possible outcome.
We Assemble The Evidence Needed To Support Your Case
In many ways, we handle arbitration the same way we handle trials. And, just like trials, these cases require evidence.
We must support your side of the story with evidence, which may include:
- Documents, such as contracts
- Emails and other written communications, such as text messages
- Witnesses
- Other exhibits
The rules for evidence collection are not as strict typically for arbitrations as they are for trials. The arbitrator asks questions, requests to see additional evidence, and intervenes to gain clarity at times that a judge might not. The arbitrator may accept evidence not legally admissible in court because their aim is to better understand the dispute.
We Help You Decide Who Should Oversee Arbitration
You can’t choose the judge in a trial. Yet, in arbitration, you and the other party can choose who presides over the proceedings. This neutral party should have a basic understanding of business disputes, along with any issues that could arise. That way, when they decide on your case, you can rest assured that the decision took all information into account.
We Represent High-Powered Executives, Sole Proprietors, And Others
Our attorneys represent a wide spectrum of clients, from individuals taking on insurance companies to feuding business partners. While litigation is sometimes the best option, we believe there are alternatives that are more effective and lead to better outcomes in many cases. Arbitration could be one of these alternatives. Sometimes arbitrations are required because of a contract you signed.
Clients Come To Us Again And Again With Their Legal Troubles
For many of our clients, working with us isn’t a one-time partnership. It’s a long-term relationship that we maintain for years. Many clients come to us time and time again with their disputes. Why? Because they trust us.
In the feedback they’ve left, former clients have used these words to describe our firm:
- Dedicated
- Prepared
- Impressive
- Ethical
- Emotionally invested
- Knowledgeable
One client even noted that they would have “no hesitation” recommending us to their loved ones. We take pride in the feedback we received, and we want to advocate for you in any way we can.
What Is Arbitration In A Chicago Civil Case? Why Our Team Recommends Arbitration To Some Chicago Business Law Clients
Now that you know how our law firm can help, it’s important to know what arbitration is in the first place.
Arbitration is a type of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) that often serves to resolve a disagreement without resorting to a court proceeding. Many companies and partnership agreements use arbitration in their contracts as the mandatory route for dispute resolution. We also recommend it to clients under some circumstances as a way to handle disputes when there is no contract or an explicitly stated method for resolution.
Arbitration works by utilizing a trained neutral third party who weighs the stories presented by each side and determines the outcome of the case. The parties involved in the dispute choose the arbitrator. In some cases, there is a panel of arbitrators. The parties must ensure there are no conflicts of interest or other issues with the arbitrators that could affect the outcome. Our attorneys ensure our clients get a fair chance in arbitration.
What You Can Expect From Arbitration
Arbitration generally starts when you file a claim that outlines your case’s facts and the resolution you want.
From there:
- The other party will respond to your claim, perhaps offering their own side of the story.
- You and the other party must agree on an arbitrator or a group of arbitrators.
- Before the hearing, everyone meets to discuss hearing dates and iron out other pre-conference details.
- Both sides present their testimony and any information they have.
Once the arbitrator hears each side, they will decide the case. Most decisions are binding, meaning the parties must follow the orders issued by the arbitrator. This could vary from assigning financial responsibility to one party to ruling what will be next for the company’s future. Occasionally, non-binding arbitration is possible and could help the sparring partners avoid litigation.
There are many advantages of ADR over litigation. While arbitration and a civil trial have a lot in common, there are many advantages to working with a trained arbitrator. After reviewing your case, we may recommend arbitration because:
The Parties Have More Control With ADR
Any time you can utilize alternative dispute resolution, it gives you more control over your case’s outcome than a trial would. With ADR, you control every step of the process. Negotiations and mediation only conclude if the parties agree. Arbitration allows the parties to choose a knowledgeable arbitrator or industry insider to decide the case—rather than a complete and total stranger.
Arbitration Generally Moves Faster Than Trials
We often schedule arbitration hearings based on our clients’ schedules. The arbitrator is much more flexible than a judge and does not have a docket scheduled months or even years ahead of time. Sometimes, it takes two or three years or more for civil litigation to make it to trial. Many business disputes have a strict timeline and need resolution as soon as possible.
Even if there is no deadline on your case, you reasonably want closure now. You do not want to worry about a dispute for years to come. Arbitration will settle it and allow you and your business to move on.
Arbitration Allows The Parties To Avoid The Public Eye
While some say any publicity is good publicity, that’s not always true. No one wants to hear their corporate dispute, allegations of wrongdoing, or financial reports on the evening news. This is possible if you litigate your case. Unless there are special concessions from the court, all court proceedings are public. Anyone can attend, report on it, and review the ruling afterward.
Arbitration allows you to keep your company’s business or your own business out of the press. Arbitration is private, and no one will ever know it occurred unless one of the involved parties discloses that information.
In this way, you can protect your company and your own privacy. Our team offers additional advice and support for clients hoping to protect their privacy while navigating dispute resolution. Generally, it is possible to keep your company’s business private by making certain choices during the dispute resolution process.
Arbitration Often Saves Money
When it comes to arbitration or trial, the procedures are different. This is a major reason arbitration is generally much more cost-effective than litigating a case and going to trial. Discovery is more limited as a general rule.
Along with negotiation and mediation, arbitration is one of the go-to options for ADR when parties want to end a dispute quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively. We help our clients identify the ADR approach that is most likely to be effective for them. We want to help you reach your goals, whether through ADR, litigation, or another route. Keep in mind that if arbitration is not required by a contract, the other party must agree to arbitration.
When our clients tell us their goals, we make them our goals, as well. This becomes our focus as we fight for the best possible outcome for our clients. We pursue the results you want, whether it includes saving money, putting the case behind you quickly, recovering the money you deserve, or getting justice.
Arbitration Usually Binds The Parties These Considerations Could Streamline Arbitration Discuss Your Chicago Arbitration Options With Our Team
Most arbitrations are binding. This means the decision the arbitrator makes stands. There are very few circumstances where a binding arbitration award can be vacated by a court. Neither party can decide to ignore it. The only time arbitration is non-binding is when the parties agree on it before the process begins. We believe there are limited applications for non-binding arbitration, and we canrepresent clients in this process when appropriate.
Why Would One Want Non-Binding Arbitration?
Sometimes, non-binding arbitration serves as a steppingstone for mediation or settlement negotiations. It provides a way for both sides to hear from an industry insider or a knowledgeable, experienced professional about the dispute. This is often more effective than trying to negotiate or compromise, even with a mediator.
By going through arbitration, each side sees the evidence and arguments outlined clearly. This often offers a better look at their strengths and weaknesses and gives them an idea of what might happen if the case goes to trial. This could drive the desire for a settlement or compromise.
After non-binding arbitration, your chances for resolution may increase. We can offer to schedule a mediation or represent the client in negotiations with the other party. This gives us the opportunity to settle the case. Alternatively, we will still move forward with litigation when this best meets our client’s needs.
We Can Advise You On Arbitration And Appeals
When you receive an unfavorable outcome in a civil trial, you generally have the option to appeal the decision. This process allows you to contest the verdict or award, challenging the court’s decision or procedures. Often, this is a right, and an appellate court will hear your appeal or overturn the ruling.
When it comes to binding arbitration, an appeal is typically not an option. You opted into binding arbitration, and these contracts are just that: Binding. However, there are sometimes other options. Our attorneys have filed lawsuits based on a improper arbitration and successfully won these cases in court. Courts have overturned arbitration decisions for King & Jones clients, ruling in their favor instead.
If this is your first time going to arbitration, you may wonder what measures could prevent complications. Some considerations include:
Not Fanning The Flames
Professional problems can get personal fast. You should do everything possible to maintain respectful relationships with those involved. You shouldn’t badmouth business partners, draw baseless conclusions, or even send coarse messages. Both parties should come to arbitration hoping to resolve their dispute—not to get revenge.
Keeping All Documents Related To Your Case
While your lawyer can assemble the information needed to bolster your case, you may also have evidence. If so, give those items to your lawyer. The more information to support your allegations, the better the outcome could be.
At King & Jones, we represent clients facing arbitration or who could benefit from this process. We offer consultations for you to learn more about arbitration and how effective it could be for your case. We want to discuss your dispute and the possibilities for solving it.
To connect with our firm, dial (312) 372-4142.