International and Domestic Arbitration
Arbitration is supposed to be an efficient, cost effective way for businesses to resolve their disputes without fear of unexpected results or lengthy appeals. However, as anyone who has been through the process can attest, what is supposed to happen often does not. Arbitrations can, and often do, turn into extremely costly affairs, where multiple arbitration judges hold frequent hearings and submit large bills, all of which must be paid in advance to the arbitration bodies like the AAA (who charge their own, separate hefty fees) to obtain a final ruling on what should have been a simple commercial dispute. Even if you win, the losing side often seeks to avoid payment of the award through distasteful appeals by complaining, after the fact, about the fairness of the proceeding or the enforceability of the award, despite having agreed to the forum and the process beforehand in a written contract. In international arbitrations, pitfalls of the arbitration process are multiplied with highly technical issues concerning foreign treaties and the application of unfamiliar legal principles by so called "neutral" arbitrators who hail from countries that have no connection to the parties or the dispute.
At the Feldman Law Firm, P.C., our approach, before proceedings begin, is to analyze not only the merits of the dispute, but prospects for enforceability of the award and what it will likely cost to get there. For claimants (the plaintiffs), the firm welcomes the opportunity to explore firm-funded contingent fee arrangements where we take the risk, or at least share it, with the client. Arthur Feldman, the firm's principal, has successfully handled complex commercial disputes in both domestic and international settings, achieving impressive victories for the claimants against well-heeled opponents and so-called "boutique" defense attorneys. In 2010 alone, Mr. Feldman has won two seven-figure awards for foreign based companies, both of which he handled under contingent fee arrangements, and both of which resulted in significant voluntary settlements of the awards after they were handed down. For respondents (the defendants), the firm believes that its creative approach results in a more cost-effective and successful result than the typical hourly charges imposed by most arbitration practitioners. As with all cases in which clients are threatened with large damage claims, the Feldman Law Firm, P.C. is happy to explore non-traditional fee arrangements, including reverse-contingent fees, flat fees, stepped fees, and cost-sharing arrangements.
The firm has significant experience in a wide range of commercial arbitration settings, including securities arbitration, international arbitration involving international commerce and international commission disputes, and construction arbitration. The Feldman Law Firm, P.C. looks forward to discussing your arbitration dispute with you and working to obtain a successful and cost-effective result.
Contact our firm today to see what we may be able to do for your domestic or international arbitration case!