Arbitration & Alternative Dispute Resolution

Business disputes between global corporations nearly always involve a combination of arbitration and litigation, often in multiple jurisdictions. These disputes present some of the most important and difficult legal issues being considered by arbitrators and courts today. As such, arbitration has become an increasingly important tool for resolution of domestic and international commercial disputes. Unlike many law firms with a long history dedicated to trial practice, Colson Hicks Eidson has also been involved in all aspects of arbitration.

For over 20 years, Joseph Matthews , a partner at the firm, has been actively involved in the field of arbitration. He is a member of the Board of Directors of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), where he serves on the Law Committee, which was responsible for the recently adopted supplementary rules for class arbitration. Mr. Matthews is also a member of the AAA Special Panel of Neutral Arbitrators for Large and Complex Cases, and a member of the London Court of International Arbitration. He has represented parties in more than 50 arbitration proceedings and has served as arbitrator in more than 100 cases under the auspices of the AAA, the ICC Court of Arbitration and in ad hoc proceedings.

The firm regularly represents clients in local, national and international arbitration proceedings. Colson Hicks Eidson was recently asked to take over a series of cases and arbitrations involving a dispute between Consorcio Barr, S.A., the Venezuelan corporation that built and owns a real estate project in Caracas and Four Seasons Hotel chain. When the firm got involved, our client Consorcio Barr had already suffered several serious judgments entered against it by the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Florida and an extraordinary anti-suit injunction entered by an arbitration panel of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution. Such extraordinary remedies have become critical strategic tools in transnational disputes.

The firm handled the appeal to the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, which vacated the anti-suit injunction, and the firm continues to represent and coordinate representation of the interests of Consorcio Barr in this high stakes international dispute with one of the best-known hotel chains in the world.

Additionally, the firm, in 2002, obtained a multi-million dollar arbitration award in Washington, D.C., against a major international accounting firm for accounting malpractice. And, in 2001, firm members obtained a federal court judgment for $16 million confirming an arbitration award against the Micossukee Tribe of Indians arising out of a breach of contract.

Colson Hicks Eidson also pioneered use of arbitration to resolve the damage claims of victims of international air disasters when it was used as an alternative to litigation arising from the crash of an AeroPeru flight on October 2, 1996. Working for more than two years with local counsel from Chile, the firm successfully handled this case, which was conducted in Spanish in Santiago, Chile.

Whether as advocate or arbitrator, the firm is uniquely capable of blending its history of courtroom accomplishments and skills, sensitivity to multi-cultural diversity and its understanding of the rules and procedures of arbitration, whether domestic or international, to assist in the resolution of complex disputes.

Contact us anytime to speak with an attorney in our arbitration department

305.476.7400

Our offices are conveniently located for clients throughout Miami-Dade, Broward, and Palm Beach Counties, Florida. We also serve clients nationwide and regularly travel to our clients’ homes and offices.