Disputes are inevitable—but they don’t have to be completely disruptive. That was the focus of the recent webinar, entitled “ADR: Putting Principles into Practice,” presented by Katherine Gloede, Regional Vice President for the American Arbitration Association® (AAA®), and esteemed Michigan AAA Panelist, Tracy Allen. The webinar, held on Monday, February 24, 2025, was the third in a three-part series in partnership with the Small Business Association of Michigan (SBAM) as part of AAA’s Small Business and Entrepreneur Initiative.
Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to a range of processes, including arbitration and mediation, used to resolve disputes outside of traditional court litigation. The presentation recapped how arbitration and mediation can help small businesses resolve disputes and preserve relationships. The focus of the discussion was on applying these principles in practice by showcasing the features of ClauseBuilder, a tool AAA designed to help businesses incorporate ADR clauses effectively into their contracts.
Understanding ClauseBuilder
ClauseBuilder is an interactive tool AAA developed to help businesses create ADR clauses for their contracts. By using this platform, businesses can:
- Tailor ADR Clauses: Businesses can generate arbitration and mediation clauses that fit their specific needs, providing for clarity and fairness in future dispute resolution.
- Create Enforceable Clauses: The platform drafts legally sound templates that are designed to meet industry standards and best practices, minimizing the risk of unenforceable clauses.
- Streamline Contract Drafting: ClauseBuilder simplifies the process of including ADR provisions in agreements, reducing ambiguity as to the process and potential disputes over clause language.
Why ADR Matters for Small Businesses
By proactively incorporating ADR clauses through ClauseBuilder, businesses can protect their operations, save time and money, and maintain important relationships. ADR administered through AAA provides a structured, efficient, and fair approach to handling disputes without resorting to lengthy and expensive litigation.
Continuing the Conversation
As highlighted in the webinar, integrating AAA clauses into business contracts helps organizations stay focused on their goals: growth and innovation. If you missed this webinar or want to watch additional webinars on dispute resolution topics, you can access them through SBAM’s webinar archive. To view the ADR webinar directly, click here.
For assistance drafting ADR clauses, please visit the AAA’s ClauseBuilder Tool clausebuilder.org, clausebuilder.ai, or contact us at SBE@adr.org.
Let’s continue building stronger businesses, one resolved dispute at a time.
Courtesy of the American Arbitration Association.
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