LORI LACONTA, JD, MBA
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Fairness and Equity​

Arbitration involves a process whereby contending parties agree voluntarily to submit a dispute to a neutral party for decision and agree to comply with the decision.  

  • Can be binding or non-binding based upon party requests or contract requirements
  • Objective of arbitration is adjudication, not compromise 
  • Informal process, similar to court trial
  • Often preferred to litigation because parties can limit discovery and set their own rules for presenting evidence
  • Usually a last resort, when other ADR processes like mediation have failed
  • Grounds for modifying or vacating an arbitration award are narrow, so most Awards are “final”
  • Parties may apply to the court to confirm the arbitration award 

Examples of Industries Using Arbitration
  • Labor
  • Securities
  • Commodities
  • International Trade
  • Construction
  • Medical Malpractice
  • Maritime
  • Escrow

Why Arbitration?
  • Provides speedy resolution (5-60 days)
  • Less costly than litigation
  • Less discovery
  • Final and Binding
  • Private and Informal
  • Expertise of specialized tribunal
  • Easier to schedule hearing with arbitrator than with court
  • Decision maker with subject mater expertise
  • Courts are not well adapted to specific industry needs (e.g. labor-management relations)

Arbitration Experience
  • More than thirty (30) Arbitration Awards for public sector labor and employment cases
  • Arbitrated Issues:  breach of contract, arbitrability, bargaining unit work, discipline, insubordination, absenteeism, FMLA, leave, procedural due process, disparate treatment, past practices, manufacturer's warranty
  • President, Labor and Employment Relations Association, Houston Chapter

Arbitration Panels
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Services - Labor Panel, 2012
State of Texas Comptroller - Property Division, 2012

American Arbitration Association - Labor Panel, 2010
Better Business Bureau - AutoLine, 2010
United States Postal Service and American Postal Workers Union, AFL-CIO, 2007-2009

Arbitration Training
  • Labor Arbitrator Training II - American Arbitration Association, 2012
  • Labor Arbitrator Training I - American Arbitration Association, 2010
  • Better Business Bureau - AutoLine Arbitrator Training, 2010
  • Labor Arbitrator Training - National Academy of Arbitrators / Labor & Employment Relations Association, SW Conference, 2010
  • Becoming a Labor Arbitrator - Federal Mediation & Conciliation Service, 2009
  • Labor Arbitrator Training - National Academy of Arbitrators / Labor & Employment Relations Association, SW Conference, 2009

Speeches and Presentations
  • History of Labor Arbitration, Arbitrator Role, Building an Arbitration Practice, Manousso Arbitration Training, 2011, 2012
  • Interactional Justice:  Moving Away from the “Judge Judy and Executioner” Approach to Labor Arbitration, LERA / NAA SW Conference, Houston, Texas, 2010
Photo used under Creative Commons from Visual Content
  • Home
  • About
  • ADR Services
    • Mediation
    • Arbitration
    • Fee Schedule
    • Request ADR
  • Contact
  • Helpful Links