Here are some of the things Mark Alcott has been up to recently, in addition to sitting as an arbitrator and litigation neutral in pending domestic and international cases:
- Arbitrator Alcott has just been appointed to the Arbitration Committee of the American College of Trial Lawyers by its President. The College Is a highly selective, peer reviewed, invitation only organization of leading trial/dispute resolution lawyers. As reflected in its mission statement, the College “selects only those who have demonstrated the very highest standards of trial advocacy, ethical conduct, integrity, professionalism, and collegiality.” A long time Fellow of the College, Arbitrator Alcott has previously served as Chair of its Downstate New York Committee and its International Committee.
- Mr. Alcott’s most recent article sets forth a unique proposal for ending the Israel/Hamas war. Entitled “The Light at the End of the Tunnels”, it was published on his blog and can be accessed here.
- Another of Mr. Alcott’s most recent articles addresses the misuse of the First Amendment to enable antisemitism on college campuses. Entitled “What the Constitution Does Not Say”, it was published in Harvard Magazine and can be accessed via the “Publication and Speaking Engagements” section of this website.
- Even experienced arbitrators benefit from on-going training. Arbitrator Alcott recently participated in the 18TH ICC New York Conference on International Arbitration and the AAA’s Roundtable for Northeast Commercial Arbitrators. Both programs featured excellent panelists addressing major issues in contemporary arbitration.
- The American Bar Association — a global pace-setter among NGOs advocating for the rule of law — has observer status at the United Nations. Mr. Alcott, a long-time member of the ABA’s UN delegation„ having served as Delegation Chair and United Nations Representative, was recently reappointed as Special Advisor to the Delegation. As such, Delegate Alcott participates annually, including this year, in UN Day. He has represented America’s legal profession at the semi-annual meetings of UNCITRAL Working Group II held at UN Headquarters in New York. UNCITRAL is the United Nations Commission on International Trade Law, and Working Group II focuses on dispute resolution. Its membership includes delegates from around the world. The meetings have dealt with Specialized Express Dispute Resolution, including the drafting of model clauses on highly expedited arbitration, using technical advisors, and confidentiality.
- Arbitrator Alcott recently attended the annual Meeting of the American Bar Association where he debated a major resolution in the House of Delegates as a delegate from NYSBA; addressed and submitted a paper to the Governance Commission outlining substantial reforms in the ABA’s Board of Governors; spoke before the newly formed Task Force to Combat Antisemitism; and met with the UN Representatives and Observes.