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:
- Mr. Alcott’s most recent article addresses the misuse of the Frist 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 recently represented America’s legal profession at the semi-annual meeting 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 recent meeting dealt with Specialized Express Dispute Resolution, including the drafting of model clauses on highly expedited arbitration, using technical advisors, and confidentiality.
- By invitation, Mr. Alcott judged the opening Round Championship Series of the American Mock Trial Association’s Annual competition at Iona College. More than a dozen top universities and colleges participated. The competition is a very realistic model trial in which highly skilled and thoroughly prepared students examine and cross-examine witnesses, make legal arguments and perform like lawyers in every respect (except they do not charge a fee!) “Very impressive”, was Mock Judge Alcott’s evaluation.