Edna Sussman serves full-time as an arbitrator and mediator and has been appointed as the Distinguished ADR Practitioner in Residence by the Fordham University School of Law. She started her career as an associate and litigation partner at the international law firm of White & Case. Over the past 15 years she has served as an arbitrator in well over 300 arbitrations and as a mediator in well over 200 mediations in both domestic and international complex commercial disputes.

Ms. Sussman serves on leading ADR panels around the world and has conducted arbitrations under many institutional rules and in ad hoc arbitrations. Ms. Sussman has served as one of six arbitration trainers nationwide for the American Arbitration Association’s new arbitrators and for advanced training for the ICDR,  as the President of the College of Commercial Arbitrators, on the board of the American Arbitration Association, as Chair of the New York International Arbitration Center and Chair of the AAA-ICDR Foundation. She has published and lectured extensively on arbitration and mediation and wins annual recognition for her work as an arbitrator and mediator in many rankings including being listed as Band 1 in Chambers Global for Arbitration, Who’s Who of International Arbitration, and Mediation, Best Lawyers, and Super Lawyers. Ms. Sussman was awarded the 2020 Neutral of the Year Award by the National Association of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN). The American Arbitration Association awarded Ms. Sussman the 2021 Vision Award for her work founding and chairing the AAA-ICDR Foundation. The 2022 issue of Chambers & Partners Global listed Edna as one of the Most In-Demand Arbitrators; Global Market Leaders for International Arbitration.

As an arbitrator, Ms. Sussman ensures that the parties get a fair and effectively managed proceeding. As a mediator, Ms. Sussman has a talent for guiding the parties to a mutually satisfactory settlement of the dispute.

Chambers: “very quick to learn the facts and arguments presented to her, and she makes quick and practical rulings,” “She is excellent…she is well prepared, well-read and interested in making sure all parties have their opportunities,” “highly respected and really knows the business,” “terrific and dedicated,” “smart, knowledgeable, connected and devoted,” “extremely accomplished,” “a real scholar in the field,” “incredibly smart.”  “tremendous leader in the field,” “strong common sense and ability to get a case to resolution.”  “Edna’s fabulous,” “She’s so smart, so careful and so balanced.” “a very effective chair,” “she’s extremely good at cutting right to the point,” “runs a tight ship.”

“Edna is an accomplished and well-organized chair and she manages proceedings with great efficiency.” “Her level of preparation, experience and intelligence gave me confidence that she would examine all evidence neutrally and reach the correct result.” “Edna is an excellent arbitrator and she helps parties resolve their disputes amicably.”

Representative Disputes:

  • Commercial contracts
  • Energy
  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Intellectual Property
  • Franchises and Distributorships
  • Finance
  • Life Sciences
  • Telecommunications
  • Technology
  • Insurance
  • Partnership & Joint Ventures
  • Environment
  • Securities
  • Accountant’s Liability
  • Pharmaceuticals
  • Aviation
  • Hospitality

Recent Activities

Presentations:

Climate Change Related Commercial Disputes  and Arbitration

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Author:

Arbitrator Techniques and their (Direct or Potential) Effect on Settlement

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