100 Years of Impact
A New Era in Arbitration
New York becomes the first state to enact a statute making arbitration clauses enforceable.
The ASA Founded
The Arbitration Society of America (ASA), a predecessor to the AAA, is organized to champion commercial arbitration — and a new era of community peacemaking is born.
Hollywood Does Dispute Resolution
Film boards of trade, including the Motion Picture Association of America, adopt arbitration.
Hollywood Does Dispute Resolution
Film boards of trade, including the Motion Picture Association of America, adopt arbitration.
Arbitration Foundation Founded
Sponsored by the Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, the Arbitration Foundation is created, spreading alternative dispute resolution through research and cooperation.
Arbitration Law Enacted
Supported by the ASA, the United States Arbitration Law is enacted, making arbitration clauses enforceable in interstate commerce and foreign trade.
The AAA Founded
The ASA and Arbitration Foundation merge to become the American Arbitration Association (AAA).
Publication of the Year Book on Commercial Arbitration in the United States
The AAA publishes the first comprehensive account of the extrajudicial practice of arbitration in the U.S., laying the research groundwork for a national system.
Publication of the Year Book on Commercial Arbitration in the United States
The AAA publishes the first comprehensive account of the extrajudicial practice of arbitration in the U.S., laying the research groundwork for a national system.
Women's Arbitration Council Formed
The Women's Arbitration Council is established, concentrating on “the promotion of knowledge of arbitration” — a traditionally male-dominated field — for women.
Women's Arbitration Council Formed
The Women's Arbitration Council is established, concentrating on “the promotion of knowledge of arbitration” — a traditionally male-dominated field — for women.
First Publication of the Arbitration Journal
The Arbitration Journal is launched. It is the first quarterly publication focused on the practice of commercial arbitration — “lifting arbitration from its narrow sphere of law and making it the servant of man's welfare and progress.”
Frances Kellor Writes Seminal Work on Arbitration
Frances Kellor, the AAA's co-founder and first vice president, writes “American Arbitration: Its History, Functions and Achievements,” widely considered a foundational text. The book traces the evolution of arbitration in the U.S. and the AAA's role in pioneering and shaping arbitration practices.
Setting the Standard for Industrial Peace
Building on groundwork laid during the labor disputes of the Great Depression era, the AAA formalizes fair, efficient procedures for a wide array of labor and commercial disputes by issuing its “Standards for Commercial Arbitration.”
Setting the Standard for Industrial Peace
Building on groundwork laid during the labor disputes of the Great Depression era, the AAA formalizes fair, efficient procedures for a wide array of labor and commercial disputes by issuing its “Standards for Commercial Arbitration.”
Laying the Foundation for ADR in Construction
The AAA formally codifies specialized dispute resolution procedures for construction projects, embedding arbitration and mediation clauses — like Fast Track and Fixed-Time Cost processes — into standard industry contracts.
The AAA Goes International
The AAA begins administering international commercial disputes — decades before formalizing the practice with the founding of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) in 1996.
The AAA Goes International
The AAA begins administering international commercial disputes — decades before formalizing the practice with the founding of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) in 1996.
Advancing Arbitration Law for Labor
The AAA helps drive the adoption of the Uniform Arbitration Act, a landmark step in making arbitration clauses legally binding and cementing arbitration's role in U.S. labor and contract law. More than 90% of collective bargaining agreements adopt arbitration clauses, often tied to “no-strike” pledges, which enable effective grievance resolution without work stoppages, contributing significantly to postwar industrial stability.
Dispute Resolution in Our Communities
With a Ford Foundation grant, the AAA creates the National Center for Dispute Settlement (NCDS). In 1975, it is renamed Community Dispute Services and becomes a formal part of the AAA, marking the AAA's first step into community-based dispute resolution beyond labor and commercial cases.
NYSI Division Born
Following New York's No-Fault Insurance Law, the AAA is appointed to manage auto accident-related disputes — launching the NYSI Division and pioneering the use of private arbitration for high-volume public cases.
NYSI Division Born
Following New York's No-Fault Insurance Law, the AAA is appointed to manage auto accident-related disputes — launching the NYSI Division and pioneering the use of private arbitration for high-volume public cases.
The AAA Enters Olympic and Amateur Sports
The Ted Stevens Act designates the AAA to resolve disputes over athlete eligibility and governing body status, cementing its role as a neutral arbiter in U.S. Olympic and amateur sports.
The ICDR's Launch
The AAA founds the International Centre for Dispute Resolution (ICDR) to meet rising global demand, formalizing its role in cross-border arbitration and strengthening the U.S. presence in international ADR.
Prudential Mass Claims Program
Following a court-ordered class settlement, the AAA administers one of its largest mass claims efforts, resolving tens of thousands of insurance disputes. The program sets new standards for large-scale, tech-enabled ADR in regulated industries.
Prudential Mass Claims Program
Following a court-ordered class settlement, the AAA administers one of its largest mass claims efforts, resolving tens of thousands of insurance disputes. The program sets new standards for large-scale, tech-enabled ADR in regulated industries.
“Click and Vote” Online Elections Launched
The AAA debuts its pioneering online voting system with the FedEx Pilots Association, boosting efficiency and transparency in labor union elections through secure digital technology.
eCommerce Dispute Protocol
Signed by 18 major B2B stakeholders, this protocol marks the AAA's entry into online consumer ADR in e-commerce.
ADR in Economic Crisis Response
In the wake of major corporate bankruptcies including General Motors and Chrysler, the AAA partners with government agencies to design sector-specific ADR programs, expanding its role from labor arbitration to acting as a bridge between public policy and private justice.
ADR in Economic Crisis Response
In the wake of major corporate bankruptcies including General Motors and Chrysler, the AAA partners with government agencies to design sector-specific ADR programs, expanding its role from labor arbitration to acting as a bridge between public policy and private justice.
Higginbotham Fellows Program Launched
The program is designed to prepare diverse ADR professionals for careers as arbitrators and mediators through intensive education and hands-on experience.
Superstorm Sandy and Disaster Recovery ADR
Building on experience from earlier efforts during Hurricanes Andrew and Katrina, the AAA expands its disaster recovery services with customized programs to mediate thousands of insurance claims in New York and New Jersey following Superstorm Sandy.
AAA-ICDR Foundation Established
With the mission of expanding access to ADR in global communities, the Foundation has awarded more than $9.44 million in grants to “projects that promote conflict resolution and prevention” since its establishment.
AAA-ICDR Foundation Established
With the mission of expanding access to ADR in global communities, the Foundation has awarded more than $9.44 million in grants to “projects that promote conflict resolution and prevention” since its establishment.
Cybersecurity Upgrades
MFA launches, further enhancing data security after the launch of CaseShield in 2021 and enabling remote access for arbitrators post-COVID.
AAAi Lab Launched
AAAi Lab, a centralized web hub, offers generative-AI tools including policy guidance, webinars, ClauseBuilder® AI beta, educational resources, and best-practice frameworks.
AAAi Lab Launched
AAAi Lab, a centralized web hub, offers generative-AI tools including policy guidance, webinars, ClauseBuilder® AI beta, educational resources, and best-practice frameworks.
The AAA's NYSI Hits 50-Year Milestone
With more than 4 million cases handled, the NYSI Division continues to deliver fast, fair outcomes for claimants, insurers, and providers and ease court congestion.
Partnering With Law Schools for the Future of the Field
The AAA launches a nationwide initiative to integrate ADR into law school curricula, equipping future lawyers with hands-on skills.
AAAi Panelist Search Beta Debuts
The AAAi Panelist Search tool uses generative AI to match case manager profiles against a roster of arbitrators and mediators.
ClauseBuilder® AI Wins LegalTech Breakthrough Award
The innovative AI free tool empowers users to efficiently customize arbitration and mediation clauses, representing “a significant advancement in modernizing dispute resolution.”
President and CEO Bridget McCormack Honored
The AAA's President and CEO Bridget McCormack wins the 2025 Monica Bay Women of Legal Tech Award in recognition of her thought leadership in the legal tech space.
President and CEO Bridget McCormack Honored
The AAA's President and CEO Bridget McCormack wins the 2025 Monica Bay Women of Legal Tech Award in recognition of her thought leadership in the legal tech space.
Innovating Construction Dispute Resolution
The AAA issues new best practices for e‑discovery, promoting proportional, cost-effective, and tech-enhanced handling of digital documents in construction cases.
Transforming the Future of ADR Through Education
The AAA launches AI transformation coursework to implement generative AI strategies within legal practices.
AI Arbitrator Launches
The AAA releases its AI arbitrator, calibrated and trained on the expertise of real human arbitrators, for use in documents-only construction cases, bringing new efficiency to the modern dispute resolution process.