The AAA continues its multi-year undertaking to augment the gender and ethnic diversity of its Roster of Arbitrators and Mediators and increase diverse appointments to hear cases. Executives across every division and region of the organization actively recruit women and racially and ethnically diverse candidates who meet the criteria established for the AAA and ICDR panels.

Panel Diversity

As of the end of 2023:

  • 34% of active panel members are women and racially and ethnically diverse.*
  • 49% of new additions to the roster are women and racially and ethnically diverse.

*This reflects the full Roster, including specialty panels.

For more information on AAA work to increase the diversity of its panels, click on AAA Outreach

Appointment Diversity

The AAA employs an algorithm in its case-management system to provide parties with a list that is at least 30% diverse. There are some caseloads, however, where this may not be possible due to the highly specific nature of the expertise required and the limited number of panelists that meet these requirements. 

Should hearings remain virtual or a hybrid of in-person and virtual, this could lead to the increased availability and appointment of diverse arbitrators and mediators, since location will not be a variable requiring consideration.

In 2023 the percentage of diverse appointments were at least 40%.