Although many cases entail Cadwalader lawyers appearing before U.S. and non-U.S. courts of law, a significant portion of our practice involves counseling and advocacy outside the courtroom. With increasing frequency, we help clients to resolve disputes without proceeding to litigation and its attendant cost and publicity - through arbitration, mediation, and, in advocacy before regulatory and government agencies and officials. In this regard, our litigators act as counsel, as well as arbitrators and mediators, under many of the major arbitration conventions and rules. We have participated in proceedings under multiple regimes, including all of the major tribunals in the United States as well as, for example, UNCITRAL, ICC, LCIA and SIAC, and WIPO.

Many of our lawyers have been appointed to serve as mediators, arbitrators, Special Masters, and neutral panelists, mediating and attempting to achieve settlements in alternative dispute resolution procedures. The Firm is also a member of numerous organizations, including the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution and the Center for Public Resources, that spearhead innovation in the avoidance, management and resolution of multinational business-related and other disputes.

Experience

• A multinational manufacturing corporation in arbitration before a three-member AAA panel involving environmental liabilities stemming from sale of chemical manufacturing business
• One of the largest publicly-traded fuel tanker companies in the world in successfully resolving commercial disputes before a maritime arbitration panel involving a non-U.S. ship builder
• A life and annuity reinsurance company operating in North America, Latin America and the Asia Pacific region in arbitration involving the reinsurance of annuity products
• Holders of U.S. and European patents in confidential arbitrations trials for patent infringements under the rules of the World Intellectual Property Organization
• A Belgium-based international financial institution in prosecuting arbitration claims against a state-owned Indonesian insurance company before a Singapore International Arbitration Center panel
• A leading mutual life insurance company in arbitration before a three-member panel arising out of the termination of its CEO and claims of breach of fiduciary duty, self-dealing and other misconduct
• A French financial firm in arbitration arising out of the termination of the head of an office
• Several Liechtenstein Anstalts with manufacturing, import, construction and distribution businesses in Europe, the Middle East and the United States in resolving complex contract disputes pending in New York, London and Geneva, involving the successful invocation of provisions of the Federal Arbitration Act and the New York Convention to refer the disputes to arbitration in Switzerland
• A manufacturing company in an arbitration involving the Asia North America Eastbound Rate Agreement
• A Belgian retail bank in an arbitration with a global insurance company regarding bond defaults
• The developer of renewable-energy facilities in an arbitration regarding the development of a facility in Malaysia
• A Canadian supermarket chain in a 41-day arbitration regarding renewal rent under leases
• An American insurance company against the Iranian Government before the Iran U.S. Claims Tribunal at The Hague, obtaining an award for the full amount of the U.S. insurer's investment in a nationalized Iranian insurance company

We believe that our continued strength lies in ensuring that we attract, retain, and nurture the very best talent from all backgrounds, and we expect the future complexion of Cadwalader, Wickersham & Taft LLP will, with each passing year, more closely reflect the global community that we serve. 

Cadwalader has worked diligently to promote an inclusive work environment and, over the years, has developed many initiatives to fit our unique goals and challenges on issues of diversity and inclusion.  With the creation of the Cadwalader Center for Diversity & Inclusion (CCDI), a central resource for the firm’s diversity programs, initiatives and policies, we aim to improve upon our successes and follow through on our promise to weave diversity and inclusion principles into the fabric of our culture. 

The mission of the CCDI is to enhance gender, racial/ethnic, and LGBT diversity and inclusion within the firm to create an unrivalled environment that attracts, retains and promotes the best and brightest talent available to serve our clients. Governed by the Global Diversity Committee, chaired by Patrick T. Quinn, Managing Partner, the CCDI is a vehicle to support the work we currently perform, to reinforce our dedication to that work, to recognize outstanding effort and to communicate - to each other and to the clients we serve - our longstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Recent Programs & Events

The Cadwalader Center for Diversity and Inclusion hosts programs and events throughout the year that are designed to increase cultural competence, celebrate history and heritage and educate attorneys on how to work effectively on diverse teams.

From Megan’s Law to Bernie Madoff: A Conversation with Judge Chin

- July 23, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group hosted a conversation with the Honorable Denny Chin, United States Circuit Judge for the Second Circuit.  During the interactive conversation, Judge Chin discussed his experiences as a federal judge and his path to the bench. Attendees had the opportunity to network and speak with Judge Chin during the cocktail reception that followed.

The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court

- June 9, 2015

The Cadwalader LGBT Network and the Gay & Lesbian Advocates & Defenders (GLAD) hosted a Pride Month event, The Fight for Marriage Equality in the Supreme Court, featuring Mary Bonauto, GLAD’s Civil Rights Project Director and Janson Wu, GLAD’s Executive Director. During the presentation Mary discussed her experience arguing before the U.S. Supreme Court for marriage equality and Janson discussed the future of the LGBT rights movement.

Justice Denied: Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio

- May 12, 2015

Members of the Asian American Bar Association of New York, including Cadwalader attorneys and the Honorable Denny Chin of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit presented a case reenactment of Wards Cove Packing Co. v. Atonio, a landmark employment discrimination case. The presentation told the story of the Wards Cove workers through narration, reenactment of court proceedings, and historic photographs. To view the performance, click here.

The Partner Track

- May 5, 2015

The Cadwalader Asian Pacific American Attorney Resource Group and the Women’s Leadership Initiative co-hosted a panel discussion with Cadwalader Partners, Ingrid Bagby, Kathy Chin and Athena Eastwood, focusing on their career experiences and paths to partnership. The panel was moderated by Helen Wan, author of The Partner Track, a fictional story about a young Asian-American corporate associate up for partner at her New York law firm.

“From Selma to Ferguson to Today: Why Civil Rights Matter,” featuring Professor Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School

- April 29, 2015

The Cadwalader Black and Latino Association hosted a conversation with Charles Ogletree, Harvard Law School Jesse Climenko Professor of Law, and Founding and Executive Director of the Charles Hamilton Houston Institute for Race and Justice.  The conversation was followed by a cocktail reception where attorneys had the opportunity to network  and speak with Professor Ogletree.

The Art of Building Business Relationships and Executive Presence

- March 25, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative and Diane Darling, Founder of the Darling Institute, hosted a workshop on building business relationships and executive presence.  This interactive presentation explored how professionals at all stages of their career can integrate networking and relationship-building into their everyday lives. 

WLI London Client Event: “Walking the Nile” by Levison Wood

– March 12, 2015

The Women’s Leadership Initiative hosted a special evening at our London office with Levison Wood, explorer, writer, and photographer. Formerly an officer in the British Parachute Regiment, Wood has led pioneering journeys into undiscovered regions, travelling to more than 80 countries. His nine-month walk along the length of the Nile, from source to sea, is chronicled in a recent Channel 4 documentary. During the presentation Wood described the amazing people, breathtaking places and shocking sights he encountered on his ground-breaking expedition.