Jim Reiman, FCIArb — Arbitrator for Complex Commercial Domestic and International Disputes

Jim Reiman is an arbitrator of complex domestic and international commercial disputes, based in Chicago, Illinois, and New York City. A Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (FCIArb), Jim is on the American Arbitration Association's Large/Complex Case Panel, Singapore International Arbitration Center panel, CPR and other panels. 

Jim spent nearly two decades in commercial litigation before leading public and private companies across the U.S., Canada, China, and the U.K. as CEO, board chairman, and director. Parties and counsel can contact Reiman ADR to discuss an upcoming matter.

How Jim Reiman Approaches Complex Commercial Arbitration

Jim Reiman arbitrates disputes involving complex commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution and licensing agreements, securities and financial services matters, trade secret and unfair competition claims, international cross-border conflicts, insurance coverage disputes, and real estate transactions.

Jim's arbitration philosophy centers on efficiency, fairness, and fidelity to the parties' agreement and applicable law.   Jim does not "split the baby" — awards and interim rulings follow the contract’s terms, proven facts, and applicable law.

Jim manages each proceeding by continuously balancing time, cost, and procedural fairness while ensuring parties can fully present their cases. Jim's detailed approach to arbitration is available for prospective parties and counsel.

What Makes Jim Different

Most commercial arbitrators spend the majority of their professional lives in law firms or corporate counsel positions. Jim Reiman's path differs. 

After 18 years as a commercial litigator and transactions attorney in Chicago, Jim served as CEO and Chairman of EBT Digital Communications Retail Group — one of China's largest cell phone retailers, listed on the London Stock Exchange's AIM Market — growing revenue from $2.25 million to $275+ million.

Jim also co-founded Aerofficient LLC, co-inventing 19 U.S. and foreign patents, and served as EVP at Spectrum Group International (NASDAQ), managing e-commerce operations and joint ventures with Amazon and eBay. 

Jim's full arbitration and business experience spans nearly four decades of combined legal and executive leadership.

Jim's fluency in both legal doctrine and business operations allows him to grasp the business metrics and legal issues underlying a commercial dispute, focus quickly on determinative facts, and deliver well-reasoned awards grounded in commercial reality.

Credentials and Recognition

Jim Reiman earned his Fellowship from the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators in 2014 — the highest grade of CIArb membership and the only globally recognized certification of professional competence in international arbitration. 

Jim serves as a Programme Director for CIArb's international arbitration qualification programs and chaired the CIArb North America Branch Board of Directors from 2018 to 2019.

Jim co-chaired the American Bar Association's Dispute Resolution Section Arbitration Committee (2024 2026) and its International Committee (2023-2024).  He holds a Qualified Arbitrator (Q.Arb) designation in Canada through the ADR Institute of Canada. 

Jim holds panel listings across the American Arbitration Association (Large/Complex Cases, Commercial, M&A/Joint Ventures), ICDR, ICC International Court of Arbitration, CPR, SIAC, AIAC, FINRA, AHLA, and the Philippine Arbitration Center in Visayas.

At the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School, Jim teaches negotiation to senior executives through the Oxford Programme on Negotiation. Jim authored Negotiation Simplified (Amplify Publishing, 2022), winner of the Nonfiction Authors Association Gold Award, NYC Big Book Award, and Independent Press Association Gold Award.

Jim accepts select mediations involving complex commercial disputes and serves on the AAA's Master Mediator Panel — a designation reserved for top-rated mediators selected by a committee of advocates and in-house counsel.

Jim also works as a dispute prevention practitioner with parties in ongoing business relationships, anticipating and resolving differences before they escalate into formal disputes.

Learn More

Jim Reiman's full curriculum vitae, professional leadership history, and video discussions provide additional detail for parties and counsel evaluating potential arbitrators. Jim's arbitrator disclosure statement is also available.

Contact Reiman ADR

Phone: (847) 784-8100 Offices: Chicago, Illinois | New York, New York (Chrysler Building)

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the FCIArb designation mean? 

Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators represents the highest grade of CIArb membership. The Chartered Institute of Arbitrators awards the FCIArb designation to practitioners who demonstrate advanced competence in international arbitration through rigorous examination and peer assessment. Jim Reiman earned his Fellowship in 2014.

How do parties choose an arbitrator for a complex commercial dispute? 

Parties typically evaluate arbitrators based on subject matter expertise, panel memberships, industry experience, procedural track record, and published arbitration philosophy. Institutional panels such as the American Arbitration Association's Large/Complex Case Roster pre-qualify arbitrators who meet heightened experience thresholds for high-value commercial disputes.

What types of disputes does Jim Reiman arbitrate? 

Jim Reiman arbitrates disputes involving complex complex commercial contracts, mergers and acquisitions, joint ventures, distribution and licensing agreements, securities and financial services matters, trade secret and unfair competition claims, international cross-border conflicts, insurance coverage disputes, and real estate transactions.   Jim arbitrates matters globally.  The majority of his matters are seated in New York and other US jurisdictions.

Does Jim Reiman handle international arbitration? 

Jim Reiman serves on international arbitration panels, including the ICDR, the ICC International Court of Arbitration, the Singapore International Arbitration Center, and the Asian International Arbitration Center.  Jim's experience building and running a London Stock Exchange–listed company headquartered in London with its principal operations in China, and a US and Canadian manufacturing company adds a cross-border commercial perspective to his international proceedings.

What is the AAA Large/Complex Case Panel? 

The American Arbitration Association's Large/Complex Case Panel designates arbitrators qualified to handle high-value, multi-party commercial disputes requiring substantial experience specialized procedural management.  Panel members meet heightened experience requirements set by the AAA for disputes involving substantial claims and complex factual and legal issues.

Where are Jim Reiman's offices located? 

Jim Reiman maintains offices in New York City's Chrysler Building and in the Chicago Loop on Wacker Drive. 

Does Jim Reiman also provide mediation services? 

Jim Reiman accepts select mediations involving complex commercial disputes. The American Arbitration Association appointed Jim to its Master Mediator Panel, a designation reserved for top-rated mediators selected by a committee of advocates and in-house counsel representing clients in complex, high-stakes disputes.

What is Jim Reiman's approach to arbitration? 

Jim Reiman strictly conforms to the applicable arbitration clause and does not "split the baby." Awards follow the contract’s terms, proven facts, and applicable law.   Jim manages proceedings by balancing efficiency, cost, and procedural fairness while ensuring parties can fully present their cases.