Jim Reiman's Arbitration Philosophy — Efficiency, Fairness, and Fidelity to the Parties' Agreement and the Law

Q: What is Jim Reiman's approach to evidence and discovery management?

Jim Reiman examines the issues and facts of each dispute and then crafts the scope of discovery to ensure all parties can access and present all evidence material to the dispute while denying overbroad demands that increase cost and delay. Jim manages document exchange, witness identification, and hearing schedules to maintain a focused and efficient proceeding without restricting substantive fairness.

Jim Reiman, FCIArb, manages every arbitration proceeding by balancing efficiency, fairness, and fidelity to the parties' agreement and the law. Jim does not "split the baby" — awards and interim rulings follow the the terms of the contract, proven facts, and the applicable law.

Parties and counsel evaluating Jim as a potential arbitrator can review his procedural approach below and contact Reiman ADR to discuss a specific matter.

How Jim Reiman Manages Arbitration Proceedings

Jim Reiman's procedural management centers on commitments that govern every stage of the proceeding, from the preliminary hearing through the final award.

The rules of professional conduct governing attorneys and arbitrators, and most institutional arbitration rules impose a duty on arbitrators to conduct efficient and economical proceedings — Jim treats that duty as a binding obligation, not a suggestion.

Jim's procedural commitments operate throughout the proceeding:

Procedural Commitment	What Jim Does	Benefit to Parties
Access to Material Evidence	Jim ensures both sides can secure and present all evidence material to their dispute through appropriately scoped document exchange and depositions when appropriate.	Parties build complete records without unnecessary cost or delay from overbroad discovery demands.
Full and Fair Presentation	Jim ensures each party has a meaningful opportunity to present its case, examine witnesses, and respond to the opposing party's arguments and evidence.	Neither side is procedurally disadvantaged by compressed timelines or restricted access to hearings.
Efficient and Streamlined Process	Jim manages the proceeding's schedule, scope, and hearing format to minimize unnecessary cost and delay while preserving fundamental fairness.	Parties receive prompt rulings and a resolution timeline that respects both thoroughness and economy. Jim limits the number of his active engagements to assure his ability to timely schedule evidentiary hearings and respond promptly to motions.

Jim continuously balances access to evidence, fair presentation, and an efficient process against one another because maximizing any single principle at the expense of the others undermines the proceeding.

Unlimited discovery ensures access to evidence but destroys efficiency. Compressed timelines promote speed but may deny a party the opportunity to present its case fully. Jim's role as arbitrator requires calibrating all of these in every ruling.

Awards, Rulings, and Dispositive Motions

Jim Reiman does not believe in "splitting the baby." Every award and interim ruling Jim issues follows the proven facts, the applicable law, and the terms of the contract — regardless of whether the result favors one party entirely.

The AAA-ICDR's own data confirms that 94.5 percent of arbitration awards favor one party or the other, and Jim's practice reflects that institutional standard.

Jim issues prompt, clear, and decisive rulings at every stage of the proceeding. Jim does not delay interim rulings to accumulate issues or defer difficult questions to the final award when earlier resolution would serve the parties and narrow the dispute.

Jim will grant a dispositive motion when the moving party demonstrates that no material facts remain in dispute or that the applicable law clearly dictates the outcome. He will also hear and rule on dispositive motions that do not fully resolve the dispute, but will limit the issues and streamline the proceedings.

Rule R-34 of the AAA Commercial Rules explicitly authorizes dispositive motions when the arbitrator determines the motion is likely to succeed and would dispose of or narrow the issues. Jim applies that standard without hesitation when the threshold is met.

Procedural Question	Jim Reiman's Position
Splitting the baby	Jim does not compromise awards. Rulings follow facts, law, and contract terms.
Dispositive motions	Jim grants dispositive motions when no material facts are in dispute.
Interim rulings	Jim issues prompt rulings at every stage — no deferral to accumulate issues.
Discovery scope	Jim manages discovery to ensure access to material evidence, denying overbroad demands.
Hearing management	Jim keeps parties focused on determinative issues and limits procedural distractions.

Parties seeking an arbitrator who delivers decisive, well-reasoned rulings grounded in facts and law can reach Reiman ADR at (847) 784-8100 to discuss an upcoming proceeding. Pre-appointment interviews will be in accordance with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators’ Practice Guideline: Interviews for Prospective Arbitrators.

How Jim Reiman's Career Shaped His Arbitration Philosophy

Jim Reiman's arbitration philosophy draws directly from his dual career in law and business. Jim spent 18 years in commercial litigation at Chicago law firms, where he valued judges who managed the litigation process, understood the factual and legal issues, kept parties focused on determinative questions, and made prompt, clear rulings.

Jim then spent 15+ years as CEO and board director of public and private companies, where he needed prompt, decisive, and clear answers to make operational and strategic decisions.

Jim learned that the paralysis of uncertainty — waiting months or years for a ruling — is often more costly to a business than even an unfavorable decision delivered on time.

Jim brings his legal and executive perspectives into the hearing room.

Jim's arbitration and business experience mean he understands the legal doctrines counsel must argue, and the business realities executives must navigate while a proceeding is pending.

Jim's full curriculum vitae provides additional context for parties evaluating Jim's qualifications.

Jim's professional leadership history details his complete panel appointments, committee service, and institutional roles.

Reach Reiman ADR to discuss how Jim's dual-career perspective as a commercial litigator and business executive applies to the procedural needs of your arbitration matter.

Jim Reiman's Approach to Select Mediations

Jim Reiman's practice centers on arbitration, but Jim 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.

Jim's mediation approach combines facilitative and evaluative techniques. Jim listens to what parties say and to what they leave unsaid, working first to facilitate negotiation and then — when appropriate — providing an objective assessment of each side's strengths and weaknesses.

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

Jim's negotiation teaching at the University of Oxford's Saïd Business School and his experience as the author of the award-winning book Negotiation Simplified (Amplify Publishing, 2022) directly inform both his mediation and dispute-prevention work.

Parties considering Jim Reiman as an arbitrator, mediator, or dispute-prevention practitioner can contact Reiman ADR at (847) 784-8100 to discuss the matter.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does "splitting the baby" mean in commercial arbitration?

Splitting the baby refers to an arbitrator issuing a compromise award that divides the disputed amount between parties rather than ruling decisively for one side based on the evidence. Jim Reiman does not split awards — every ruling Jim issues follows the proven facts, applicable law, and contract terms.

How does Jim Reiman decide whether to grant a dispositive motion?

Jim Reiman grants a dispositive motion when the moving party demonstrates that no material facts remain in dispute or that the applicable law clearly dictates the outcome. Jim applies the standard set by institutional rules such as AAA Rule R-34 without hesitation when the threshold is met.

What does fidelity to the parties' agreement mean in arbitration?

Fidelity to the parties' agreement means the arbitrator strictly conforms to the terms of the arbitration clause and the underlying contract. Jim Reiman does not expand or modify the scope of the proceeding beyond what the parties agreed to, and Jim applies the governing rules the parties selected.

How does Jim Reiman ensure procedural fairness in arbitration?

Jim Reiman ensures procedural fairness by guaranteeing each party meaningful access to material evidence, a full opportunity to present its case and examine witnesses, and prompt rulings on procedural and substantive questions. Jim balances these commitments against the equally important duty to conduct an efficient proceeding.

Why do arbitrators disclose their philosophy before proceedings begin?

Prospective parties and counsel evaluate arbitrators based on subject matter expertise, credentials, and procedural approach. A published arbitration philosophy allows parties to assess whether an arbitrator's management style and decision-making principles align with their expectations before agreeing to the appointment.

How does Jim Reiman balance efficiency with thoroughness in arbitration?

Jim Reiman manages each proceeding by continuously calibrating access to material evidence, full and fair case presentation, and efficient resolution. Jim does not sacrifice thoroughness for speed or permit unlimited discovery that undermines economy — every procedural ruling reflects that deliberate calibration.

What is Jim Reiman's approach to evidence and discovery management?

Jim Reiman examines the issues and facts of each dispute, and then crafts the scope of discovery to ensure all parties can access and present all evidence material to the dispute while denying overbroad demands that increase cost and delay. Jim manages document exchange, witness identification, and hearing schedules to maintain a focused and efficient proceeding without restricting substantive fairness.

How does Jim Reiman's mediation approach differ from his arbitration philosophy?

Jim Reiman's arbitration role requires decisive rulings based on facts, law, and contract terms. Jim's mediation approach is facilitative and evaluative — Jim helps parties identify common ground and, when appropriate, provides an objective assessment of each side's position without imposing a binding decision. The goal of an arbitration is to correctly apply the proven facts to the applicable law and the terms of the parties’ contract. The goal of a mediation is to secure for all parties a result that meets their needs and is acceptable; law and proofs are important, but not determinative.