Arbitration Attorney

Arbitration Attorneys for Civil Disputes

Many contracts require disputes to be resolved through arbitration instead of in court. Our attorneys represent individuals and businesses in arbitration involving business disputes, consumer rights claims, and other civil matters, from the first demand through the final award.

How Arbitration Works in Texas

Arbitration is a private process where a neutral arbitrator, instead of a judge or jury, hears the evidence and decides the dispute. Arbitration clauses are common in business agreements, consumer contracts, and service agreements, and in Texas they are generally enforced under the Texas Arbitration Act and the Federal Arbitration Act. Many arbitrations are administered by organizations such as the American Arbitration Association (AAA) or JAMS, each with its own rules and fees.

A typical civil arbitration involves several key stages:

• It starts with a review of the arbitration agreement to determine whether the dispute must be arbitrated, which rules apply, and where the case will be heard.
• Next, the claimant files a demand for arbitration, and the respondent files an answer and any counterclaims.
• The parties then take part in selecting the arbitrator or panel.
• A limited discovery phase follows, where the parties exchange key documents and information.
• At the hearing, each side presents witnesses, evidence, and argument to the arbitrator.
• Finally, the arbitrator issues an award. Awards are generally binding and can only be challenged on narrow grounds, so it is important to have experienced counsel from the start. A court can confirm the award and enforce it like a judgment.