AGENDA

March 5, 2026

8:00-8:45a.m. Registration, Coffee, and Breakfast

8:45-9:00a.m. Welcome Remarks
Luis M. Martinez, Vice President, AAA-ICDR; New York, NY

9:00-10:15a.m. Session 1: Emerging Trends and Pressures in Life Sciences Disputes
This session provides a macro view of the evolving dispute landscape in life sciences, highlighting emerging conflict types in supply chains, co-development agreements, pricing, and data. The discussion will consider the growing impact of government and regulatory action, as well as the key challenges practitioners face, including IP ownership and licensing disputes, milestone failures, confidentiality breaches, and cross-border enforcement issues. Speakers will discuss regulatory pressures, government action, and the top pain points faced by companies, counsel, and arbitrators for life sciences disputes.

Moderator
Edward Buthusiem, Managing Director, BRG; Washington, DC

Faculty
Hon. Faith Hochberg (ret), Hochberg ADR LLC, AAA-ICDR Panel Member, New York, NY
Hagit Elul, Partner, Orrick, Herrington & Sutcliffe LLP; New York, NY

10:15-10:30a.m. Break (Coffee/Tea)

10:30-11:45a.m. Session 2: Counsel Approaches to International Arbitration in Life Sciences Disputes
Life sciences disputes bring unique complexity, from technical evidence and regulatory overlay to high-stakes contractual disagreements. This session will explore how experienced counsel approach international arbitration in this sector, highlighting best practices for arbitrator selection, preliminary hearings, information exchange, and effective presentation of scientific and expert evidence. The panel will also address common dispute types—including supply chain disruptions, intellectual property rights, licensing and technology transfer agreements, regulatory compliance, and product liability—and discuss practical strategies for managing these challenges in a global context.

Moderator
Adriana Vaamonde, Director, AAA-ICDR; Miami, FL

Faculty
Preeti Bhagnani, Partner, White & Case LLP; New York, NY
JP Duffy, Partner, Bracewell LLP; New York, NY

11:45a.m.-12:00p.m. Break (Coffee/Tea)

12:00-1:15p.m. Session 3: Avoiding Deadlocks and Delays: Launching AAA-ICDR’s Dispute Review Board (DRB) Services in Life Sciences
AAA-ICDR proudly unveils its new Dispute Review Board (DRB) services tailored for the life sciences sector. This dynamic panel will showcase how DRBs help safeguard long-term R&D collaborations and joint ventures by managing milestone disputes, delays, and governance challenges before they derail progress. Speakers will compare DRBs with arbitration and mediation, spotlight other ADR options for timely relief, and share insider perspectives from life sciences practitioners. Attendees will gain practical strategies to keep life sciences projects moving forward, resolve conflicts early, and avoid the deadlocks that can stall progress and innovation.

Moderator
Luis M. Martinez, Vice President, AAA-ICDR; New York, NY

Faculty
Scott Bass, Partner, Sidley Austin LLP; New York, NY
Angela Foster, AAA-ICDR Arbitrator; North Brunswick, NJ
Mary E. Bartkus, Special Counsel, Hughes Hubbard & Reed LLP; New York, NY

1:15-2:30p.m. Networking Lunch

2:30-3:45p.m. Session 4: Clinical Trial & Data Sharing Conflicts: Managing Information Intensive Life Sciences Disputes
This panel will focus on the distinctive challenges posed by information-intensive disputes in life sciences arbitration, particularly those arising from clinical trials, global data sharing, confidentiality, data integrity, and regulatory compliance. Discussion will highlight the types of cases most frequently encountered—such as control of datasets, disclosure demands, security breaches, and parallel trials—as well as the core issues they raise, including time sensitivity, complex evidentiary burdens, and the demands placed on arbitrators to navigate data privacy, regulatory frameworks, contract law, and scientific standards.

Moderator
Sarah Clayton, Vice President, AAA-ICDR; Charlotte, NC

Faculty
Dr. Keziah Cook, Director, BRG; Emeryville, CA
Samuel L. Zimmerman, Partner, Hogan Lovells; New York, NY

3:45-4:00p.m. Break (Coffee/Tea)

4:00-5:15p.m. Session 5: The Evolving Use of AI for Life Science Product Development and Dispute Resolution
This forward-looking session will examine how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are reshaping arbitration in life sciences disputes. From AI-powered evidence review, predictive analytics, AI changes for product development, and draft award preparation to blockchain-based tools for safeguarding the authenticity of documents, these innovations are redefining how cases are managed and resolved. The discussion will also address how arbitrators must adapt—developing fluency in new technologies, data integrity tools, and digital standards—to meet rising expectations for speed, transparency, and accuracy in complex, information-heavy disputes.

Moderator
Bryan Corbett, Director of Innovation, AAA-ICDR; Atlanta, GA

Faculty
Thomas Walsh, Partner, Freshfields; New York NY
Shannon Capone Kirk, Managing Principal and Global Head of Advanced E-Discovery and A.I. Strategy, Ropes & Gray; Boston MA

5:15-5:30p.m. Closing Remarks
Michelle Skipper, Vice President, AAA-ICDR; Charlotte, NC

6:30-7:30p.m. Networking reception hosted by Ropes & Gray