Profile

Conna Weiner

Independent Arbitrator and Mediator

Please see my JAMS bio: www.jamsadr.com/weiner. Here, I note that I am responsive, engaged, an efficient project manager and an experience arbitrator who is makes clear decisions and is willing to consider dispositive motions where appropriate in order to streamline issues in the case. I bring to my arbitration practice my diverse experience as a litigator and manager and strategic legal business, regulatory, transactional and compliance problem-solving. I have over 20 years of practical experience inside global corporation in the U.S. and abroad, including as a General Counsel, and was awarded an ADR Higginbotham Fellowship by the American Arbitration Association in 2013. Over the years, I have amassed hands-on, practical legal and compliance experience, in the U.S. and abroad, in connection with issues throughout the lifecycle of pharmaceutical and device industry development and commercialization, as well as associated issues involved providers and insurers (both for and nonprofit.) I have worked for branded and generic companies, human and animal pharmaceutical, vaccine and device manufacturers and collaborated with their business partners, including hospitals, health plans, academic medical centers/universities, physicians and contract manufacturers. As a result of my hands-on experience, I believe that I have: (a) in-the-trenches, practical experience with challenging legal issues and contractual relationships; (b) experience with complex general commercial matters and an extensive substantive background in the highly regulated and technical life sciences/healthcare arena; (c) significant familiarity with the healthcare provider environment without having directly represented hospitals, health plans or physicians, thereby reducing the appearance of bias in connection with provider and insurance matters; (d) an in-depth understanding of why and how internal and external deals and collaborations get done or fall apart; (e) the ability to listen fairly and well and help cut through to the heart of a problem; (f) an acute understanding of criticisms leveled against the arbitration process (it has become too much like litigation, etc.) and the willingness and knowledge to help the parties craft a customized and efficient solution using reforms such as the College of Commercial Arbitrators Protocols for Expeditious and Cost-Effective Commercial Arbitration; and, (g) a deep understanding of diverse cultural perspectives as a result of my international experience.