Why did CPR institute an annual panelist administration fee?
In 2007, CPR instituted an annual panelist administration fee to help cover CPR's costs to maintain and grow its Distinguished Panel of Neutrals. In the last year, we have greatly enhanced our Panels, adding five new specialty panels and, with the relaunch of CPR's website in 2010, an upgraded bio searching tool and features that will allow visitors to more easily locate experienced neutrals. These enhancements and general bio maintenance of nearly 600 panelists requires significant staff and technology resources. Therefore, CPR’s Board of Directors decided that the beneficiaries of these enhancements—our neutrals—should, together with our members, pay for these and future upgrades. This is in line with other neutral providers who also charge their panelists.
How was the fee calculated?
We looked at what similar organizations are charging their neutrals and also estimated the time that our Panels Administrator and IT personnel spend on Panels administration and set the fee accordingly.
I am [my firm is] a member, do I have to pay this fee?
Membership is separate from being listed on our Panels. Members receive membership pricing for our meetings, discounts on publications and certain trainings, a subscription to our award-winning newsletter, Alternatives, and the ability to access case updates on the website. Members also have access to all of our neutrals’ bios via the website and can call on the expertise of our staff for help with research issues.
What happens if I choose not to pay the fee(s)?
If you choose not to pay the fee, your bio will no longer be available to our members or staff.
How can I be approved as a Panelist?
To be a panelist, you must have the requisite training and experience and then are eligible to be listed on our website as a neutral and to be chosen for cases. CPR's Panels of Distinguished Neutrals comprise nationally and internationally prominent attorneys, former judges, academics and legally-trained executives available to resolve business and public disputes. In evaluating applications to the rosters, CPR considers candidates’ education, experience with complex commercial matters, ADR training, ADR experience, references and, where appropriate, substantive experience in a given field. We strive for geographic and other diversity. All CPR neutrals are expected to maintain the highest ethical standards as set out by the governing ethical codes and rules.
Can I get information about who is accessing my bio?
Who accesses and when our members access our Panels database is confidential information. However, we can provide general information, such as which specialty panels are most often accessed, and we can tell you how many times your own bio has been accessed via the web and queried by CPR. Please note that many times, members use CPR's website to confirm the credentials of a neutral that they are considering. Your listing on CPR's Panel is a validation of your expertise.
How do I add/remove myself from a panel?
Only CPR staff can add panelists to a Panel and in some cases candidates will be screened by an industry/practice area committee. To remove yourself from a Panel, deduct the panel amount from your invoice and e-mail
dmorehead@cpradr.org requesting that your name be removed from the panel.