Y-ADR Spotlight Series - Interview Questions with Jhale Ali

Jhale Ali
Senior Managing Counsel, Global Litigation & Competition
Visa Inc.

1. What has been a beneficial aspect of engaging with the CPR Institute for you personally or professionally?

I have appreciated getting to know other practitioners, across industries, through the Y-ADR Steering Committee and related working groups who are equally committed to alternative dispute resolution. 

Last year, I was a mentor for young lawyers as part of Y-ADR’s Speed Mentoring program and loved hearing my peers offer words of wisdom and meeting smart, curious and engaging young professionals.  It was one of the highlights of my professional career last year and I am so looking forward to doing it again this year.

2. What is an issue that you see within the field of ADR and how can that issue be combated?

ADR provides a unique opportunity for parties in a dispute to select diverse decision-makers.  One way to meet that opportunity is for practitioners to ask, at the outside of a selection process, what additional resources they can utilize to identify new, qualified neutrals that may not show up on their typical list of names to choose from. 

3. At what point did you realize that this career choice was best for you?

After graduating from college, I worked at the Antitrust Division of the U.S. Department of Justice as a paralegal specialist and knew I was on to something when I found myself excited to go into the office every day, volunteering to work on new matters, and interested in the careers of the professionals around me—what they were working on, why they chose antitrust, what they were good at, what was difficult, etc.  I followed that excitement and curiosity to law school and have never looked back!   

4. What goal(s) do you hope to accomplish in the near future?

At this stage of my career in-house, I am focusing on tackling new problems and supporting different internal functions at my company with the goal of expanding my skill set and deepening my understanding of our business. 

5. How can people with an interest in ADR get hands-on experience to further their career?

I would recommend young lawyers in particular vocalize their interest in ADR to clients and the people they work for early on in their careers, as well as volunteer to lead pro bono matters that may involve alternative dispute resolution methods.  Pro bono is an excellent opportunity to jump into ADR early on in your career and develop important skills while helping others.

6. What is your favorite ADR process to practice?

I really value mediation.  It is cost effective, efficient, and helps remove a lot of the “noise” that can exist in an ongoing litigation.  I have a deep respect for mediators who are able to get to the heart of a matter and identify compromises even in the most complex disputes.  It is truly an art form.

7. (Fun one!) Describe your perfect Friday night in 5 words or less.

My ideal Friday night includes playing board games with my kids as they chat about their day, followed by a dinner with my spouse at one of our favorite restaurants.

In five words or less:  Quality time with family.