NAM WINS PAID FAMILY LEAVE ARBITRATION SERVICES CONTRACT WITH NEW YORK STATE WORKERS' COMPENSATION BOARD

New York (December 12, 2017) – National Arbitration and Mediation (NAM) announced today that it has been selected as the provider of choice for the Paid Family Leave (PFL) Arbitration Services contract by the New York State Workers' Compensation Board (WCB). This was a complex competitive bidding procurement that resulted in the award of the contract to NAM.

On April 1, 2016, the New York State Workers' Compensation Law (WCL) was amended to add insurance coverage for PFL to the Disability Benefits Law. Per the amendments to Article 9 of the WCL, disability insurance policies must now offer coverage to eligible employees for PFL. Beginning January 1, 2018, the PFL program will provide eligible New Yorkers with job-protected, paid time off to bond with a newly born, adopted or fostered child, care for a family member with a serious health condition, and assist loved ones when a family member is called to active military service abroad.

Article 9 permits the chair of the WCB to select an alternative dispute resolution process and alternative dispute resolution provider to oversee disputes regarding PFL benefits. The Technical Evaluation Committee and the Cost Evaluation Committee of the WCB evaluated the many proposals received. Together the committees unanimously agreed NAM understands the WCB's requirements for efficient and cost-effective arbitration.

Roy Israel, founder and CEO of NAM, says, “Our new win with WCB further demonstrates our position as a national market leader in providing ADR services. NAM has a gold standard reputation throughout the legal, business and insurance communities nationwide. With an experienced and diverse case management staff, NAM will provide quality customer service to the parties of interest and the WCB concerning their cases and the arbitration process. We are proud to provide PFL arbitration services to the WCB and look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship.”

About NAM

Founded in 1992, National Arbitration and Mediation is recognized for its superb customer service and exceptional panel of arbitrators and mediators. For the second year in a row, NAM was named Best ADR Firm in the United States by the 2017 National Law Journal Annual Reader Rankings Survey. Also, six of NAM's neutrals were named National Law Journal 2017 Alternative Dispute Resolution Champions as part of a select group of only 37 nationwide. NAM also ranked as a Best National ADR Provider by the 2017 Corporate Counsel Best of Survey. The New York Law Journal Annual Reader Rankings Survey selected NAM as the No. 1 ADR firm for the past seven years. NAM was also voted a “Best Overall ADR Provider” in the 2017 Best of The New Jersey Law Journal and Best of the Midwest annual surveys.

NAM works with more than 10,000 commercial entities, including more than 50 percent of the Fortune 100 companies. NAM offers litigants a nationwide panel of more than 2,500 top-tier former judges and practicing specialists uniquely qualified to facilitate the resolution of disputes in a private forum. NAM maintains rosters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and in major cities around the world, with specific expertise in the areas of complex commercial, construction, employment, entertainment, financial services, international, insurance, medical malpractice, personal injury (including third-party and first-party actions), professional liability and real estate dispute resolution. NAM is an indispensable resource for parties seeking cost-effective alternatives to expensive and time-consuming litigation.

NAM provides complimentary continuing legal education programs for attorneys, bar associations, corporate and government legal departments, and other legal and business organizations.