Silicon Valley, CA – SVAMC here reiterates its belief in the value of diversity and its determination to continue and strengthen its efforts to bring diversity to its membership, its global Tech List and its leadership.
“Diversity” derives from the Latin “diversus,” meaning difference or variety. Applied to people, it refers to the multiple differences that exist among people, in the broadest sense: not just race, gender, ethnicity, age or religion; but also demographic, education, skills, experience, culture and perspectives. In our view, diversity does not mean “less than,” “unqualified” or “lacking merit,” but simply broadens the pool of highly qualified candidates. Different groups or individuals often have equal or superior qualifications for the mission at hand—not to mention refreshing new perspectives and ideas.
SVAMC has long viewed diversity as strength, to be pursued. Our Tech List selection criteria include “Candidates that represent diverse backgrounds and others that bring new and valuable perspectives to dispute resolution,” and the website cites the launch of “several diversity initiatives in the technology dispute resolution sector.” Further, it is our goal to “ensure diversity in experience, geography, gender, and underrepresented groups—a commitment that continues to drive the evolution of the Tech List.”
There are present assaults on “DEI” programs and initiatives, but SVAMC has long viewed diversity as a strength to be pursued. In addition to seeking to broaden diversity along all metrics, our Board determined several years ago to put special emphasis on bringing international candidates into its leadership and Tech List. In 2021 we elected our first woman CEO, Sarah Reynolds, who brought fresh energy and perspectives to SVAMC. We are proud of the varied makeup of our Board, officers and membership; and the 2025 Tech List includes eminent ADR appointees not just from most major cities and regions of the United States, but also from Paris, Sydney, Rio de Janeiro, Bucharest, Geneva, Hong Kong and Zurich.
SVAMC seeks diversity not as a badge of honor but for purely selfish reasons: We are a stronger, more effective institution with diverse managers and members. We learn from “others,” such as the younger lawyers who drafted SVAMC’s highly regarded “2024 Guidelines for the Use of Artificial Intelligence in International Arbitration.” In short, we lead the advocacy for ADR in technology industries far more effectively with varied voices and perspectives.
For all of these reasons, SVAMC has no intention of lessening its diversity initiatives and policies. To the contrary, we here re-publish them with pride and the assurance that they make us a better resource for the technology ADR community we serve.
Jonathan W. Fitch, CEO
Les Schiefelbein, Chairman, Board of Directors
About the Silicon Valley Arbitration & Mediation Center (SVAMC)
The SVAMC is a non-profit organization promoting efficient arbitration and mediation for global technology disputes. Based in Palo Alto, California, SVAMC provides educational resources, collaborates with leading ADR institutions, and publishes The Tech List®, a peer-vetted roster of top technology arbitrators and mediators worldwide. SVAMC serves as a vital bridge between the tech industry and the ADR community, advancing smarter, faster, and more cost-effective dispute resolution. Learn more at https://svamc.org/.
##
Media Contact:
Nicole Chavez, 619-368-3259, [email protected]