Alan Kent

Practice has centered primarily on commercial arbitration since 1997, following 25 years’ litigation experience in construction, general commercial and government contracts.

Experience

Practice has centered primarily on commercial arbitration since 1997, following 25 years’ litigation experience in construction, general commercial and government contracts. Over 20 years’ experience as an AAA arbitrator. Designated as a Construction Master Arbitrator. Has served as sole or chair arbitrator in numerous large complex commercial arbitrations. For example: - Served as selected sole arbitrator for over $60 million in claims between the federal government and a major international corporation, on a design/build project for the world’s largest radio telescope. (11-week merits hearing) - Arbitrated over $100 million in professional accounting and auditing malpractice claims against a Big Four accounting firm. Also arbitrates disputes within professional firms, and between professional firms and their clients. Receives appointments directly from parties’ counsel and from bar associations presidents.

Work History

Independent Commercial Arbitrator, 2014-present; Of Counsel, Butzel Long Tighe Patton PLLC 2009-13; Of Counsel, Tighe Patton Armstrong Teasdale PLLC 1996-2009; Partner, Schnader Harrison Segal & Lewis LLP 1981-96; Partner, Greenberg, Trayman, Reiss & Blasky 1978-80 (Associate 1975-77); Trial Counsel, U.S. General Services Administration, 1971-73

Training

Attended and taught numerous courses on commercial arbitration, construction law and government contract law.

License(s)

Admitted to practice in the District of Columbia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New York. Admitted to various federal courts, including U.S. Supreme Court, U.S. Court of Appeals, U.S. Court of Federal Claims, and U.S. district courts in D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Texas and Pennsylvania.

Education

Boston University (B.S.B.A., 1967; J.D., 1969); L’Academie de Droit International, The Hague (Certificat d’Application, 1969); George Washington University (LL.M in Government Procurement Law, 1979)

Publications

’The Architect’s Duty: Owner-Contractor Disputes Involving Allegations of Architect Fault,’ 46 Ins. Csl. J. 31 (1979), Construction Arbitration, American Arbitration Assn., 1981; ’Wrongful Discharge,’ 27 Md. Bar J. 40, Jan./Feb. 1994; ’Recovering Indirect Costs,’ Construction Briefings No. 80-6, Federal Publications, Nov. 1980; Litigating Against the Federal Government and Its Officials, Pennsylvania Bar Institute, 1982; ’Audit of Contract Costs,’ Construction Briefings No. 85-5 Federal Publications, May 1985; Construction Claims Under Maryland Law, The Cambridge Institute, 1993.

Awards

Honors graduate of Boston University and its law school. Also holds an LL.M. in Government Contract Law from George Washington University. Meritorious Service Award, 1973, U.S. General Services Administration, Office of General Counsel, Claims and Litigation Section. 2007 District of Columbia Bar,award for outstanding service on D.C. Bar Attorney-Client Arbitration Board.

Panels

AAA Large Complex Case Panel, Commercial Panel and Construction Panel.

Associations

Member, The District of Columbia Bar; Federal Bar Association (Chairman, Committee on Government Construction Contracting, 1986-94); Maryland State Bar Association (Sections on Litigation and Alternative Dispute Resolution); American Bar Association (Section on Dispute Resolution; Forum on the Construction Industry).

Miscellaneous

Appointed and re-appointed by the D.C. Court of Appeals to six consecutive three-year terms as the court’s Bar Admissions Counsel (2000-16); Delegate Member of the District of Columbia Judicial Conference (2000-16); Delegate Member of the National Conference of Bar Examiners (2000-16); Member, D.C. Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (2001-07); Life Fellow of the American Bar Foundation; Fellow of the College of Commercial Arbitrators.