The College of Commercial Arbitrators recently inducted Husch Blackwell’s John R. Phillips as a Class of 2011 Fellow. The CCA is a select group of neutrals who do significant arbitrations in complex commercial cases. Eleven arbitrators were selected in 2011; there are only 200 Fellows nationwide. To be considered for admission into the CCA, recommendations from advocates and co-arbitrators from arbitration panels with whom an inductee has served are required, as well as participation in writing of at least 30 awards, either as sole arbitrator or on a panel.
A Partner in the firm’s Kansas City, Mo., office, Phillips’ practice includes both arbitration and mediation in commercial, healthcare and a variety of class action matters. He is on the American Arbitration Association panel, the American Health Lawyers Association panel and the CPR Panel for Distinguished Neutrals. He is currently serving as Special Master in a large commercial case in federal court, a position he has held in previous cases. In addition, he occasionally arbitrates labor disputes by private agreement.