Arthur Pressman
Arthur Pressman Neutral
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Overview

Arthur Pressman

Since 2017, Arthur Pressman has been an independent full-time mediator and arbitrator of commercial disputes. Previously, he was an equity partner at Nixon Peabody, LLP (2003-2017, Boston), a capital partner at Buchanan Ingersoll PLLC (1997-2003, Philadelphia), and a founding partner of his own 15-lawyer firm (1973-1997, Philadelphia).

As a mediator and arbitrator, Arthur has resolved more than 200 matters involving franchisees, franchisors, private equity investors, guarantors, lessees and lessors, borrowers and lenders, insurers, and lawyers and clients. Many cases involve claims for contract breach, restrictive covenant enforcement, franchise termination or rescission, fraudulent inducement, rescission, violation of state franchise and unfair trade practice statutes, misleading/incomplete disclosure, and unfair trade practices.

Arthur’s law practice concentrated on litigation and arbitration of commercial matters, principally involving franchising, distribution, licensing, intellectual property, business and investment partnerships, and related fields. He has appeared as counsel in more than 20 state and federal jurisdictions throughout the United States, including Puerto Rico, and has served as trial and lead counsel in more than 100 matters for nationwide and international franchise brands.

He is a law professor at Boston University School of Law (2012-present) where he teaches alternative dispute resolution, including mediation and arbitration, in the LLM in American Law Program. Previously, he taught the business of franchising in the MBA Program at Babson College, in Wellesley, Massachusetts. (2004-2007).

Admitted to Practice

  • Supreme Court of Pennsylvania 1971
  • New York State Bar 1989
  • Massachusetts Bar 1999
  • US Supreme Court 1986
  • US District Courts ED PA, SD NY, D MA
  • Federal Circuit Courts of Appeal for 1st, 2d, 3d, 8th, 11th Circuits
  • Pro hac vice admission to more than 20 state and federal courts in connection with specific cases in which I represented parties.

Education

  • University of Pennsylvania, BA
  • Temple University Law School, JD

Professional or Trade Affiliations

  • Distinguished Fellow, International Academy of Mediators
  • Fellow, National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
  • Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators
  • Member, International Mediation Institute
  • Member, International Franchise Association
  • Member, American Association of Franchisees and Dealers
  • Member, American Bar Association

Representative Matters 

  • Mediated 200 + cases since 2017 involving claims by and against franchisors and franchisees, including franchise law violations, unfair trade practices, franchise failure, fraudulent inducement, enforcement of franchise agreements, breach of franchise agreements, covenants of good faith/fair dealing, claims against guarantors of franchise agreements, claims against franchise investors.
  • Arbitrated 25 + cases since 2017 involving including investment partnership disputes, franchise and distribution disputes including fraudulent inducement, breach of franchise agreements, claims against guarantors of franchise agreements, accidental/inadvertent franchises, proximity/encroachment, covenants of good faith/fair dealing, terminations, enforcement of restrictive covenants, business failures, claims between lawyers and clients, time share disputes.

Publications

  • “10 Things an Arbitrator Hates About Arbitration,” July 2024, milesadr.com, republished from The Franchise Lawyer, ABA
  • “How a Case I Lost 20 Years Ago Informs My Service as an Arbitrator Today,” June 2022, Arthurlpressman.com
  • What Commercial Trial Lawyers Can Learn from Transactional Lawyers About Mediation,” The Franchise Lawyer, published by ABA, Summer 2021, Vol. 21, No. 3.
  • “Secrets in Plain Sight: What a Mediator Sees that You May Not. How to Maximize Your Opportunity to ‘Win’ at Mediation,” The Franchise Lawyer, published by ABA, Summer 2020, Vol. 23, No. 2.
  • Will Work for Food Project, Webinar, July 2020, Considerations in Selection of Mediator in Domestic and International Mediations
  • “A modest proposal,” mediate.com May 2108
  • “How I Spent my First Year as a Mediator, Arbitrator and Occasional Expert Witness,” www.linkedin.com, January 2018
  • “In search of strong mediator: other characteristics considered,” American Bar Association, The Franchise Lawyer (2017) and mediate.com, November 2017
  • “Gerry Spence, Marshall McLuhan and What Lawyers Do in Mediation,” mediate.com, September 2017
  • “The Strategy of Arbitration,” American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, 2012, Justin Klein and Arthur L. Pressman
  • “How to Be Effective Advocate in Mediation,” American Bar Association Forum on Franchising, 2005, Arthur L. Pressman, Harris Chernow, Linda R. Singer
  • “The Sometimes-Blurry Line Between Independent Contractors, Franchisees and Employees,” American Bar Association Forum on Franchising 2009
  • “Labor/Employment Law Collides with Franchise Law: Holy Cow! Where Are We Going?”, International Franchise Association Annual Legal Symposium,
  • Plenary Session, Moderator and program planner 2015 “Applicable Law and Jurisdiction in Franchising, Commercial Agency and Distribution Agreements,” International Journal of Franchise Law, vol. 13, issue 6, 2015 (co-author)
  • Effective Measures to Limit Vicarious Liability Risks for Franchisors, Kelli Thompson, Scott McLester, Arthur L. Pressman, 2004
  • Current Ethical Issues in Arbitration and Mediation, Arthur L. Pressman, Bradley Block, Cathy Cronin Harris, 2007
  • Franchise Law Demystified, Understand the Legal and Business Playing Field—And Learn to Spot, Prevent and Resolve The Issue, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, February 2015, Eric Karp, Arthur Anastos, Arthur L. Pressman

Speaking Engagements

  • I have been a regular speaker since 1990 at franchise law conferences, including the American Bar Association Forum on Franchising and the International Franchise Association Annual Legal Symposium. For a specific listing of all presentations, visit americanbar.org/forumonfranchising/cumulativeindex and franchise.org/events.
Rates and Fees

Rates - Arthur Pressman

If you have questions regarding our rates and fees, please contact support@milesadr.com

BOSTON MEDIATION RATES:

Flat Rates
Standard Rate: $7,500.00 Per Day

Standard rate covers up to 12 hours of mediation time, prep, and post work. Rates are exclusive of travel expenses and administrative fees.

 

Boston Mediation Admin Fee: $500 per party
Prep/Post Time (Over 12 hours): $625 per hour
Arbitration Hourly Rates: $650 per hour
Consultation & Document Review: $500 per hour
Travel expenses, including but not limited to  flights, meals and lodging, billed separately and split equally among the parties.

MEDIATION CANCELLATION POLICY

Mediations cancelled within 10 days of the mediation will be charged a cancellation fee of $1000.
However, mediations cancelled, rescheduled or settled within 24 hours of the mediation will be charged half of the Neutral’s per day flat rate. Cancellation fees shall be sent to the cancelling party unless otherwise agreed to by the parties.

Mediation Admin Fees
Boston Mediation Admin Fee - $500 per party

ARBITRATION FEE PAYMENT POLICY

Arbitration Commencement and Administrative Fee is $1500.00 per party, per arbitrator. At the commencement of arbitration, each party will be invoiced $1500.00. This fee is refundable minus $500.00 per party until the initial case management order has been issued. All arbitration related invoices are due upon receipt.

ARBITRATION CANCELLATION POLICY

If a single-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 15 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate. However, if the single-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 2 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator’s hourly rate.

If a multi-day Arbitration Hearing scheduled on the merits of the case cancels or reschedules within 28 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 4 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing. However, if the multi-day Arbitration Hearing cancels or reschedules within 7 business days of the hearing, the parties will be charged 8 hours of the Arbitrator's hourly rate for each day reserved for the hearing.

Issuance of the Final Arbitration Order/Award

Arbitration Awards/Orders will not be issued to either party until Miles has received full payment for all fees and expenses associated with the arbitration.