Join the 2025 edition of the Certificate Program in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution!
This summer certificate program is a unique opportunity in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area to be in a classroom setting with general contractors, subcontractors, owners, and attorneys to discuss real-world cases and best practices to efficiently resolve difficult construction disputes. We will discuss the standard form contracts of the leading construction law associations worldwide, with particular focus on U.S. construction听practice. In two weeks, the condensed courses provide a solid conceptual basis and through case studies they allow discussing cutting edge issues that arise in today's large construction projects.
This certificate program is the result of the collaboration between the 猫咪社区app University Washington College of Law's听Center on International Commercial Arbitration, directed by Prof. Horacio A. Grigera Na贸n, and the Hospitality and Tourism Law Program, directed by Prof. Steven Shapiro.
This program is particularly attractive for:
Networking activities such as special lectures, coffee hours, luncheons, and site visits to D.C. law firms and institutions provide participants with ample opportunities to network beyond the classroom setting.
The International Arbitration Summer Institute consists of six courses in English and six in Spanish, offered between May 27听and June 19, 2025. Participants can take all courses, or select only the ones in either language or just pick out the ones they are most interested in.听The available courses are:
Week 1 - June 2-6, 2025
Week 2 - June 9-12
Monday, June 9听to Friday, June 12, 2025
2:00 PM to 5:10 PM听
Professors:听
This course provides an in-depth view of construction arbitration, and how it differs from other types of commercial arbitration. The classes will identify the commonalities of construction arbitrations no matter the arbitral forum or seat, as well as the differences as between international and domestic 猫咪社区app construction arbitrations. This course is ideal for those wanting significant insight to the world of construction arbitration, whether on the basis that construction disputes may occasionally be encountered, or because a career emphasizing construction disputes is being considered.
Monday, June 9听to Thursday, June 12, 2025
6:00 PM to 9:10 PM
Professor:听Hernando Otero
This course reviews the听phases of听a typical mediation, from start to finish. The professor discusses each phase with the students. Following the general discussion, participants will take on the roles of mediators and advocates and actively conduct a simulated听mediation process. They will receive expert coaching advice along the way. In addition, the course touches on issues associated with building a practice as mediator, applicable ethical codes and guidelines, an analysis of the听international growth in the field, and much more.
This program offers the possibility of earning a听Diploma or a Certificate of Attendance.
Participants who take less than three courses or do not take the final exams will receive a Certificate of Attendance.
To earn the Diploma, participants must be enrolled in all听three听courses and pass the exams听(24-hour take-home).
U.S. Practitioners, Foreign Attorneys and Students
Any U.S. or foreign听attorney or student may enroll in the Certificate Program听to earn the Certificate of Attendance or the Diploma. Please register through the general registration page, available听here.听
AU Washington College of Law and听Visiting J.D. and LL.M. Students
Any student enrolled in a U.S. law school (ABA accredited) can enroll for academic credit. AUWCL students should enroll听听See Academic Calendar for registration dates. Visiting J.D. students听must complete the registration form available here.
AU Washington College of Law is an听approved CEL provider for Pennsylvania and Virginia. Attorneys licensed in Alaska, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, and Wisconsin may obtain CLE credit for courses approved by Pennsylvania or Virginia.
Upon request, the Continuing Legal Education Program at 猫咪社区app University Washington College of Law will provide attorneys with all necessary documents and information to obtain CLE credits for all other MCLE jurisdictions that have not specifically approved this course. Please contact cle@wcl.american.edu if you have any questions.
The entire 2025听Certificate Program will take place听in-person in Washington, D.C. Participants may opt to stay in the 猫咪社区app University's East 猫咪社区app dormitories. Please reach out to us for information on the housing听registration, which is open only during a short period in听spring. Please note there is only very limited capacity in the student dorms, and alternative housing is recommended.听
Please also see below, in the additional resouces section, for more information about housing.听