This 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 complex construction disputes. 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 construction projects.
The program is particularly useful for counsel involved in dispute settlement during complex construction projects, who have to handle claims arising out of delays and quality deficiencies as per contract or applicable rules. Expertise in the latest trends in dispute board management as well as arbitration is key for a flawless construction process in these projects. This Certificate puts counsel intro the driver's seat to efficiently handle these disputes.
This certificate program is the result of the collaboration between the American University Washington College of Law's Center on International Commercial Arbitration, directed by Prof. Horacio A. Grigera Naón, and the Hospitality and Tourism Law Program, directed by Prof. Steven Shapiro.
This program is particularly attractive for:
- Practitioners and law students from around the world who wish to take the courses for a certificate of participation (without final exam) or diploma (with final exam) from the prestigious Center on International Commercial Arbitration and the Hospitality and Tourism Law Program at AUWCL in Washington, D.C.
- Law students from law schools across the United States may apply for credit recognition for their respective J.D. programs, while enjoying classes in the Nation's capital.
- Law students enrolled in our law school's J.D. or LL.M. programs may join the program to earn academic credit.
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.
Certificate Structure
The Construction Law & Dispute Resolution Program consists of four modules offered between June 1 and 18, 2026. Participants can take all modules to obtain the certificate or select only one or several they are interested in as separate courses. Participants may also opt for passing final examinations after each module to earn a Diploma in Construction Law & Dispute Boards. The available modules/courses are:
Week 1 - June 1-4, 2026
Monday, June 1 and Thursday, June 4, 2026
Three hours of class each day, 6pm-9:10pm
Professors:
Ken Roberts, Partner at Venable, Chicago
Ann Russo, Executive Director, Dispute Board Foundation
Steven Shapiro, Professor at American University Washington College of Law
The typical realities of complex construction projects result in disputes and concurrent errors that are difficult to distill and even harder to resolve. These disputes often delay completion and significantly increase the cost of the project, plus additional enormous legal fees to litigate. In this course, we examine Dispute Review Boards (DRB), a conflict resolution framework in large construction projects to assist the parties to minimize, resolve, or avoid disputes and mitigate adverse impacts on projects.
Week 1 (Weekend) - June 5 and 6, 2026
Friday, June 4 and Saturday, June 5, 2026
Six hours of class each day, Friday at 1pm-7pm and Saturday, 9am to 4pm
Professors:
Steven Shapiro, Professor at American University Washington College of Law
Bjorn Arp, Professor and Assistant Director at the Center on International Commercial Arbitration, AUWCL
This course examines the principal causes of disputes in construction projects. Common issues include construction delays, disagreements over material quality, warranty obligations, and design changes. Instructors will explore these topics with support from experts involved in real-world construction projects, offering perspectives from contractors, owners, engineers, and architects.
Week 2 - June 8-11, 2026
Monday, June 8 to Thursday, June 11, 2026
6:00 PM to 9:10 PM
Professor: Hernando Otero, independent mediator and arbitrator
This course reviews the phases of a mediation, from start to finish. Following the general discussion, participants will take on the roles of mediators and advocates and actively conduct a simulated mediation process in the context of a complex construction project. 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 application in the context of dispute boards, and much more.
Week 3 - June 15-18, 2026
Monday, June 15 to Thursday, June 18, 2026
6:00 PM to 9:10 PM
Professor: Leslie King O'Neal, JAMS Arbitrator and Andrew Ness, Independent Arbitrator
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 US 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.
Diploma and Certificate of Attendance
This program offers the possibility of earning a Diploma or a Certificate of Attendance.
Participants who take the four courses but do not take the final exams will receive the Certificate in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution.
To earn the Diploma in Construction Law & Dispute Resolution, participants must be enrolled in all three courses and pass the exams (24-hour take-home).
Registration and Eligibility
Please register for each of the modules indicated above separately at these links:
U.S. Practitioners, Foreign Attorneys and Students
Any U.S. or foreign attorney or student may enroll in the Certificate Program to earn the Certificate of Attendance or the Diploma. Please register by accessing each individual course registration link provided above.
AU Washington College of Law and 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 through Eagle Service. See Academic Calendar for registration dates. Visiting J.D. students must complete the registration form available here.
CLE credit
Participants have the possibility of applying for CLE credit at their respective bar association after obtaining the certificate or diploma from this program.
Student Testimonial
