In a strategic acquisition aimed at enhancing its online dispute resolution (ODR) offerings, the American Arbitration Association (AAA) has taken over ODR.com, a pioneer in ODR systems, along with its parent company, Resourceful Internet Solutions Inc. (RIS). This acquisition also includes Mediate.com, Arbitrate.com, and Ombuds.org, which are all part of RIS’s portfolio.
The immediate priority of this collaboration is to augment AAA’s mediation services with an extensive range of ODR products, an area seeing rapid global growth. “Demand for ODR is growing rapidly worldwide, and working with the AAA will keep us on the cutting edge,” noted Colin Rule, CEO of RIS. This alliance is poised to make alternative dispute resolution (ADR) more accessible to a broader audience.
The acquisition follows 18 months after AAA appointed Bridget Mary McCormack, the former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, as its President and CEO. Under McCormack’s leadership, AAA has significantly embraced innovation, especially in the domain of generative AI.
Colin Rule, a recognized innovator in the ODR field, previously founded Online Resolution and held the position of Director of ODR for eBay and PayPal. In 2011, he co-founded Modria.com, an ODR technology company later acquired by Tyler Technologies. Rule stated that ODR.com, which will continue as a separate for-profit subsidiary of AAA, brings essential software and experience to scale ODR systems globally.
Bridget McCormack emphasized that this acquisition would enable AAA to extend its reach into high-volume, low-value cases, previously unaddressed by its traditional focus. Both McCormack and Rule envision using AI-driven applications to support this expansion.
The full impact of the acquisition will be seen across all forms of ODR including mediation, arbitration, and ombuds services. For more details on the acquisition, refer to the original article.