Bridget M. McCormack, who significantly impacted the American Arbitration Association (AAA) by driving innovation, is stepping down from her role as president and CEO. McCormack, the former chief justice of the Michigan Supreme Court, joined the AAA in 2023, where she was pivotal in adopting generative AI, enhancing the AAA’s technological footprint. Her departure reflects an enticing opportunity she described as one she could not resist, noting it aligns with her lifelong focus on access to justice, institutional innovation, and technology.
McCormack’s departure comes at a notable time, particularly as Clio has recently announced its expansion into technology development for judges, signaling that innovation tailored for the judiciary is gaining momentum. During her tenure, McCormack led the AAA in increasing annual case filings to over 580,000, expanding mediation practices and international operations, and launching tech-focused initiatives like the AAA AI Arbitrator. These efforts were covered in depth when she joined the
LawNext podcast multiple times.
Stepping in as interim president and CEO is Steve Errick, who joined the AAA also in 2023. With a background at Fastcase and LexisNexis, Errick brings a wealth of experience in legal tech and publishing. His role will be crucial as the organization embarks on a search for a new permanent leader. Errick’s appointment and McCormack’s stint with AAA can be traced back to her fervent advocacy for modernizing the justice system, an ethos she carried from her days as a vocal proponent of judicial modernization initiatives in Michigan.
While McCormack’s next position remains under wraps, the legal community will be keenly observing as she pivots to a role at the intersection of technology and justice, a space increasingly primed for transformative innovations. As we await further announcements on her new endeavor, it is clear that the AAA will continue to be a formidable force under the leadership of its adept team led by Errick. For those interested in the details of this transition, you can access more information from
LawNext.