Judges are public figures and their decisions are published. Arbitrators in most instances have no such public track record. It will take more work to research your potential arbitrator than a judge. Instead of considering one person, you will generally have a number of individuals from whom to select.
Arbitrator Biographical Information. There is one trap in reviewing research on people to avoid—don’t rely on just one source’s comments or reaction. Focus on what the consensus points, good and bad, and discount the outliers unless they report something truly troubling.
Biographical information on the arbitration service panelists is generally written by the arbitrator. Arbitrators are fully aware that those who select them are starved for information. The arbitrator’s biographical information is provided in order to provide such information. Caveat emptor is applicable here. Any arbitrator with any sense will make a point of including information that will be comforting to both sides. Too much reliance on the biographical information provided by the potential arbitrator can thus be dangerous. Case in point: it is extremely rare for an attorney to truly have had a balanced experience in the labor & employment field: most people have represented either either the management or the employee/union side almost exclusively. I am one of the rare birds who did represent both employees and management — at the same time — for over 30 years.