Minnesota Auto Insurance Arbitration: Rule Changes, Effective Advocacy, AI Governance & Fair Process - Oct. 22nd, 2026

Location: Online via Zoom

Time: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. (Central Time)

Registration Fees: General: $125.00. AAA Arbitrators receive a $40.00 discount using 26ARB001 at checkout.

Program Description:

2026 Changes and What They Mean in Practice
9:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
Faculty: Markus Yira, Christy Thorson, and Krista Preach

This session will provide an overview of the 2026 amendments to the Minnesota Rules of No-Fault Arbitration Procedure and recent developments in case law. Through a panel discussion, participants will examine key rule changes affecting filings, payments, hearings, and document submissions, and explore how those changes impact parties, representatives, and arbitrators.

Attendees will gain practical guidance on implementing the amended rules within their organizations, including updating workflows, forms, communications, and hearing preparation practices. The session will also highlight common compliance and procedural pitfalls, helping participants avoid issues such as relying on outdated materials, submitting incomplete documentation, or misunderstanding revised hearing-material requirements.

What Arbitrators Find Persuasive: A Moderated Arbitrator Panel
10:10 a.m. – 11:10 a.m. 
Moderator: Nicolas J. Maxwell
Panel: Jane Anderson, Uyen Campbell, and James W. Reichert

This panel session offers a unique opportunity to hear directly from three arbitrators with different professional backgrounds and perspectives as they respond to the same set of structured questions. Through candid discussion and real-world examples of what helps and what hurts a party's case, panelists will share insights into how arbitrators evaluate written submissions, exhibits, testimony, and hearing presentations in No-Fault, Collision, and Comprehensive arbitration matters.

Participants will gain practical guidance on presenting cases more effectively, including organizing hearing materials, clearly framing disputed issues, and supporting arguments with persuasive evidence. The session will also explore how arbitrators assess credibility, address documentation gaps, and weigh competing evidence, helping attendees refine their preparation and advocacy strategies to improve outcomes in arbitration proceedings.

AI in Arbitration: Governance and Legal Oversight
11:15 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. 
Faculty: Jennifer Reeves

This session will explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping arbitration and claims-related legal work, focusing on practical applications, emerging trends, and associated risks. Participants will examine how insurers, attorneys, ADR providers, and arbitrators are using AI tools to support research, drafting, case management, and claims handling, while gaining a better understanding of the technology’s capabilities and limitations.

The program will also address the legal, ethical, and operational considerations that accompany AI adoption, including the risks of inaccuracies, hallucinated content, unsupported citations, and potential bias. Attendees will learn best practices for protecting confidential and privileged information, managing data security concerns, and implementing effective AI governance measures. 

Eliminating Bias in Arbitration: Perception, Credibility, and Fair Process
12:00 p.m. – 1:00 p.m. 
Faculty: Beth Bussian and Jake Jagdfeld

This session will explore how fairness, neutrality, and accessibility influence the arbitration process and participants' experience. Through practical examples and discussion, attendees will examine how implicit bias and perception can affect credibility assessments, evaluation of evidence, and hearing management, as well as how barriers such as language differences, disability accommodations, technology limitations, and pro se participation may impact a party’s ability to fully participate in arbitration proceedings.

Participants will also consider how an arbitrator’s professional background, affiliations, and conduct can shape perceptions of impartiality and trust in the process. The session will provide practical strategies for promoting neutrality, consistency, transparency, and procedural fairness in No-Fault, Collision, and Comprehensive arbitration cases. 

CLE Information:

Cerifi LegalEdge is coordinating the application process for continuing legal education (CLE) credit on behalf of the American Arbitration Association. CLE credit has been requested in Minnesota,  including Elimination of Bias credit for the last session of the program.

Approval and credit amounts are subject to each jurisdiction’s review and rules and therefore cannot be guaranteed or confirmed in advance. Final credit eligibility will be determined by the respective state CLE authorities upon review of the program and verified attendance.

Cancellation Policy:

Refunds (less a $25 administrative fee) are available if a written cancellation request is received no later than 10 business days before the start of the program.