Magnify Photo

This summer 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 difficult construction disputes. We will discuss the standard form contracts of the leading construction law associations worldwide, with particular focus on U.S. construction practice. 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 large construction projects.

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.

Courses

The International Arbitration Summer Institute consists of six courses in English and six in Spanish, offered between May 27 and June 19, 2025. Participants can take all courses, or select only the ones in either language or just pick out the ones they are most interested in. The available courses are:

Week 1 - June 2-6, 2025

• Construction Law & Dispute Boards (registration link coming soon!)

Week 2 - June 9-12

• Construction Arbitration in the United States and in Comparative Perspective (14 hours or 1 academic credit)

Monday, June 9 to Friday, June 12, 2025
2:00 PM to 5:10 PM 
Professors: Andrew Ness
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.

• Mediation: Theory & Practice (14 hours or 1 academic credit)

Monday, June 9 to Thursday, June 12, 2025
6:00 PM to 9:10 PM
Professor: Hernando Otero
This course reviews the phases of a typical mediation, from start to finish. The professor discusses each phase with the students. Following the general discussion, participants will take on the roles of mediators and advocates and actively conduct a simulated mediation process. 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 analysis of the international growth in the field, and much more.

Diploma and Certificate of Attendance

This program offers the possibility of earning a Diploma or a Certificate of Attendance.

Participants who take less than three courses or do not take the final exams will receive a Certificate of Attendance.

To earn the Diploma, participants must be enrolled in all three courses and pass the exams (24-hour take-home).

Registration and Eligibility

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 through the general registration page, available here. 

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

AU Washington College of Law is an approved CEL provider for Pennsylvania and Virginia. Attorneys licensed in Alaska, Connecticut, Colorado, Maine, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, and Wisconsin may obtain CLE credit for courses approved by Pennsylvania or Virginia.

Upon request, the Continuing Legal Education Program at American University Washington College of Law will provide attorneys with all necessary documents and information to obtain CLE credits for all other MCLE jurisdictions that have not specifically approved this course. Please contact cle@wcl.american.edu if you have any questions.

Housing in Washington, D.C.

The entire 2025 Certificate Program will take place in-person in Washington, D.C. Participants may opt to stay in the American University's East Campus dormitories. Please reach out to us for information on the housing registration, which is open only during a short period in spring. Please note there is only very limited capacity in the student dorms, and alternative housing is recommended. 

Please also see below, in the additional resouces section, for more information about housing.