The American Arbitration Association has introduced a specialized Web3 Panel to address disputes involving smart contracts, blockchain networks, digital assets, tokenization, decentralized systems, agentic commerce and autonomous transactions.
The initiative comes as blockchain-based infrastructure, digital assets and automated technologies become increasingly integrated into commercial operations. Their broader adoption has created new legal and business challenges, particularly in decentralized, technology-driven and cross-border environments.
The new panel is designed to provide dispute resolution expertise that combines established arbitration practices with technical knowledge of emerging Web3 and automated technologies.
The American Arbitration Association, a nonprofit organization and one of the world’s largest providers of alternative dispute resolution services, is expected to mark its 100th anniversary in 2026. Since its establishment in 1926, the organization has sought to improve the resolution of commercial and legal disputes through arbitration and other alternative dispute resolution processes.
The organization said its mission has remained focused on delivering dispute resolution services through integrity, transparency and innovation. The launch of the Web3 Panel reflects its efforts to adapt those services to the changing technological and commercial landscape.
Growing Use of Digital Technologies Creates New Dispute Categories
As companies increasingly use blockchain networks, tokenized assets, artificial intelligence and automated systems, disputes may involve a wider range of technical and legal issues.
Such cases could raise questions concerning the creation and interpretation of contracts, governance structures, control over digital assets, cybersecurity risks, transaction records and the enforcement of agreements across national borders.
Eric Dill, senior vice president, chief people officer and head of panel relations at the American Arbitration Association, said Web3-related disputes often involve traditional commercial and contractual issues but arise within highly technical operating environments.
He indicated that as emerging technologies become more deeply embedded in business operations, asset management and commercial agreements, parties require dispute resolution processes supported by trusted administration, technical expertise and effective case management.
The association said the specialized panel would help address the increasing need for arbitrators who understand both the legal principles underlying commercial disputes and the technological systems involved in Web3 transactions.
The panel brings together professionals with experience in law, technology, academia, commercial arbitration, litigation and disputes involving digital-asset businesses.
The American Arbitration Association said it would continue recruiting qualified arbitrators as the panel expands. The organization expects the group to develop alongside the Web3 sector and reflect the growing range of legal, technical and commercial matters emerging from blockchain-based activity.
Initial Panel Includes Legal and Technology Specialists
The initial members include Dr. Kabir Duggal, a partner at Akin Gump Strauss Hauer & Feld LLP. His work includes cross-border commercial disputes, investor-state matters and technology-related cases involving digital assets, blockchain systems, financial technology and other emerging technologies.
David L. Evans, counsel at Murphy & King, P.C., has experience handling complex technology disputes involving artificial intelligence, automated commerce and blockchain applications.
David A. Hoffman, the William A. Schnader Professor of Law at the University of Pennsylvania Carey Law School, has conducted research involving smart contracts, decentralized finance, standardized contracts and AI-supported contract interpretation.
The group also includes Paula Pendley, a partner at Nelson Mullins. Her work involves representing digital-asset infrastructure businesses, Bitcoin mining companies and artificial intelligence data centers in disputes and risk-management matters.
Rich Widmann, global head of Web3 strategy at Google Cloud and founder of Incite Consulting, has advised organizations on legal and commercial matters involving artificial intelligence, cryptocurrency and other emerging technologies.
The American Arbitration Association said the Web3 Panel would support the development of clearer and more enforceable dispute resolution frameworks for automated, blockchain-based and AI-enabled commerce.
The organization said the initiative builds on its broader work involving emerging technologies, including efforts to support effective alternative dispute resolution provisions and legal structures for automated commercial activity.
As new technologies, business models and forms of digital transactions continue to develop, the American Arbitration Association said it plans to expand the panel to address additional categories of disputes across the evolving Web3 ecosystem.