LEAH MURRAY ALBERT

GENERAL OVERVIEW

Leah Murray Albert, J.D. possesses 39 years of legal and ADR experience. Ms. Albert practiced law from 1984 to 1989 and then pivoted to full-time arbitration in 1990. She has arbitrated matters involving virtually every field of civil law but has deep expertise in all facets of construction.

Ms. Albert has heard home warranty disputes for the entire length of her career and has heard just about every kind of dispute that can arise, ranging from issues in rural areas such as septic systems and septic system installation, to urban issues involving multi-owner dwellings.

Ms. Albert also served as an advisor to one of the region’s largest high-end home building companies for about a decade.

Ms. Albert has served as sole arbitrator or member (usually chair) of tripartite panels in a wide variety of institutional and ad hoc cases applying FINRA, American Arbitration Association, administered and non-administered rules.

REPRESENTATIVE ARBITRATIONS

• Soil Subsidence. Issues surrounding inadequate soil compaction and soil composition.
• HVAC. Issues surrounding HVAC repair adequacy when homeowner built addition on to their residence.
• Septic System. Claim by homeowner that septic system was improperly installed resulting in soil leaching.
• Foundations. Issue with an 8-foot pour when contract called for a 9-foot pour.
• Concrete Work. Concrete contractor neglected to protect HVAC system during interior work and allegedly caused homeowners respiratory issues.
• Flooring. Subcontractor allegedly installed substandard hardwood with allegations of attempts to conceal same.
• Skylights. Allegations of skylights leaking and whether warranty provided coverage.
• Low Voltage. Allegations regarding inadequate installation of low voltage system for home security and A.V. systems.
• Mold Remediation. Whether a waterproofing system was inadequately installed resulting in mold in homeowner’s home.
• Decking. Arbitrated issue of whether HOA or individual owners were responsible for flawed and unstable decking.

PRACTICE AREAS

• Arbitration
• Business/Commercial
• Construction
• Engineering and Construction
• Environmental
• Federal Law
• Governmental/Public Agency
• Insurance (Life Insurance, Property and Casualty,)
• Intellectual Property
• International & Cross-Border
• On-Line Dispute Resolution
• Professional Liability
• Real Property

ADR TRAINING AND EDUCATION

Deescalating Workplace Conflict: St. Louis Center for Conflict Resolution, July, 2022; ACE21
Impartiality: Do You Know Where Your Biases Are? 2021; ACE20 Cyber
Security: A Shared Responsibility, 2020; AAA ACE19 Case Finances: What
Arbitrators Need to Know, 2019; ADS 02 Pro Se - Managing Cases with Self-
Represented Parties, 2018; Arbitrator Performance and Demeanor ~ Meeting
Participant Expectations, 2018; AAA Arbitrator Subpoenas: Are They Worth the
Paper They're Printed On?, 2017; AAA eDiscovery - Arbitration in a Digital World
ACE12, 2016; AAA Managing Arbitrations Following the Preliminary Hearing
ACE07, 2015; AAA Arbitration Awards: Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing
Awards ACE01, 2015; AAA Managing the Arbitration Process for Efficiency &
Economy Following the Preliminary Hearing, 2012; AAA Dealing With Delay
Tactics in Arbitration ACE04, 2007; AAA Pro Se: Managing Cases Involving Self-
Represented Parties (ACE002), 2006; AAA Commercial Arbitrator II: Advanced
Case Management Issues, 2005; Arbitrator Update 2003; SquareTrade, Mediation Training, 2003; AAA Arbitrator I Training-Fundamentals of the Arbitration Process, 2002; Oregon Mediation.com, Mediation Training, 1995.

Education

Washington University (JD, Law Quarterly-1984); Emory University (BA,
Economics/Labor Economics-1981)

Venues

While based out of St. Louis, Ms. Albert welcomes the opportunity to travel to any venue of convenience to the parties. Ms. Albert is also conversant in and amenable to Zoom arbitrations as well.