Introduction

Harshitha Ram is an international arbitrator and mediator, a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb) and a JAMS Diversity Fellow. She has presided over more than 300 commercial and cross-border matters as sole, co-, and chair arbitrator under institutional and ad hoc rules, including the ICC, AAA, and UNCITRAL. Her work reflects a command of international commercial law, intellectual property, technology, and construction disputes, marked by procedural precision, cultural fluency, and strategic clarity.

As Founder and President of the Global Arbitration Mediation Academy (GAMA), Harshitha leads global initiatives advancing education and innovation in dispute resolution. She is also Chair of the ADR Section of the Detroit Bar Association and incoming Co-Chair of the ABA Arbitration Committee (2025–2027). A frequent lecturer and published author, she is known for bridging theory and practice in modern ADR - combining judicial insight, academic rigor, and a global perspective to deliver fairness, efficiency, and excellence in every proceeding.

Qualifications

LL.M. (Dispute Resolution), University of South Wales, UK

LL.B. (Hons), Dr. Ambedkar Law University, India

Fellow, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), London

Licensed Attorney – Admitted to Practice in Illinois and India

Certified Mediator – Supreme Court of Michigan

JAMS Fellow, United States

Awards & Prizes

Corbett Spurn Memorial Prize – Inaugural recipient, University of South Wales, for outstanding achievement in Dispute Resolution

Outstanding Postgraduate Student in Dispute Resolution – University of South Wales, UK

Outstanding achievement award, LL.B (Honors)

Marquis Who’s Who Legal Honoree (2023) – Recognition for excellence in international arbitration and mediation

Legal Scholar Award (2025): Detroit Bar Association – In recognition of original legal work contributing innovative ideas to advance Michigan’s legal, social, educational, and economic landscape.

Outstanding ADR Section Chair Award (2024): Detroit Bar Association – Honoured for exemplary leadership and impactful contributions to the advancement of alternative dispute resolution.

ADR Community Service Award (2023): Detroit Bar Association – Recognised for significant contributions to the development of ADR through leadership, education, and community engagement.

Publications

Recent publications

Domestic Arbitration Series (12-Part) — Legal News (2024–2025)
A comprehensive practitioner’s roadmap from clause drafting through post-award enforcement.

1.     Understanding Domestic Arbitration: Foundations and Framework

2.    Drafting Effective Arbitration Clauses

3.    Jurisdiction and Arbitrability: Who Decides What

4.    Preliminary Hearings and Scheduling Orders

5.    Discovery in Arbitration: Balancing Efficiency and Fairness

6.    Motion Practice in Arbitration: Dispositive and Interim Applications

7.    The Hearing Process: Advocacy and Presentation of Evidence

8.    Witness Testimony and Expert Evidence in Arbitration

9.    Managing Multi-Party and Multi-Contract Disputes

10. The Arbitral Award: Structure, Reasoning, and Drafting Excellence

11.  Post-Hearing Submissions and Attorney Fee Applications

12.  Enforcing and Collecting Arbitration Awards: The Final Step Toward Justice

Control, Creativity, Closure: The Mediation Advantage — JAMS ADR Insights (2024), co-authored with Hon. Morton Denlow (Ret.)
Optimizing Civil Court Dockets Through Innovative Dispute Resolution Practices — Detroit Bar Association Journal (2025) — DBA Legal Scholar Award
Beyond the Bench: How Judicial Collaboration with Court-Appointed Neutrals Elevates Justice — The Judges’ Journal (ABA, forthcoming 2025)