Katherine Simpson

Katherine Simpson is a Part-time Professor of Practice at the James E. Rogers College of Law, University of Arizona, where she contributes her extensive expertise in dispute resolution and international arbitration. She is also a prominent arbitrator with global practice, serving under AAA, ICDR, FMCS, CPR, CAfA, and ICAC rules.

Her research and professional focus lies in dispute resolution, international and commercial arbitration, labor and employment disputes, and advancing diversity in ADR. She is a recognized leader in promoting equity in neutral appointments and has been shortlisted twice for the Global Arbitration Review awards for these efforts.

Katherine Simpson has held leadership roles in major professional organizations, including serving as Immediate Past Chair of the Women in Dispute Resolution (WIDR) Committee of the ABA, and as Board Member, Vice Chair, and Interim CEO of the Ray Corollary Initiative (RCI), where she drafted a foundational $750,000 grant. She is Editor in Chief of the Kluwer Arbitration International Commercial Arbitration Templates and Examples series.

Her awards include:

• Shortlisted for Global Arbitration Review (GAR) Annual Awards (twice)
• Outstanding Service Award from ABA Dispute Resolution Section

She is actively involved in advising and professional service, though no formal PhD or Master's students are listed. Her work bridges academic scholarship and high-level legal practice, contributing significantly to both education and policy in arbitration. She is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, College of Commercial Arbitrators, and American Bar Foundation, and maintains panel memberships with leading ADR institutions worldwide.

Katherine Simpson is affiliated with 33 Bedford Row Chambers (UK) and serves on panels including the London Court of International Arbitration (LCIA), ICC via USCIB, and Sport Resolutions. Her editorial and grant-writing activities reflect deep scholarly engagement. She is not associated with any laboratory or research team in the traditional academic sense, but leads initiatives such as the Ray Corollary Initiative and WIDR Committee, which function as professional-academic collectives advancing equity and best practices in arbitration.