OneOrlando Fund Consults Neutral

Sadly, one of the roles of a modern full-time neutral in dispute resolution practice is administration of vicitm funds. While we are still reeling from recent events from the Pulse massacre here in Orlando, it is heartwarming to see the outpouring of support and generosity from around the globe. To ensure that funds are dispersed in a timely, accountable and transparent manner, the OneOrlando Fund is apparently consulting with victim fund expert Kenneth R. Feinberg. A professional neutral, he served as the Special Master for the September 11th Victim Compensation Fund of 2001, the Claims Administrator for the One Fund Boston, the Virginia Tech Hokie Spirit Memorial Fund, the Aurora Victim Relief Fund and for the BP Oil Spill Claims Administration as the Compensation Fund Administrator. He opines that the immediate issue is whether multiple funds are competing which there seem to be, as well as individual GoFundMe campaigns. He thinks one fund is always the best way to go, allowing payment processing to be coordinated with a common criteria. He says a calculation of compensation cannot be determined until the aggregate amount is known. Interestingly, he most recently weighed in on Deflategate by filing an amicus brief in that appeal as both neutral and new to the dispute. He asserts in his amicus brief that the enforcement of Tom Brady’s suspension would trigger consequences well beyond sports. He contends it would destabilize the system of arbitration in the Unites States and that it would make it harder for himself and others like to him to carry out their duties. While it will be interesting to see how that appeal goes, for the moment, he is helping Orlando deal with the largest mass shooting in the country. See more here-- http://on.si.com/294OCid and interview http://www.wbur.org/hereandnow/2016/06/17/donations-orlando-distributed and One Orlando Fund (Strengthen Orlando, Inc.) information here-- https://www.oneorlando.org/aboutus.htm