If you happened to read The New York Times today (March 24, 2011) nestled in the Business Section were two articles related to arbitration. One article was “Sheen Loses Bid to Block Arbitration” and the other was “Chief of American Apparel Faces 2nd Harassment Suit.” The Sheen article related to none other than the American icon, Charlie Sheen. The news was that Judge Jacqueline A. Conner of Los Angeles Superior Court turned down a last-minute request for a temporary restraining order that…

In a Missouri Court of Appeals decision this week an arbitration provision was held to be unconscionable and unenforceable.  Manfredi v. Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City, No. WD71150 (Mo. App. W.D. 2011).  In this case Manfredi, a licensed chiropractor, entered into an Allied Provider Network Agreement (the “Agreement”) with Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Kansas City and its affiliates (“BCBS”).  The Agreement was on a form contract drafted by BCBS and presented to Manfredi on…