About your neutral, Keith Parnell (He/Him)
Keith Parnell, Esq. Biography
Ethos
Keith epitomizes the qualities of a good neutral through his respectful demeanor, his compassion and empathy, his open-mindedness, his tact, his tolerance, his energy and his common sense approach to helping others resolve both big and small issues that drove them into conflict. Through a combination of diplomacy, thoughtful discretion and driven perseverance developed over a 20-year career serving in international legal advisory and executive roles, Keith's goal is to conclude any appointment with the involved stakeholders feeling, "amazing, we did this all by ourselves".
More About Keith's Background
Keith has recently returned to private practice as a commercial mediator, arbitrator and consulting attorney which he resumed following his successful completion of a 2-year advisory appointment to the Canadian Government on the Gordie Howe International Bridge project. As part of the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority's (WDBA) executive team, he served as primary liaison, negotiator and advisor on the US property acquisition aspects of the project between the WDBA, the Governor's Office, the Michigan Department of Transportation and the Attorney General's Office while overseeing a budget in excess of USD$400m.
Before moving into the alternative dispute resolution and consulting attorney space, Keith counseled domestic and international clients on a broad range of cross-border, corporate & commercial, structured finance, mergers & acquisitions, proxy, compliance, regulatory, and corporate governance matters. His prior professional experience includes board of directors, partner, of counsel, in-house and senior advisory roles with MacKenzie Partners (USA/UK/France), Bayard (USA), Sigma Finance Corporation (Barbados), the Maples Group (Japan/Cayman), Tokyo-Mitsubishi International (UK), Clifford Chance (UK) and Blakes (Canada).
Pro Bono Matters
Keith also serves as pro bono counsel and vice president to People to People, a US/Ethiopian charitable organization which holds consultative status with the United Nations Economic and Social Counsel (UNESCO). He also advises a start-up Ethiopian non-profit, Teach for Ethiopia, Inc., which is part of the Teach for All (Teach For America) group of non-profits focused on providing improved education and opportunities for Ethiopians in less developed areas of the country.
Professional Qualifications
Keith is an internationally qualified attorney, admitted to practice law in the State of New York, as well as Ontario, Canada and England & Wales, UK. He is an active member of the New York State Bar Association, Alternative Dispute Resolution Section. Keith is also a Certified Financial Crime Specialist and has broad experience in financial fraud matters. Since 2017, Keith has been a Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA) and National Futures Association (NFA) arbitrator.
Education & Languages
Keith obtained his Juris Doctor while attending the University of British Columbia and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts degree with great distinction in Industrial Relations from McGill University.
Keith is fluent in French and is able to provide services to French language clientele.