Independent expert evaluation before any formal step. Clarity on merits, risk, and the realistic range of outcomes — from $200.
Explore NES →Seven instruments. One methodology. Arbitration is always the last resort — every instrument before it is designed to prevent it.
Explore DRS →1,329+ certified neutrals. 80+ countries. 12 sector benches. Exclusive by design — maximum 10 per sector per country.
The Profession →Independent. Impartial. International.™ The global home of trusted neutrals — governed by the Global Council, powered by INDS™.
About the Institution →Evaluate
Independent Neutral Evaluation (INE™)11-section NER report · INDS™ governed→ Clarity Snapshot™ — $200Fast-track · 3–5 days→ Standing NeutralPrevention from contract execution→ INDS™ Methodology→Who We Serve
For General Counsel→ For Global Corporations→ For SMEs — from $2,500→ For Lawyers & Legal Firms→ For Construction & Infrastructure→ For International Trade→Resolution Instruments
MediationFrom $800 · Singapore Convention · 56+ countries→ Expert DeterminationBinding · From $2,000→ Neutral Chairing→ Arbitration (Last resort)NY Convention · 164 countries→Prevention
CPRS™ Corporate Prevention→ Dispute System Design→ Neutral Appointing Service→12 Sectors
Construction & Infrastructure→ Banking & Finance→ All 12 Sectors — Full Directory→Join the Bench
Apply for Certification — Free5–7 days · Pay only on approval→ For Neutrals — Overview→ Governance & Ethics→Learn
The Neutrals AcademyCPD-accredited · Foundation to Advanced→ The Neutrals Connect→ Insights & Thought Leadership→ World Neutrals Summit 2026Barcelona · August 2026 · 75 spots→Already Certified?
My Dashboard→ My Bench Profile→
Founder, Maura A. Smith Law Offices LLC, 2015 - Present; Ex. Vice President, General Counsel & General Secretary, Delhaize Group, 2013 - 2014; Ex. Vice President, Government Affairs, General Counsel and Secretary, PepsiCo, Inc., 2011 - 2012; Sr. Vice President, General Counsel, Secretary & Government Relations, International Paper, 2003 - 2011. Sr. Vice President, General Counsel & Secretary, Owens Corning,
Broad commercial and corporate experience. Partner, Baker & McKenzie, then served as vice president and general counsel of large GE division,before becoming the GC and corporate secretary of four public companies since 1998 (Owens Corning, International Paper, PepsiCo, and Delhaize Group).
Expertise includes successfully addressing matters in the following areas: corporate governance and securities; executive compensation and termination; compliance and risk management; complex transactions and commercial contracts (including multi-billion dollar joint ventures, licensing and supply agreements, mergers, acquisitions, and divestitures), including non-U.S. transactions and joint ventures.
Responsible for managing significant litigation (antitrust, environmental, product liability, employment, and intellectual property), frequently resolving matters through alternative dispute resolution methods.
Representative matters include nationwide class actions and individual actions for product liability, property damage, personal injury, antitrust and unfair competition, theft of trade secrets, patent infringement, wage and hour and other discrimination claims, consumer labeling, and violations of various environmental, health and safety regulations, including matters arising under the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act, CERCLA, and RCRA, as well as other state regulations affecting air, water, solid waste and hazardous materials (including the manufacture of chemicals, transport-storage-disposal, cleanup and emergency preparedness, and community right to know), noise, pesticides land use controls and endangered species.
As the general counsel for several large public companies, resolved several significant matters through arbitration and/or mediation. Disputants were large public companies, and the amounts in controversy often exceeded $100 million.
Types of matters ranged from breach of contract, and patent infringement, to disputes related to large transactions and joint ventures. In private practice, represented clients in complex commercial and banking matters, as well as in partnership disputes resolved through mediation.
AAA Rise in Retaliation Claims - Risks and Best Practices, 2017 AAA Arbitration Awards - Safeguarding, Deciding and Writing Awards (ACE01), 2017; AAA "Exceeded Powers"• - Recent Trends in Cases Challenging Arbitrator Authority, 2017; AAA Addressing the Challenges of Demanding Arbitrations: Part 1 ~ The Pre-Hearing Landscape, 2017; AAA Arbitration Fundamentals and Best Practices for New AAA Arbitrators, 2016; Awards; Safeguarding, Deciding & Writing Awards, 2016
Vassar College (BA-1977). University of Oxford (MPhil-1979). University of Miami School of Law (JD-1982).
ArbitrationMediation