New Dispute Resolution Chair Aspires To Provide Connection for Members
6.5.2025
William Crosby, Jr., is excited to take over as chair of the New York State Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section.
“Dispute resolution can be a lonely profession,” he says. “Seeking out groups like the New York State Bar Association to link us together in a community and share in our common experiences is so valuable.”
Crosby has been a member of the association for over 30 years. Now, as the leader of a section, he looks forward to continuing to offer events such as the monthly mediator roundtables while creating new programs.
To that end, Crosby spent the last few months talking to section members across the state. Based on their input, Crosby will encourage greater collaboration between section committees on events and workshops. Members also expressed interest in producing programs with other sections, and Crosby is looking into that possibility.
The section has 1,700 members, surpassing the benchmark to gain an additional seat in the House of Delegates. Crosby is excited to welcome immediate past chair Jill Pilgrim as a new delegate to the House this month.
He complimented Pilgrim for her leadership of the section, highlighting her expansion of leadership opportunities for new members, which he plans to continue.
Crosby will be the first to tell you he plays many roles at Interpublic Group, a New York based advertising and marketing company, where he works. As the senior vice president, associate general counsel and managing attorney, he oversees global litigation while serving as chief of staff for the global legal department.
While Crosby’s background is in litigation work, he says he finds his biggest sense of accomplishment when conflicts are resolved outside of the courtroom. He joined the American Arbitration Association as a commercial arbitrator in 2009 and never looked back. After 16 years in arbitration, he is training to become a mediator.
“I love arbitration, I love it,” he says. “Now, mediation is in high demand and there are new techniques and understanding in the practice of mediation that connect people on an emotional level.”
These techniques include a heightened sensitivity to cultural differences to help resolve a conflict.
“The Dispute Resolution Section is about connecting with people and building relationships. Being a part of this section sustains me, it’s worth my time for me and for them. Providing connection is at the heart of what we do,” he said.
