Veteran Life Sciences General Counsel and Law Firm Litigator, Allen Waxman, to Take Helm as CPR President and CEO

June 3, 2019

Former roles as litigator and business leader—for law firms and companies large and start-up, domestic and international—position Waxman optimally to lead this dynamic organization

New York (June 3)—The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), a global nonprofit organization that advances dispute prevention and resolution practices and services, announced that Allen Waxman has been selected as CPR’s next President & CEO, replacing outgoing President & CEO Noah J. Hanft, effective August 15.

Waxman joins CPR after an extensive career in industry and at law firms. Waxman served as General Counsel at Pfizer, at Eisai Inc—the North American affiliate of the Japanese-based pharmaceutical company, Eisai Co Ltd—where he also led the Market Access business unit, and at Roivant Sciences, a start-up building biotech and healthcare technology companies.  Waxman practiced law as a partner at Williams & Connolly, in Washington, D.C., where he tried criminal and civil cases. Later in his career, he joined Kaye Scholer LLP (now Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer) in New York as a partner. He led the firm’s multidisciplinary Life Sciences Group while also developing and executing on resolution strategies for clients. Waxman has also served on the board of a variety of professional and social justice organizations, including as the Chairman of the Bioethics Committee of the board of BIO, and as Chairman of the Boards of Equal Justice Works, the Thurgood Marshall Academy Public Charter High School in Washington, D.C., and Day One in New York City. Waxman currently serves on the board of Rising Ground, a human services organization dedicated to helping children, adults and families in need in the greater New York City area, as well as on the Leadership Council of Convergence, a national not-for-profit dedicated to convening people of divergent views and forming alliances for action on critical national issues. Waxman was an adjunct Professor of Law at Georgetown University Law Center and began his career as a law clerk to the late, Honorable Thomas Penfield Jackson of the United States District Court for the District of Columbia. It was at Pfizer, while he was heading its litigation group, that Waxman first sought out and joined CPR as a member of CPR’s Executive Committee (now the CPR Council).

“I am incredibly excited and honored to be asked to lead this vibrant organization and to continue the tremendous work Noah and the team have done,” said Waxman. “My professional experiences have taught me the imperative of business to avoid the cost and distraction of disputes, if possible, and to manage them effectively should they arise. While litigation may at times be the necessary alternative to resolve a dispute, there are often more targeted and constructive ways to manage legal conflict. CPR - with its community of businesses across an array of industries, practicing lawyers, academics, former judges, arbitrators and meditators - is uniquely positioned to develop the industry-specific tools and resources and to provide the education and services necessary for conflict prevention and resolution. I very much look forward to joining our staff and members in sustaining the excellence of CPR’s offerings and to expanding our reach.” 

“The CPR Board thanks Noah Hanft for his commitment to the organization over the last five years,” said Carlos Hernandez, Chair of CPR’s Board & CEO of Fluor Corporation. “His tenure was marked by substantial growth and recognition of CPR as both a sophisticated thought leader and a highly regarded service provider. We look forward to working with Allen to continue that growth, and feel confident that Allen’s experience as a litigator and business leader gives him the perspective to understand the needs of all CPR stakeholders, and positions him well to lead the organization forward.”

“I am delighted to be passing the baton to a fellow, former general counsel, who I know has the understanding, passion, intellect and experience to further CPR’s mission and take the organization to the next level,” said outgoing CPR President & CEO, Noah Hanft. “In fact, as I will be continuing on as a CPR member, I will be counting on that.”

About CPR

Established in 1977, CPR is an independent nonprofit organization that helps prevent and resolve legal conflict effectively and efficiently.

• CPR Dispute Resolution is an ADR provider offering quality, efficiency and integrity via innovative and practical arbitration rules, mediation and other dispute resolution services and procedures—as well as arbitrators, mediators and other neutrals, worldwide.
• The CPR Institute, the world’s leading ADR think tank, positions CPR uniquely as a thought leader, driving a global prevention and dispute resolution culture and utilizing its powerful committee structure to develop cutting edge tools, training and resources. These efforts are powered by the collective innovation of CPR’s membership—comprising top corporations and law firms, academic and public institutions, and leading mediators and arbitrators around the world.