Originally from Journal of American Arbitration (JAA)

Preview Page

I. INTRODUCTION 

II. OVERVIEW OF SUPREME COURT’S FAA PREEMPTION DOCTRINE 

A. Conflict Preemption 

B. Choice of Law Clause Exception 

C. Preemption of State Procedural Rules. 

III. STATE COURTS’ INCONSISTENT USE OF FAA PREEMPTION OF VACATUR MOTIONS 

A. New York 

B. Texas 

C. Florida 

D. Georgia 

E. Illinois 

F. The Exception:  California 

IV. OVER-PREEMPTION OF VACATUR LAW FRUSTRATES STRONG PUBLIC POLICIES 

V. A FRAMEWORK TO REDUCE OVER-PREEMPTION 

A. Section 10 of the FAA Does Not Apply In State Court 

B. Manifest Disregard is Not Part of the FAA 

C. State Courts Should Apply State Vacatur Law Unless Those Grounds Conflict with the Substantive Principle of Arbitrability of the FAA 

VI. CONCLUSION