Wikipedia:Arbitration Committee Elections December 2016/Candidates/Newyorkbrad/Statement

Newyorkbrad

I am standing as a candidate to return as a member of the Arbitration Committee.

As many of you know, I previously served on the Committee from 2008 to 2014. During that period, I was an active arbitrator, including as the drafter of about 25 arbitration decisions and a participant in all phases of the Committee's work. I did not run for reelection in 2014 because no one should serve in any role on Wikipedia for life, and I thought it was time to move on. But two years have passed since then, several editors I respect have asked me to consider returning to arbitrating, and I am glad to give the community that option.

Frankly, the Arbitration Committee plays a lesser role on English Wikipedia today than it has in the past, as the number of arbitration cases declines each year—and this lesser role is not a bad thing. However, the cases the Committee does decide still may involve some of the project's most contentious and difficult disputes, and the Committee has other important responsibilities.

By way of personal background, I'm an experienced litigation attorney in New York. While the ArbCom is not meant to engage in legalistic processes or to resolve legal issues, I do think it is worthwhile for at least one member to have some legal background.

Editors who have followed ArbCom's activities in the past will have a pretty good idea what you can expect from me as an arbitrator if I'm elected again. I'm also glad to answer any questions that anyone may have. Thanks for your consideration.

Disclosure: I'm already identified to the Foundation and have signed the required paperwork during my prior service, and more recently when I was appointed as a non-voting community advisory member of the Governance Committee of the WMF Board of Trustees. No other accounts besides this one.