Karl Bayer was a trial lawyer representing private and public clients on a wide range of issues on both sides of the docket for over 35 years. He has been an arbitrator, court master and mediator for over 15 years and has arbitrated over 125 disputes, both as a panel member and sole arbitrator. He taught for 4 years as an adjunct professor at the University of Texas School of Law in both domestic and international arbitration and he has made numerous CLE presentations on arbitration. He has published a blog called Disputing since 2005 that covers arbitration, as well as mediation and issues related to court masters.

Tracy Walters McCormack has been fortunate to be a full-time law professor since 2000. She is the Director of Advocacy for the University of Texas School of Law. She teaches courses in advocacy in all settings, including arbitration, evidence, civil procedure and advanced trial techniques. Tracy also serves as an arbitrator (panel and solo), special master, mediator and consultant. Before leaving private practice to teach full-time she had a full litigation and administrative practice handling complex commercial and healthcare arbitrations, trials and hearings. In the courses offered here, Tracy combines her unique perspective from representing clients and being an arbitrator with her academic knowledge to help lawyers become effective advocates in arbitration. She is a member of ABOTA, (American Board of Trial Advocates) on the boards of NBTA (National Board of Trial Advocacy) and NITA (National Institute of Trial Advocacy) and a former president of the Lochridge Inn of Court in Austin, Texas.