NEUTRAL DECISION-MAKING | Data last verified: August 2026
Randall McCathren, Esq. · Nashville, Tennessee
Reviewed by: Randall McCathren, Esq. — President & Principal Consultant, BLC Associates, Inc.
Randall McCathren provides neutral arbitration services for consumer disputes involving auto purchases, financing, warranties, and insurance.
Binding arbitration produces a decision that is generally enforceable in court, subject to limited grounds for judicial review under the Federal Arbitration Act.
Parties select an arbitrator by mutual agreement, through the process designated in their arbitration agreement, or through an arbitration organization.
Neutral arbitrator
Evidence heard. Decision rendered.
Generally binding and enforceable
Key Takeaways
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Randall McCathren provides neutral arbitration services for consumer disputes involving auto purchases, financing, warranties, and insurance.
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Arbitration differs from mediation: an arbitrator hears evidence from both sides and issues a decision, while a mediator facilitates a voluntary settlement without deciding the outcome.
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His arbitration practice covers six dispute categories: auto purchase/leasing/financing, credit and lending, warranty and service contracts, insurance claims, consumer protection statutes, and retail/service disputes.
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Binding arbitration awards are generally enforceable in court, though federal law provides limited, specific grounds for a court to vacate or modify an award.
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Attorneys and consumers evaluating arbitration for a consumer dispute can contact BLC Associates to discuss availability and the arbitration process.
Role of the Arbitrator
An arbitrator in consumer matters serves as a neutral decision-maker who resolves disputes between consumers and businesses outside of court, typically through binding arbitration.
Unlike a mediator, an arbitrator hears evidence and arguments from both sides and renders a decision, per the American Arbitration Association.
McCathren brings decades of direct experience in consumer automotive law, finance, insurance, and regulatory compliance to arbitration proceedings, informed by his work as an expert witness in automotive litigation.
Independent Review
Both sides present evidence and arguments. The arbitrator evaluates the record and issues a decision under the governing agreement and applicable rules.
Two Forms of Alternative Dispute Resolution
Arbitration and mediation are both alternatives to litigation, but they work differently.
Mediation
A mediator facilitates discussion and helps parties reach their own voluntary agreement; a mediator does not decide the outcome.
Arbitration
An arbitrator hears evidence and arguments from both sides and issues a decision that resolves the dispute, per the American Arbitration Association.
Randall McCathren provides both services for parties choosing between a facilitated settlement process and a binding decision.
A Practical Evaluation
Arbitration offers practical advantages over traditional court litigation and complements pre-dispute automotive consulting, but it is not the right fit for every dispute.
Child Custody Mediation
What Are the Limitations?
Disputes Handled
McCathren's arbitration practice spans six categories of consumer and automotive disputes.
Businesses and consumers with a dispute suited to binding resolution can contact BLC Associates to discuss the arbitration process.
Appointment & Availability
Selection authority depends on the parties' arbitration agreement, any administering organization's rules, and the dispute's specific circumstances.
Some agreements name an arbitrator directly; others allow the parties to jointly select one or use an administering organization's roster.
If the agreement allows parties to select or approve an arbitrator, they can inquire about McCathren's availability through BLC Associates.
Selection Path
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Review the arbitration agreement
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Identify the authorized selection process
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Confirm party or organization approval
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Inquire about availability
The Arbitration Process
The arbitration process generally follows four stages: initiation, pre-hearing, hearing, and award. Specific procedures depend on the arbitration agreement and the administering organization's rules.
Parties exchange relevant documents and information. Scheduling and procedural rules are established. Preliminary motions may be heard.
Either party submits a demand for arbitration. The parties appoint McCathren as arbitrator by agreement or through an arbitration organization.
Both parties present evidence, documents, and witness testimony.
McCathren typically issues a written decision within 30 days of the hearing. The award is generally binding and enforceable in court, subject to the limited grounds for judicial review described above.
Written decision timing
McCathren typically issues a written decision within 30 days of the hearing. Overall timing depends on the governing agreement, administering rules, and case complexity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Practical information about binding decisions, arbitrator selection, timing, review, and common consumer-dispute categories.
Arbitration and mediation are both alternatives to litigation, but an arbitrator hears evidence from both sides and issues a decision, while a mediator facilitates discussion and helps parties reach their own voluntary agreement without deciding the outcome. Randall McCathren provides both services.
Generally, yes. Binding arbitration produces a decision that is enforceable in court, similar to a judgment. However, the Federal Arbitration Act allows a court to vacate or modify an award on specific, narrow grounds, such as fraud, arbitrator misconduct, or the arbitrator exceeding their authority.
Consumer arbitration through McCathren can address vehicle defect and lemon law claims, along with related disputes over dealer misrepresentation and vehicle warranty coverage, drawing on his background in automotive finance and consumer protection statutes.
The arbitration process generally includes initiation, pre-hearing document exchange, a hearing where both parties present evidence, and a written award. McCathren typically issues his decision within 30 days of the hearing, though overall timing depends on the governing agreement and case complexity.
Arbitration through McCathren can address credit card billing disputes, unauthorized charges, and debt collection practices raised under the Fair Debt Collection Practices Act, along with credit reporting disputes under the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
Selection authority depends on the parties' arbitration agreement and any administering organization's rules. Some agreements name an arbitrator directly; others let parties jointly select one. If the agreement allows parties to choose or approve an arbitrator, they can inquire about McCathren's availability through BLC Associates.
Court review of a binding arbitration award is narrower than an appeal of a court judgment, which contributes to arbitration's finality. Under the Federal Arbitration Act, a court will only vacate or modify an award on specific grounds, such as fraud, arbitrator misconduct, or a decision made outside the arbitrator's authority.
McCathren arbitrates auto insurance claim disputes, including GAP insurance coverage denials, total loss valuation disagreements, uninsured and underinsured motorist claims, and bad faith insurance practices, drawing on his background in vehicle insurance and valuation.
Randall McCathren provides neutral arbitration services for consumer disputes involving auto purchases, financing, warranties, and insurance.
Arbitration differs from mediation in that an arbitrator issues a binding decision rather than facilitating a voluntary settlement, and awards are generally enforceable subject to narrow grounds for judicial review.
His arbitration process follows four general stages — initiation, pre-hearing, hearing, and award.
Businesses and consumers with a dispute suited to binding resolution can contact BLC Associates to discuss Randall McCathren's availability as arbitrator.
