Your Lemon Law case has been referred to Empowered Pathways for arbitration. This page explains what to expect and what happens next.

An Official Attorneys General Referral Program

Empowered Pathways is the designated Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) serving Oneida, Herkimer, and Madison Counties under the New York State Unified Court System.

If you were directed to this page by paperwork containing this QR code, your referral is part of an official Attorneys General referral program.

If you have questions about your referral, please contact us using the information at the bottom of this page.

You Have Been Referred to Arbitration

We’re glad you’re here.

We understand that participating in an arbitration hearing may be unfamiliar. Our goal is to help you understand the process, know what to expect, and ensure every participant has a fair opportunity to be heard.

The arbitrator serves as a neutral decision-maker and will issue a written decision after considering the information presented by both parties.

What to Expect

Empowered Pathways will coordinate your case, assign a neutral arbitrator, and schedule your arbitration hearing. You will receive a Notice of Hearing with the date, time, and instructions for participating.

Before your hearing, gather any documents or information you would like the arbitrator to consider. All documents you would like the arbitrator to review must be submitted to Empowered Pathways before your hearing. Instructions and deadlines for submitting materials will be included in your Notice of Hearing.

You and the manufacturer may discuss a settlement at any point before the arbitrator issues a decision. If you reach a settlement with the manufacturer, please email a complete, unredacted copy of the signed settlement agreement to lbroedel@empcny.org as soon as possible.

If both parties need additional time to continue settlement discussions, they may request an adjournment, which simply means postponing the hearing. The arbitrator will decide whether to grant the request.

If your case does not settle beforehand, the hearing will take place as scheduled. Both you and the manufacturer will have an opportunity to present information, answer the arbitrator’s questions, and explain your positions.

After the hearing, the arbitrator will review all of the information presented and issue a written decision within 5 days. Both parties will receive a copy once it has been completed.

After the arbitrator issues a written decision:

  • The decision is submitted to the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA), which forwards it to the New York State Attorney General’s Office.
  • Empowered Pathways’ role in the arbitration process is complete, and the case is closed.
  • Empowered Pathways does not participate in the collection, enforcement, or appeal of arbitration decisions.
A counselor leads a counseling session

What is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a fair, impartial process for resolving disputes outside of court. A neutral third person, called an arbitrator, conducts the hearing, reviews the information presented by both parties, and issues a written decision.

The arbitrator’s role is to ensure that each party has an equal opportunity to present their information before making an independent decision based on the facts of the case.

Throughout the hearing, the arbitrator will:

  • Listen to information presented by both parties.
  • Review documents and other relevant evidence.
  • Ask questions or request clarification when needed.
  • Issue a written decision after the hearing.

What Happens During Arbitration?

The arbitrator will explain how the hearing will work and answer any questions about the process before the hearing begins.

You’ll have the opportunity to explain your experience and discuss the documents and evidence that were submitted before the hearing. The arbitrator will consider those materials, along with the information presented during the hearing.

The manufacturer/dealer will also have an opportunity to present its information and respond to your claim.

The arbitrator may ask questions or request clarification from either party to better understand the facts of the case.

Once both parties have had an opportunity to present their information, the hearing will end. The arbitrator does not make a decision during the hearing.

After reviewing all of the evidence, the arbitrator will issue a written decision within 5 days of the hearing explaining the outcome of the case.

The goal is to provide a fair, impartial process where both parties have an equal opportunity to be heard before an independent decision is made.

What Should I bring?

Before your hearing, submit any documents you would like the arbitrator to consider to Empowered Pathways by the deadline provided in your Notice of Hearing. These are the documents that will be available to the arbitrator during the hearing. These may include:
  • Repair orders and service records.
  • Your purchase or lease agreement.
  • Warranty information.
  • Photographs or videos of the issue, if applicable.
  • Correspondence with the dealership or manufacturer.
  • Any other documents you believe support your claim.
On the day of your hearing, it’s helpful to have:
  • A copy of your Notice of Hearing.
  • Copies of the documents you previously submitted, for your own reference.
  • Notes or a timeline to help you explain your experience.
  • Glasses, medications, water, or anything else you need to be comfortable during the hearing.
Please note: Documents that have not been submitted to Empowered Pathways before the hearing may not be available for the arbitrator’s review.

Common Questions

No. You are not required to have an attorney to participate in Lemon Law arbitration. Many consumers represent themselves, but you may choose to have an attorney or another representative if you wish.

Yes. If you would like someone to attend your hearing, such as an attorney, representative, or support person, please let Empowered Pathways know in advance so we can make the appropriate arrangements.

No. We are happy to answer questions about the arbitration process and your hearing, but we cannot provide legal advice, recommend a course of action, or discuss how the arbitrator may decide your case.

All documents you would like the arbitrator to consider should be submitted by the deadline listed in your Notice of Hearing, which is typically three business days before the hearing. If you receive new information after that deadline, please contact Empowered Pathways immediately to discuss your options.

Most arbitration hearings are completed within about an hour, although the length of the hearing may vary depending on the complexity of the case and the amount of information being presented.

Once the arbitrator issues a written decision, Empowered Pathways’ role in the case is complete. We administer the arbitration process, but we do not have the authority to enforce the arbitrator’s decision. If you have questions about enforcement after the arbitration has concluded, you may wish to consult the New York State Attorneys General Office or seek legal advice.

We are here to help guide you through the process and answer administrative questions about your case. If you have questions about scheduling, submitting documents, or the arbitration process, please contact Lillian Broedel at lbroedel@empcny.org or call/text (315) 737-9014.

A couple sits together for counseling

A Note From Our Arbitrators

Many people come to arbitration feeling uncertain or unsure of what to expect. That’s completely normal.

You are not expected to understand every part of the arbitration process before your hearing. Our role is to administer a fair, organized process and ensure that everyone has an equal opportunity to present their information before the arbitrator makes an independent decision.