"My experience with SquareTrade's Online Dispute Resolution process convinces me that the benefits of mediation-control, flexibility, efficiency, common sense-are just as real for business-to-business disputes online as they have proved to be in resolving traditional commercial disputes," says SquareTrade Business Panel member Richard Collier, a trial lawyer and mediator with experience resolving high end commercial disputes.

The 15 initial Business Panelists have subject matter expertise in mediating and arbitrating a wide array of dispute types. Their specialty subjects include international and domestic commerce, insurance, construction, bankruptcy, securities, employment, labor, intellectual property, general real estate, federal regulatory, maritime, environmental and health law. Business Panel members currently teach at leading academic institutions and have conducted training and/or provided mediation and arbitration services to Fortune 500 companies and government agencies including: the U.S. Department of Justice, the U.S. Department of Labor, the Internal Revenue Service, NASA, FDIC, the World Bank, SEC, EEOC, IMF and various State courts. The high-level and diverse experience of the panel members allows SquareTrade to handle complex, high value cases and provide a premium level of service to disputing businesses.

"Companies will be hesitant to trust business-to-business online marketplaces until they can be assured that they will receive an equal, if not greater, level of professionalism and service than they do offline," says Steve Abernethy, chief executive officer of SquareTrade. "For the SquareTrade Business Panel we've assembled the top mediators and arbitrators with experience spanning many industries to allow online marketplaces and their buyers and sellers access to the highest quality online solution for Online Disputes."

SquareTrade currently offers the SquareTrade Seal and dispute resolution service to eBay buyers and sellers and Onvia small business customers. In addition, all online entrepreneurs and businesses can apply for the SquareTrade Seal, which they can display on their Web sites. The Seal helps build buyer confidence and represents a seller's pledge to providing a high level of customer service, and to using SquareTrade's Problem Solving Service and technology should a dispute arise that cannot be handle via normal customer service channels.

About SquareTrade
SquareTrade is the leading innovator in online trust development, reputation enhancement and dispute resolution for e-commerce transactions. SquareTrade's critical e-commerce infrastructure gives buyers and sellers--both consumers and businesses--the confidence they need to conduct transactions online. SquareTrade addresses the all-important issue of building trust in e-business relationships, which is one of the essential enabling factors required before there will be substantial transaction volume in online marketplaces. The digitally watermarked SquareTrade Seal establishes an online seller's customer service track record, helps build buyer confidence and serves as the first line of defense against fraud. The Seal is backed by SquareTrade's patent-pending Internet-based dispute resolution service and international network of 250 mediators and arbitrators. Founded in 1999 and today with over 60 full-time employees, SquareTrade is based in San Francisco, Calif. For more information, employment opportunities or to contact SquareTrade representatives, visit the Web site at www.squaretrade.com.