Any claim or controversy arising out of or in connection with this Agreement shall be resolved, to the extent possible, within forty-five (45) days through informal meetings and discussions held in good faith between appropriate representatives of the parties. Any remaining claim or controversy shall be settled by binding arbitration administered by the American Arbitration Association (“AAA”) in accordance with its Commercial Arbitration Rules then in effect by a single arbitrator in Los Angeles County; provided, however, that binding arbitration shall not be utilized to adjudicate matters that primarily involve review of Provider’s professional competence or professional conduct, and shall not be available as a mechanism for appeal of any determinations made as to such matters. If possible, the arbitrator shall be an attorney with at least fifteen (15) years of experience, including at least five (5) years of experience in managed health care. The parties shall conduct a mandatory settlement conference at the initiation of arbitration, to be administered by AAA. The arbitrator shall have no authority to provide a remedy or award damages that would not be available to such prevailing party in a court of law, nor shall the arbitrator have the authority to award punitive damages. Each party shall bear its own costs and expenses, including its own attorneys’ fees, and shall bear an equal share of the arbitrator’s and administrative fees of arbitration. The parties agree to accept any decision by the arbitrator as a final determination of the matter in dispute, and judgment on the award rendered by the arbitrator may be entered in any court having jurisdiction. Arbitration must be initiated within one year of the earlier of the date the claim or controversy arose, was discovered, or should have been discovered with reasonable diligence; otherwise it shall be deemed waived. The use of binding arbitration shall not preclude a request for equitable and injunctive relief made to a court of appropriate jurisdiction.