Resolutions: A Podcast About Dispute Resolution and Prevention

A Conversation About Access to Justice and the Efficacy of ODR Processes

Amy J. Schmitz, Elwood L. Thomas Missouri Endowed Professor of Law at the University of Missouri School of Law discusses her research into the efficacy of online dispute resolution processes and how those processes affect access to justice for participants.
Prof. Schmitz's research can be found on her SSRN page: https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/cf_dev/AbsByAuth.cfm?per_id=522704

Be Inclusive: Opportunities to Take Action for Gender Diversity

The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution in collaboration with the New York International Arbitration Center (NYIAC) hosts this innovative podcast convening global thought leaders to discuss the state of gender diversity in international arbitration.
Topics include the impact of key initiatives and working groups (e.g. the recent ICCA Report of the Cross-Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings, the Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) Pledge and ArbitralWomen), the role of local and regional perspectives on diversity, and access and advocacy for and on behalf of all stakeholders.
The session aired live on October 5 at 12:00 PM ET and is now available for on demand listening.
- ICCA Report of the Cross-Institutional Task Force on Gender Diversity in Arbitral Appointments and Proceedings (https://www.arbitration-icca.org/publications/ICCA_Report_N8.html),
- Equal Representation in Arbitration (ERA) Pledge (http://www.arbitrationpledge.com/)
-ArbitralWomen (https://www.arbitralwomen.org/)

Meet the Education Committee Co-Chairs Linda Gerstel and Aaron Gothelf

New Leadership at the Section: Meet the Education Committee Co-Chairs Linda Gerstel and Aaron Gothelf
In this podcast, Linda Gerstel (Independent Arbitrator and Mediator and Adjunct Professor of Law at Fordham Law School) and Aaron Gothelf (AAA-ICDR Commercial Vice-President in San Francisco) discuss their goals for the year ahead.
Topics discussed:
-increased collaboration across Sections and with key dispute resolution stakeholders (e.g arbitral institutions, academic centers, in-house counsel)
- interactive sessions for heightened audience engagement
- modalities for candid networking about the new normal we now inhabit
Listen in and get involved in the Section’s happenings!

A Conversation on Ombuds Day 2020

Jon Lee and Ken Skodacek discuss Ombuds Day 2020, what it means to be an Ombudsperson, and how ombuds programs have adapted to the COVID-19 Pandemic.
For more information on how to virtually attend Ombuds Day 2020 on October 8, 2020, visit https://abaombudsday.wordpress.com/

The Inaugural 2020 Dispute Resolution Tech Expo: Meet the Organizers

In this episode, Susan Andrews, Chris Draper, and David Larson sit down to discuss the newly fashioned Tech Expo, tailored to meet the demands of ADR professionals in the new age of virtual connection.
Sessions will include discussions on accessibility and picking the right technology, present and future scenarios in ODR, increasing collection rates and getting paid, and overcoming leadership challenges, in parallel with innovative social sessions in the exhibit hall and with thought leaders.
Tune in also for a Master Distiller Session with Woodford Reserve and unearthing your bourbon of choice. The Tech Expo launches virtually September 14-18, and we hope to see you there!
Register at ambar.org/DRTechExpo!
Susan Andrews (https://andrewsdisputeresolution.com/)
Chris Draper (https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherhdraper/)
David Larson (https://mitchellhamline.edu/biographies/person/david-larson/)

A Conversation on Screening Guidelines for Abuse and Neglect in Elder Law Mediation

A panel of members of the Task Force on Elder Abuse Screening for Mediators discusses the newly created Elder Abuse and Neglect Screening Guidelines that provide information about possible signs of elder neglect and abuse that negatively impact the ability of older adults' participation in mediation.
In this episode, Adam Martin speaks with Monica Lichtenberger, an elder care mediator and trainer with 24 years of experience; Shawnieka Pope, a licensed clinical social worker, who currently serves as Director of Guardianship and mediator for Montgomery County Probate Court; Zena Zumeta, a graduate of the University of Michigan Law School and a long-time mediator and national trainer of mediators based in Ann Arbor, Michigan; and Sue Bronson, Co-Chair of the ACR ElderJustice Initiative on Eldercaring Coordination, and a mediator and trainer with over 35 years of experience.
A link to the Guidelines is available at https://www.americanbar.org/content/dam/aba/administrative/dispute_resolution/materials/elder-abuse-and-neglect-screening-guidelines.pdf
An article on the Task Force is available at https://www.americanbar.org/content/assets/metadataeditor.html/content/dam/aba/administrative/dispute_resolution/materials/elder-abuse-and-neglect-screening-guidelines-article.pdf

Adventures in Environmental and Public Policy Mediation

We’ve covered lots of practice areas for dispute resolution, but one you may not know as much about has to do with environmental issues: from the air we breathe to the water we use.
Michelle Straube has made environmental and public policy mediation the focus of her work. She’s a retired professor at the University of Utah and former director of the Environmental Dispute Resolution Program at the Wallace Stegner Center in the College of Law. She also directed Salt Lake Solutions, a collaborative government initiative.
Michelle spoke with co-host Larry Schooler and his teaching colleague, Stephen Rye, about her fascinating career in environmental dispute resolution.

Re-Release: Nuts & Bolts of Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) with Colin Rule

In this second installment, Colin Rule shares his insights on online dispute resolution’s (ODR’s) growth in the last decade, during the COVID19 pandemic, and future applications in collaboration with artificial intelligence, bitcoin, and smart contracts. Of note, Colin was awarded the inaugural 2020 Frank E.A. Sander Award by the ABA Center for Innovation in conjunction with this Section. Tune in to learn more about Colin and his work!
Note: Since the episode’s recording, Colin joined Mediate.com as its President and CEO. We wish him well on his new adventure.

The Imperative on Prevention: How Does This Change Your Practice

On Tuesday, June 30th, the ABA Dispute Resolution Section will host a special virtual “town hall” starting at 12pm Eastern time with both full group and breakout sessions to discuss a fascinating topic.
A Task Force on Innovative Processes of Conflict Prevention led by Section Chair Joan Stearns Johnsen has spent the last several months exploring how we can adapt our skills to conflict prevention through the use of standing and stand-by neutrals as well as deal facilitators.
This task force is focused on effecting the implementation of our dispute resolution techniques at ever earlier stages in order to help manage and maintain relationships and prevent nascent conflict from devolving into litigation.
For more information and to register for the town hall, visit https://ufl.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_jk51soT-RtqUYEH3ub0jUQ

A Conversation with JAMS’ Kimberly Taylor, Senior Vice President, Chief Legal & Operating Officer

Rekha Rangachari sits down with Kim Taylor to discuss JAMS’ involvement with the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, new developments, and resilience in the time of COVID-19.
The Section thanks JAMS for their sponsorship of the successful Virtual Spring Meeting that ran May 18-22.
Tune in to learn more!