This 4-page article riffs on comments at a program at the recent ABA Section of Dispute Resolution conference to illustrate how oxymoronic the terms “facilitative,” “evaluative,” and “empowerment” have become. When people use these terms, we kinda, sorta, probably think we know what they mean. But we don’t really know. The article suggests ways that … Continue reading Oxymorons R Us
St. Catherine University in St. Paul hired Jacqueline Font-Guzmán to serve in the inaugural role of senior vice president of equity and belonging, beginning August 1. She currently serves as the inaugural vice president for diversity, equity, and inclusion and a tenured professor at the Center for Justice and Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University in … Continue reading Jacqueline Font-Guzmán Takes New Position at St. Catherine University
I recently gave a presentation about how mediators use technology in their practices. The program was organized by the Technology and Mediation Committees of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution and co-sponsored by seven other committees. I’m sure no tech expert but I used the program to collect data from practitioners who use technology in … Continue reading A Snapshot of How Mediators Use Technology These Days
Here are excerpts from an article in the ABA Journal: Oregon’s new Supervised Practice Portfolio Examination that allows ABA-accredited law school graduates to join the state’s bar by working closely with a supervising attorney instead of taking the bar exam is gaining traction with candidates and potential employers. … The additional pathway allows applicants to … Continue reading Oregon’s Alternative Pathway to the Bar Proves Popular
This short article summarizes a program entitled Pracademically Speaking: Incorporating Real-World Legal Practice Into the Curriculum at the Legal Educators Colloquium during the annual conference of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. Debra Berman and Denise Peterson (South Texas College of Law Houston) and I gave the presentations. The article describes problems with legal curricula, … Continue reading Preparing Law Students for Real-World Practice
At its midyear meeting, the ABA House of Delegates unanimously approved Resolution 500, which states: That the American Bar Association urges lawyers and all interested parties to increase the informed and voluntary use of Early Dispute Resolution: party-directed, non-adjudicative approaches to resolve disputes in a time-efficient and cost-effective manner, including, but not limited to, direct … Continue reading ABA Adopts Policy Encouraging Early Dispute Resolution
This short article uses Real Practice Systems (RPS) theory to identify things that mediators can do to improve their mediation skills. Mediators can begin by recognizing that they have a complex mediation practice system if they mediate regularly. The article includes links to a short video and articles to help them understand their unique systems. … Continue reading Top Ten Ways to Improve Your Mediation Skills
The movement to license lawyers in ways other than simply passing a bar exam is marching on. According to an article in the ABA Journal: The Nevada Supreme Court is considering a proposal to shift its licensure process to a three-stage assessment echoing the process for medical doctors. According to the proposal submitted April 1, … Continue reading Nevada Will Consider Three-Stage Process to Join Bar
This post summarizes the discussion in a program entitled “Ready, Set, Mediate!” at the recent Court ADR Symposium. The program about helping parties prepare for mediation sessions was part of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution’s annual conference. This post includes the audience’s experiences of problems due to inadequate preparation for mediation sessions and a … Continue reading Ready, Set, Mediate!
From Noam Ebner: Hi all, It was so great to see so many of you at ABA-DR! [including, those I got to see but not actually speak with, there was a lot going on…] I’m writing to share the call for simulations I announced at the conference’s Resource Share session with the wider listserv community. … Continue reading Call for submissions: Pop Culture Simulations for Negotiation & Conflict Resolution Teaching
