July: Pono

The word of the month for July is “pono.” In Hawaiian, pono loosely translates to “truth and justice” or “righteousness.” The state motto of Hawai’i is: “Ua Mau ke Ea o ka ‘Aina i ka Pono,” which means “the life of the land is perpetuated in righteousness.” Truth. Justice. Righteousness. Sounds like the tagline of … Continue reading July: Pono

Party Self-Empowerment from Preparation for Mediation Sessions

In The Critical Importance of Pre-Session Preparation in Mediation, I explained why parties’ preparation for their mediation sessions can produce many significant benefits.  This post suggests that preparation before mediation sessions is an important opportunity for parties to empower themselves. People have used the concept of “empowerment” in mediation in various ways, as I described … Continue reading Party Self-Empowerment from Preparation for Mediation Sessions

ADR and Labor & Employment Law Resources

From my colleague, Rafael Gely: As you begin to prepare your courses for the next academic year, the National Academy of Arbitrators’ Research and Education Foundation (REF), an organization that provides funding that promotes research, publications, and education that contribute to the field of labor and employment arbitration, wanted to share with you the following … Continue reading ADR and Labor & Employment Law Resources

Len Riskin Pulls It All Together in Managing Conflict Mindfully

I had the good fortune to be Len Riskin’s colleague from 2000, when I arrived in Missouri, until he moved to the University of Florida in 2007. He now is a Visiting Professor of Law and Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center on Negotiation, Mediation, and Restorative Justice at Northwestern University Pritzker School of Law … Continue reading Len Riskin Pulls It All Together in Managing Conflict Mindfully

What We Do Is So Important

My colleague, Ilhyung Lee, pointed me to another graduation speech highlighting the importance of generally listening respectfully to and engaging with people we disagree with.  He sent me a link to a speech by University of Chicago Law Professor Tom Ginsburg, entitled “Conversation and Democracy.”  I had cited Bret Stephen’s speech and Jen Reynolds linked … Continue reading What We Do Is So Important

Sander Award Winners – Bipartisanship and Reform in Congress

As those of you who were in Las Vegas for the ABA Conference know, the 2023 Frank E. A. Sander Award for Innovation in Dispute Resolution went to the House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress. Named for long-time Harvard Law School professor Frank Sander, the Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in ADR Award was established to recognize … Continue reading Sander Award Winners – Bipartisanship and Reform in Congress

Discussions in Dispute Resolution: The Next Generation

Indisputably contributors Andrea Schneider, Sarah Cole, and I are at it again beginning work on Discussions in Dispute Resolution: The Next Generation, the 2nd book in the Discussions in Dispute Resolution series (order the first one here or here).  The book will be a commentary on 16 essential ADR articles for the years 2000-2009, and … Continue reading Discussions in Dispute Resolution: The Next Generation