Testimonials from Fellow Associates

The Associates Committee has been an excellent resource for meeting other ADR professionals from across the country. Through the Associates Committee, I have had the privilege to meet individuals who work in various disciplines, some who work in the field related to my expertise, but far greater than that, I have had the opportunity to learn about other areas and disciplines where dispute resolution is at work. Through Committee work I have been able to meet other Committee members on a personal level and hopefully have a possible impact in the future of the ADR field. I have also found the Associates Committee to be an excellent resource to meet lawyers from other countries and learn the various methods of dispute resolution utilized in their country.

Rita Payne
Director of Fee Arbitration
State Bar of Georgia
Vice Chair, Associates Committee, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution

As a practicing mediator, I believe it is important to stay current with trends, rules, and changes in regulations affecting a professional mediation practice. The ABA Section of Dispute Resolution provides its members and associates with information, seminars and articles of interest that are timely and pertinent to practicing mediators. I have personally benefited from being an associate of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution by being affiliated with an organization that has national credibility and professional standards. As a professional mediator who is not an attorney, committee work in the Section of Dispute Resolution has also afforded me the ability to network with like-minded professionals in the legal arena who support the work and practice of affiliated mediation professionals.

Arlene A. Patel
CEO, Global ADR Network
Washington, D.C.
Vice Chair, Diversity Committee, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution

The Section of Dispute Resolution of the ABA offers all those (attorney as well as those from other disciplines) who wish to be a part of the dispute resolution world a place to hang their hat and become active and involved in all of the truly important topics relating to this growing area. I have found that being a part of this has truly been a rewarding experience both from a professional as well as a personal perspective, as not only are you able to learn substantively in the area of ADR, but the personal friendships and relationships developed, are priceless gifts bestowed upon those who are actively involved with the section, as it truly is a wonderful group of people with which to be involved.

Martin J. Gofberg, JD
Former Chair, Associates Committee
Malverne, NY

As a foreign national with an extensive background in Dispute Resolution, I joined the Section to ensure that I remained current with all of the changes that are occurring in the field and to try to bridge the gap between DR professionals and lawyers. Given the current state of affairs, I am well-satisfied my objectives have been met. Members of the Section have been most cordial and receptive to constructive debate.

Dr. Robert Rushowy
Weston, FL
Vice Chair, Associates Committee, ABA Section of Dispute Resolution