ABA: TIPS - Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee

MESSAGE FROM THE CHAIR

Greetings ADR Committee Members and Colleagues!

I am happy to report that the ADR Committee is enjoying a triumphant revival this year! The team of people who have stepped up to make it happen is fantastic. The Committee again has momentum and many great programs and opportunities for member involvement are in place and in development. Please do not hesitate to contact me or another Committee leader if you have a suggestion, an article to publish, or would like to contribute in another way. Upcoming events and Committee news follow.

ABA 2009 Annual Meeting – Chicago, Illinois
The ADR Committee has a number of events planned for the ABA 2009 Annual Meeting. We are sponsoring a CLE program, having a business meeting, dining together informally, and completing a public service project. Please join other committee members for one or more of these events.

CLE Program – The Psychology of Negotiation
Friday, July 31, 2009 – 8:30 A.M. to 10:00 A.M. Hyatt Regency CLE Center

This program will present psychological theories that challenge and explain the conventional wisdom on the art and science of negotiation. We will first examine general negotiation effectiveness, and then discuss how to translate these lessons into mediation and, finally, provide practical advice for applying these concepts systematically to prepare for negotiations and work with clients to achieve maximum results.

Moderator:
Mark K. Stephens, CNA Insurance, Chicago, IL

Speakers:
Professor Ettie Ward, St. John's University School of Law, Jamaica, New York, NY
Professor Andrea K. Schneider, Marquette University Law School, Milwaukee, WI
Gerald F. Strachan, Strachan & Hatzell, Philadelphia, PA

The CLE program is being co-sponsored by TIPS’ Staff Counsel, Insurance Coverage Litigation, and Business Litigation Committees, as well as by the DR Section. It will be an informative program that should be of interest to everyone. Please plan to attend.

ADR Committee Business Meeting
Friday, July 31, 2009 – 7:30 A.M. to 8:30 A.M. Hyatt Regency Hotel

The Committee’s business meeting has been scheduled to occur just prior to our CLE program. If you plan to attend the CLE program, why not arrive an hour earlier and also attend the meeting? It will be an easy way for you to meet other members, learn how you can participate, or simply listen while we discuss plans for the upcoming year with Steve Joseph at the helm as Chair.

ADR Committee Informal Dinner
Thursday, July 30, 2009 – 7:00 P.M. to ?
Location TBD

Since many of us will be arriving in Chicago on Thursday given our early morning CLE time slot on Friday, we will meet informally for dinner, drinks, and some casual fun. If you are interested in joining the group, please send me an email by July 17th. I’ll confirm the restaurant and reservation time when I have the group size, and will contact everyone planning to attend by email with the information.

ADR Committee Public Service Project – Kits for Kidz
The ADR Committee is the lead sponsor of a school supply drive to support Chicago area Daniel Webster Elementary School, which has expected enrollment this coming school year of about 450 students. The low income rate for these students is 100% (as defined by federal criteria for free school lunches), and poverty level is 62.5%. The ADR Committee, with the co-sponsorship of TIPS’ Law in Public Service Committee and many TIPS General Committees, has teamed up with an organization that helps to provide much needed school supplies to children in greater Chicago schools. For $18.00, a contributor can purchase a back pack filled with enough school supplies to last a child through the year. Our goal is to provide every student in the Daniel Webster Elementary School with his or her own back pack of school supplies. We have contributions to date for 79 students. We need your help to supply all of the 450 students expected to enroll this coming school year! Contributing is simple. Just visit click http://store.kitsforkidz.org/section.php?xSec=55 or visit the website www.kitsforkidz.org and then choose American Bar Association from the Organization drop-down list. From there, all you will need to do is click on the back pack and elementary school supply options and follow the credit card payment instructions. Please help us reach our goal! We will deliver the back packs to the school during the Annual Meeting – in time for the new school year. Many thanks to Vice Chair Chris Shurland for coordinating the project.

The Psychology of Conflict Resolution Sub-Committee
The Psychology of Conflict Resolution Sub-Committee is off to a terrific start and has attracted a number of new members to the ADR Committee. The sub-committee is a place in TIPS and the ABA where members can discuss and share information about the human aspects of the resolution of civil litigation. The group has had a number of conference calls for discussions and is contemplating the possibility of holding a regional continuing legal education program some time next year. In the coming months, it will also have its own web page within the ADR Committee’s website. If you are interested in joining the sub-committee, please contact Elizabeth at elizabeth@elizabethbader.com. Thank you, Elizabeth, for everything you’ve done for the sub-committee.

Membership
During this year of revitalization, the ADR Committee has enjoyed welcoming many new members. Thank you! Please do not hesitate to contact any ADR Committee leader for comments, suggestions, feedback of any kind. And, please consider becoming involved by participating in program development, drafting an article, contributing in other ways. Thank you, Sandra, for your efforts as Membership Vice Chair. Also, if you are interested in serving as Membership Vice Chair, please contact Sandra, who’ll be serving as the Committee’s Chair-Elect next year.

Legislation
One of the roles a TIPS General Committee should play is the role of “look out” for new legislation that may impact the substantive area on which the committee focuses. The ADR Committee gathered in-put regarding the draft Uniform Collaborative Law Act, and informed TIPS Council that it endorses the Act. To read a copy of the draft Act, click here

ADR Committee Newsletter
The ADR Committee’s second newsletter for this bar year has just been published, which is a huge accomplishment after many years of “newsletter silence”! Many thanks to everyone who contributed time, articles, and ideas, especially Publications Vice Chair Jay Grenig. Remember: The Committee is always looking for content; therefore, if you would like to submit an article for publication, a practice tip, case note, or public service project description, please feel free to contact Jay at jgrenig@earthlink.net.

I have enjoyed my year as ADR Committee Chair and can’t say enough about the wonderful team of people who have contributed ideas, time, and passion to revitalizing the Committee. Thank you! Thank you! And, I hope to see everyone in Chicago.

Sue Farina
ADR Committee Chair 2008-2009
Sr. V.P. & General Counsel
Proveris Scientific Corporation
290 Donald Lynch Boulevard
Marlborough, MA 01752
sfarina@proverisscientific.com

Membership Information

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Leadership

Chair: Susan Farina

Chair - Elect: Steven Joseph

Last Retiring Chair: Norman C Bensley

More Leadership Information

Sub-Committee Information

The Psychology of Conflict Resolution Sub-Committee
provides TIPS ADR Committee members with a forum to discuss and share information about the human aspects of the resolution of civil litigation.

An ADR Committee member benefit!

Message From The Chair

Susan Farina

Programs, Meetings and Events

2009 Annual Meeting - Chicago
The Psychology of Negotiation
Date: Friday, July 31, 2009 (8:30a.m. - 10:00a.m.)

TeleCLE 2009
"The Psychology of Impasse: Helping Parties Move Through Issues of "Face" and Ego in Civil Dispute Resolution
Date: November 18, 2009
View the Flyer

Past Meetings Programs and Events