Over the last few decades the field of alternative dispute resolution has grown tremendously.  The recognition that not all cases are well suited for the adversarial process and that there are multiple paths to justice is increasingly shared by attorneys, judges, and the public.  The ABA Mediation Week initiative is a celebration of the strides we have made in institutionalizing mediation as one of several appropriate dispute resolution processes.  ABA Mediation Week will be held during the week of October 13-19, 2013 this year. 


The theme for our 2013 ABA Mediation Week was “Making a World of Difference.” Lawyers and mediators around the world are increasingly using alternative means to settle disputes.  In their use of mediation, practitioners are bridging differences in positions, perspectives, and people.


We have put together a Toolkit of resources to help organizations and individuals help promote mediation and Mediation Week.


In an effort to facilitate the initiation of ABA Mediation Week programs by law schools, ADR organizations, Courts and state and local bar associations, the Section of Dispute Resolution has limited funds available this year to provide financial assistance to organizations sponsoring ABA Mediation Week activities on a first-come, first-served, as-needed grant basis for those organizations meeting the criteria for assistance.  The registration form also includes the application for assistance.  We ask you to complete the registration form by no later than September 9, 2013.  Applications received after that date may receive funding that may be remaining on a reduced rate.  We are excited about collaborating with you this year on this important initiative.

If you are interested in sponsoring an activity this year, please complete the registration form HERE which sets forth information about your organization and your contemplated activity. 


For more information contact Matthew Conger at the American bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution: matthew.conger@americanbar.org

Click here for the MEDIATION WEEK TOOLKIT

Mediation Week Press Center

Check Here for News and Updates

2013 Mediation Week Signature Event

Check Back for information on the Signature Event being held October 17, 2013



2013 Mediation Week Events in Your Area

Organizations and Institutions from around the world will organize events to be held in recognition of ABA Mediation Week.  See below for a list of last year's events.

Last Years Events:

2012 Mediation Week Events

Colorado Bar Association - Alternative Dispute Resolution Section
Colorado
Month of October


VBA-VSB Joint Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee and the University of Richmond Law School ADR Society
Richmond, Virginia
October 19 from 12:00 -2:00

Dispute Resolution Center of Montgomery County
Conroe, Texas, Various Locations
October 11-25

Ohio State University Moritz College of Law Program on Dispute Resolution
Columbus, Ohio
October 25 from 4:00 - 6:00 pm

Wyoming Agriculture & Natural Resources Mediation Program
Wyoming Video Conference
October 18 from 8:00 am - 4:00 pm

Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law
Baltimore, Maryland
October 18 from 3:15 - 5:15 pm

Center for Study of Dispute Resolution/MU School of Law
Columbia, Missouri
October 19 from 3:00 – 7:00

Tennessee Center for Workforce Relations
Nashville, Tennessee
October 16 from 9:00 am – 4:30 pm

The Hugh L. Carey Center for Dispute Resolution / Dispute Resolution Society,  St. John's University School of Law
New York, New York
October 13 – October 14 from 9:00 am – 6:00 pm

Community Mediation Services, Inc.
New Hope, Minnesota
October 16 from 3:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Suffolk University Law School
Boston, Massachusetts
October 17 from 4:00 pm – 6:00 pm

Center for Dispute Resolution at Capital University Law School
Columbus, Ohio
October 15 - October 19 from 8:30 am – 5:00 pm

Werner Institute at Creighton University School of Law
Omaha, Nebraska
October 17 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

University of Houston Law Center, Center for Children, Law & Policy
Houston, Texas
October 18 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Community Dispute Settlement Center, Inc.
Cambridge, Massachusetts
October 18 from 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm

Vanderbilt Alternative Dispute Resolution Organization
Nashville, Tennessee
October 15 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm

Western Carolina University, Mountain Mediation Services, and NC Agricultural Mediation Program
Cullowhee, North Carolina
October 9 from 1:00 pm - 2:30 pm

Western Carolina University, Mountain Mediation Services, and NC Agricultural Mediation Program
Cullowhee, North Carolina
October 12 from 5:00 pm – 6:30 pm

John Marshall Law School Trial Advocacy & Dispute Resolution Honors Council
Chicago, Illinois
October 15 from 12:00 pm – 2:00 pm


Dispute Resolution Society—Pace Law School
White Plains, New York
October 18 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Salisbury University
Salisbury, Maryland
October 16 - October 18 from 9:30 am - 3:15 pm

Birmingham Bar Association A.D.R. Section
Birmingham, Alabama
October 11      11-Oct and 18-Oct      9 am - 12 pm 

University of Montana Law School Mediation Clinic

Missoula, Montana

October 17 from 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm


South Texas College of Law: Alternative Dispute Resolution

Houston, TX
October 18, 2012 from 10:00 am - 5:30 pm

International Mediation Week Events


Menno Simons College at the University of Winnipeg
Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
October 19

Hi-Performance - Club Mondiale Della Formazione
Rome, Italy
October 12 from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm

Chamber of Commerce of Viterbo & Concilia LLC
Viterbo, Italy
October 15-16 from 9:00 am - 7:00 pm

ADR Association of Barbados Inc.

Worthing, Christ Church, Barbados

October 14-20, 2012


The Dispute Resolution Foundation (DRF)
Jamaica
October 16 and 19, 2012

Agency for Dispute Resolution
Beverly Hills, California—Online - ADR Times
October 10 – October 19

Washington Mediation Association
Olympia, Washington
October 18 from 11:00 am - 1:30 pm


Charlotte School of Law
Charlotte, North Carolina
October 17 from 10:30 am – 1:00 pm

Lipcomb University Institute for Conflict Management
Nashville Tennessee
October 18 from 11:30 am – 1:00 pm


Association for Conflict Resolution
Chicago, Illinois
October 18 from 5:30 pm - 7:00 pm

Center for Conflict Resolution
Chicago, Illinois
October 16 from 8:30am – 11:00 am

Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, Pepperdine University
Malibu, California
October 18 from 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

American Bar Association Public Contract Law Section Alternative
Washington, DC
October 18 from 12:00 pm - 1:30 pm


JAMS is holding a number of great events in conjunction with ABA Mediation Week


JAMS
JAMS Orange - 500 N. State College Blvd. Suite 1400 Orange  CA  92868
October 17 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm


JAMS
JAMS Chicago - 71 S. Wacker Dr. Suite 3090 Chicago IL 60606
October 18 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

JAMS
JAMS Santa Rosa -50 Old Courthouse Square Suite 600 Santa Rosa CA 95404
October 15 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm

JAMS
Royse Law Firm, 1717 Embarcadero Road, Palo Alto, CA  94303
October 17 from 5:00 pm – 7:30 pm 

JAMS
2 Embarcadero,Center Suite 1500 San Francisco, CA
October 18 from 5:00 pm - 7:30 pm

JAMS
90 South E Street, Suite 200,Santa Rosa CA 95402
October 15 from 12:00 pm – 1:00 pm


JAMS
JAMS LA - 707 Wilshire Blvd., 46th Floor, Los Angeles, CA 90017
October 18 from 7:30 am - 10:00 am

JAMS
JAMS Atlanta - 1201 W. Peachtree, NW, Suite 2650 Atlanta GA 30309
October 15 from 8:00 am - 9:30 am

JAMS
JAMS Atlanta - 1201 W. Peachtree, NW, Suite 2650 Atlanta GA 30309
October 17 from 8:00 am - 9:30 am


JAMS
JAMS Miami - 600 Brickell Ave, Suite 2600 Miami FL 33131
October 16 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

JAMS
620 8th Ave, 34th Floor New York NY 10018
October 17 from 6:00 pm – 8:00 pm

JAMS
Alameda County Bar 70 Washington St., Suite 200 Oakland CA 94607
October 17 from 8:30 am - 10:30 am

Federal Interagency ADR Working Group Activities

Washington, DC

October 15 – 19, 2012

Free Webinar or Teleconference Programs: 

  • Dispute Resolution’s Impact on the FOIA Framework, Miriam Nisbet, Director, Office of Government Information Services, National Archives and Records Administration – October 16, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon

  • Why Good People Get Into Bad Disputes: 21st Century Challenges, Geoff Drucker, Manager, Dispute Resolution Services, American Health Lawyers Association – October 16, 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m.

  • 21st Century Innovation in ADR Services: Training, Target Skills, and Innovations in Practice, LoValerie Mullins, Mediator-ADR, National Mediation Board – October 17, 1:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.

  • Practical ADR Confidentiality for Internal Neutrals and ADR Participants, David Batson, Senior ADR Specialist/Counsel; Anna Abbey, Conflict Prevention and Resolution Center, Environmental Protection Agency – October 18, 10:30 a.m.-12:00 noon

  • The Judge/Mediator Dilemma, Judge Richard Walters, Civilian Board of Contract Appeals;  Judge Marian Horn, U.S. Court of Federal Claims;  Judge Sharon Larkin, Government Accountability Office Contract Appeals Board;  Chairman Paul Williams (or his designee), Armed Services Board of Contract Appeals; Administrative Judge John Dietrich, FAA Office of Dispute Resolution for Acquisition. Presented at Arnold & Porter LLC, Rm 300, (dial-in option) – October 18, 12:00 noon-1:30 p.m. [Co-Sponsors: IADRWG Procurement Section, ABA Public Contract Law Section - ADR Committee, ABA National Conference of the Administrative Law Judiciary – ADR Committee]

  • Mediation of Intellectual Property Disputes, Sally Bromley, Case Manager, U.S. International Trade Commission – October 18, 1:00 p.m.- 2:00 p.m.

For Further Information:  Please check adr.gov after October 8 for more detailed information on the presentations and how to access them.  Prior to October 8: Cynthia S. Mazur, Director for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Federal Emergency Management Agency,    cindy.mazur@dhs.gov