Frank E.A. Sander Award

Named for  long-time Harvard Law School professor Frank Sander, the Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in ADR Award was established to recognize innovative methods and extraordinary achievements in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.  It is a joint initiative of the ABA Center for Innovation and the ABA Section for Dispute Resolution.  The award will be presented at a ceremony at the Section of Dispute Resolution’s Annual Spring Conference. 

Nominations for the 2025 Award are now closed.

Award Criteria

Any organization or individual in the United States or Canada may apply or be nominated for having:

1) Developed a project, program, or approach that has improved access to justice through an innovative use of alternative dispute resolution; or

2) Demonstrated dedication to creating a sustainable, replicable and innovative solution that the public and others can use to efficiently and effectively resolve disputes outside of traditional court proceedings.

Application

• Nomination form

2024 Frank E.A. Sander Award Winners

Paul Lurie

Mediators Beyond Borders International 

The ABA Center for Innovation, in conjunction with the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, is excited to celebrate Mediators Beyond Borders International and Paul M. Lurie, the 2024 recipients of the Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in ADR Award.

Paul Lurie stands as an industry pioneer and creator of the premier educational resource Mediate and Arbitrate Listserv. 

Mediators Beyond Borders International is a humanitarian organization established to partner with communities worldwide to build their conflict resolution capacity for preventing, resolving and healing from conflict.

Previous Award Winners

Previous winners can be viewed here