Message from the Committee Chair

It is my pleasure to introduce the March 2025 edition of the Just Resolutions newsletter, on behalf of the Women in Dispute Resolution (WIDR) Committee. As Chair of the American Bar Association Women in Dispute Resolution Section, I am proud to share our theme for this year: We Are Everything We Need. This theme reflects the collective strength and resilience of women in dispute resolution. Together, we elevate, educate, support, and empower one another. We are more than enough. We are everything we need.

Serving in this capacity and having the opportunity to elevate women in dispute resolution has been both an honor and a privilege. Throughout this year, we have hosted monthly practice-building lunches designed specifically for our members. These events have covered a variety of important topics, including the effective use of artificial intelligence with a focus on ethical considerations, breast cancer awareness with an emphasis on dense breast detection legislation and advocacy, strategies for getting published, and navigating challenges in dispute resolution post-election.

Looking ahead to March, we will highlight opportunities for women in mass arbitration, and we are excited to connect and network with our members at the 2025 ABA Dispute Resolution Section conference in Chicago.

I am particularly excited to share that this month’s Just Resolutions newsletter features four submissions from six WIDR members. We are proud to celebrate these contributors and the valuable impact their voices will have in educating and equipping our dispute resolution community. A heartfelt thank you to Ana Cristina Maldonado, Alicia Perez, Rebekah Taylor, Arnettia Wyre, Elizabeth Hill, and myself for thoughtful and impactful submissions.

Arnettia S. Wyre, Esq., MBA, in "Rise, Resolve, Repeat: Leading with Strength and Purpose," explores how dispute resolution professionals can build resilience, advocate for systemic equity, and create lasting impact through collective action.

Rebekah Taylor, Alicia Perez, and Ana Cristina Maldonado collaborated on, "Walking the Bridge: Reflections from the Civil Rights Retreat and the Mediator’s Role in Justice," which offers a powerful reflection on how history informs the work of neutrals in advancing justice and reconciliation.

In "We Are All We Need: Women Driving Innovation in the Ombuds Profession," ADR Section Chair-Elect Elizabeth Schwartz Hill highlights the leadership of women shaping the ombuds field, demonstrating the power of creating inclusive and transformative dialogue spaces.

And finally, I wrote the piece on "Eat the Artichoke Dip" which I hope is an inspiring call to action, reminding us to make choices that align with our values and bring us joy—both professionally and personally.

A huge thank you to WIDR editor Lisa Timmons for coordinating editing efforts for all submissions and Dispute Resolution Section leadership Maria Bartolo for her efforts in finalizing publication.

Lisa Simpson Hoover, Chair, WIDR Committee