Featured Blogs Section
Featured Blog Posts
Negotiation will not Fix Sexism
Let’s start with the obvious–it pains me to realize that negotiation can’t fix everything.
Conflict Management Lessons from Improv Theater
Can the rules of improv theater help us with conflict?
Remembering Mediator Irvin P. Foster
Irvin P. Foster, who mentored and inspired many mediators, died on September 5th. ISCT Coordinator, Janet Mueller, shares the following remembrance of him.
“When Patterns are Broken, New Worlds Emerge”
The relevance of this quote by Tuli Kupferberg to interpersonal conflict may not be immediately evident.
Court Ordered Mediation and Informed Consent
Standard I of the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators is entitled "Self-Determination" and admonishes us that "a mediator shall conduct a mediation on the principle of party self-determination."
How Much Money Does Mediation Save Companies?
By turning their faces from the legal system, many companies have saved fortunes in the money and time that legal proceedings require.
Health Systems and the Benefits of Early Dispute Resolution
Recognizing Common Internal Issues That Often Escalate Into Disputes and How ADR Can Help.
Working with Financial Neutrals
One of the hardest problems that a divorcing couple may face is how to divide up marital property.
Managing and Resolving Conflicts in Remote Teams
Handling remote teams can become quite a challenging task at times, especially when a conflict arises.
What Commercial Trial Lawyers Can Learn from Transactional Lawyers About Mediation
Why should we be surprised by litigators acting like litigators whether in court or in mediation?
Do You Love Yourself Enough So No One Dares to Hurt You?
This article is a mantra for those who are navigating difficult conflicts.
What Would *You* Have Done?
What would you have done, if you were a violence prevention specialists?
Recognizing Common Internal Issues That Often Escalate Into Disputes and How ADR Can Help
Here are a few examples of the tensions that arise across financial, operational, and commercial agreements.
Difficult People
One of the first questions a mediator must ask herself is whether she should take a specific case?
What are the Qualities of a Good Mediator? - video
Have you ever asked yourself, what are the qualities of a good mediator?
ERRR On the Human Side of Mediation Encompassing Empowerment, Recognition, Reflection and Respect
This article is an open invitation to the Opposing Party.
What I'm Reading
Being retired from teaching and faculty meetings leaves time to do other things. Here are the books I've been enjoying.
Bellwether Mediations As An Alternative To Bellwether Trials
Conceptually, the goal of bellwether mediations is the same as that of its counterpart (a trial): to develop an objective way to value a disparate set of cases to facilitate settlement.
“My Story” Featuring Cristina Pereyra-Alvarez, Retired Judge, 11th Judicial Circuit, Florida
When asked what advice she has for the next generation of ADR professionals, Mrs. Pereyra-Alvarez says, "Always go in with an open mind. Always believe that you are going to resolve the case, no matter what." This is a biography of her career path.
The New Plan for the Academy of Court-Appointed Masters
Helping People Become Special Masters and Special Masters Assist the Administration of Justice: The New Plan for the Academy of Court-Appointed Masters.
Bring Five Percent more Compassion to Conflicts
Bringing five percent more compassion can really make a difference in conflicts.
The Mediator as a Choice Architect
One of the most important aspects of mediation is self-determination. Standard 1 of the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediation is entitled “Self-Determination.”
Divorce Done Differently!
As soon as you begin to contemplate divorce, the nauseating, panic-attack-inducing realization of losing half of your net worth kicks in and you find yourself wondering if it’s even worth it to consider leaving if you’re just going to end up broke and starving. Mediation may not even be an option in your mind, but it should be.
"Never Ruin an Apology with an Excuse"
This quote by Kimberly Johnson is a good one to consider when it comes to asking forgiveness, giving an apology, and otherwise trying to make amends.
Ronald Melin Supancic - A Memorial
Each breath we breathe is an invitation to live more fully, more consciously, more attentive, and more aware.
Q&A with Hon. Irma E. Gonzalez (Ret.)
Judge Irma Gonzalez has spent the last eight years at JAMS as a mediator, arbitrator, special master/referee and neutral evaluator. In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, we spoke with Judge Gonzalez about how she started in ADR, her accomplishments, the challenges that she’s faced and her advice to younger generations.
Eight Tips for Mediating High-Profile Construction Disputes
Large-scale global construction disputes often present a complicated mix of factors, such as publicity-associated risks, government oversight, huge project size, a large number of implicated parties and momentous damage issues.
Preparing and Paying for QDROs in Divorce
The responsibilities of a plan administrator include reviewing QDROs or DROs and then distributing the funds to the non-plan participant spouse once they have approved the order--which become difficult in a separation.
Conflict in the Workplace – Mediation Can Make Your Team More Efficient
Conflict in the workplace is inevitable when people with different values and opinions come together.
Don’t Chalk My Tires, Or Why Mediation is Not Appropriate
This discussion exemplifies one of those very few circumstances in which mediation may not be appropriate because a public policy is at stake.
High-Tech Dispute Resolution
In this scholarly work, the authors examine the intersection of online dispute resolution and psychology.
Tips for Addressing Childhood Conflict
These are steps for teaching your children to reduce childhood conflict.
Yes and No are Powerful Words
Yes and No are powerful words. What impact does saying each of them have on your body and nervous system?
Mental Health First Aid Training May Make Our Community Happier and Healthier!
“Many people with mental illness are reluctant to seek help or know where to turn for care, while their friends and family members may struggle to know when and how to help,” said Dr. Rotenberg.