Alternative Dispute Resolution.

AuthorMagee, Christina
PositionAnnual Reports of Sections and Divisions of the Florida Bar: 2018-2019

The Alternative Dispute Resolution Section (ADR) of The Florida Bar is at an exciting point in its brief history. Following its inception in 2010, the section worked hard to establish itself as a resource for all members of The Florida Bar (TFB) and to fulfill its mission of providing information and training to both advocates and neutrals on "best practices" for utilizing all forms of dispute resolution that are recognized in the Florida Statutes. Standing on the shoulders of those who have chaired this section before me, I can confidently report the section has made great strides in earning recognition from TFB and the other sections and rule committees of TFB as the go-to source for all information related to ADR.

Here is an abbreviated list of just some of the items the section is currently involved in or has recently participated in:

* A training program in conjunction with ACAP's attorney grievance program to formalize training for arbitration and mediation in the attorney grievance process. This training was recorded during its live presentation at The Florida Bar midyear meeting in January to use for future trainings.

* A searchable database of the Mediator Ethics Advisory Committee's opinions. Many mediators and lawyers have expressed a desire to be able to search these opinions, which are provided by the Dispute Resolution Center of the Florida Supreme Court. Keywords and concepts have been used by DRC to find and digest these opinions. Until now, there has not been a way to do a term search or have complete confidence that all opinions relating to a specified rule or statute have been identified when the database digests have been reviewed. In conjunction with The Florida Bar, the ADR Section has worked with Fastcase, and the MEAC opinions exist as a searchable database using Fastcase's existing algorithms.

* A Mentoring Academy scheduled to occur in October that provides mentoring for how to transition to a dispute resolution practice from a direct representation practice or what is needed to maintain both, as well as a practicum of advanced mediation techniques and skills for mediators who have some experience mediating or arbitrating cases.

* A new publication being offered on a semi-annual basis, The Common Ground, in addition to our monthly email newsletters and continuous social media communications.

* Continued growth in new committees: Health & Wellness/Diversity and a newly organized Communications Committee (which now...

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