Last year, a few ADR staff from courts around the US approached RSI to help with a need that was no longer being met elsewhere. Court ADR administrators needed a safe space to be honest and open when discussing the challenges they face as ADR administrators. Other options couldn’t provide a closed, confidential opportunity to learn and exchange ideas. The ADR staff asked RSI to provide that safe space for them. We agreed — who else would be better suited to take on the role of convening a network of court ADR administrators than RSI?
So, in November 2025, the Court ADR Network was launched. With dozens of members signed up, we held our first meeting to figure out what members wanted from the network. We decided to have RSI host quarterly meetings at which an expert — who could be a member — would present on a topic of interest, followed by a group discussion of that topic, or anything else. We also voted on the topics that would be the focus of each of the next three meetings.
The network is open to both state and federal court administrators, from trial to appellate level, and from single courts to statewide offices. It is also open to allied staff, such as in-house researchers and staff mediators. If you fit those categories and would like to join the Court ADR Network, please reach out to jshack@aboutrsi.org.
Our next meeting in February focused on how to work with self-represented litigants, from referral through mediation. I presented on the needs of self-represented litigants, including the importance of effective communication and issues presented by power imbalances when one side has an attorney and the other does not. That was followed by a lively discussion of the role of technology and AI as avenues for access to justice.
The topic of our third meeting, held this month, was mediator recruitment and retention. Josh Pando, the New Mexico Statewide ADR Senior Program Manager, talked about his successful recruitment and retention strategies. Discussion ranged from where to find new recruits, to ways programs engage and educate mediators, to what programs require of volunteer mediators. In August, we will be talking about the use of technology and AI.
The meetings have also provided members with an opportunity to get to network and learn about what different programs are doing. In emails, members have expressed their appreciation for the network, including a new member who recently wrote, “I absolutely loved yesterday’s meeting.” In addition to the meetings, RSI periodically lets members know about resources and learning opportunities.
The network is open to both state and federal court administrators, from trial to appellate level, and from single courts to statewide offices. It is also open to allied staff, such as in-house researchers and staff mediators. If you fit those categories and would like to join the Court ADR Network, please reach out to me at jshack@aboutrsi.org.
