Just Court ADR

Our series My Favorite Resource, features interviews with ADR friends across the country to learn about their favorite resources. This month, I spoke with Howard Herman, Director of the ADR Program for the U.S. District Court, Northern District of California, to learn about his favorite ADR resource.

NW: What is one of your favorite ADR resources?

HH: One of my favorite resources is the book Bringing Peace Into the Room, edited by Daniel Bowling and David Hoffman.

NW: Why do you value this particular resource?

HH:  The book is particularly valuable because it consists of a series of short, approachable essays concerning the qualities that make a truly effective mediator. The book links theory to practice in a direct, easily understandable way. Rather than prescriptions about what all mediators should do, the book provides a set of examples of practitioners authentically developing their own approaches grounded in their awareness of personal strengths and weaknesses. I was particularly moved by the essay “Tears” by David Hoffman, which helped me change my approach to the emotions I feel when I’m mediating.

NW: How did you first learn about this resource?

HH:  I first became aware of this book right when it came out – back in 2003 – but it remains every bit as relevant today.

NW: For those unfamiliar with this resource, what is one part of this resource that you wouldn’t want someone to miss?

HH: A particular feature, not to be missed, is the inclusion of stimulating and challenging reflective practice questions at the conclusion of each essay. For the past 15+ years, I’ve led reflective practice groups for the mediators on the panel of the Northern District of California. The questions raised by Bringing Peace Into the Room continue to guide many of the discussions we have each month as mediators examine their cases in an effort to improve their practices.

It’s hard to believe that another year of My Favorite Resource has gone by! Much like last year, I have had such a wonderful time connecting with ADR friends across the country to learn about a wide variety of helpful and informative resources. In the spirit of sharing and reminiscing, I thought what better way to get the season started than by revisiting with all the My Favorite Resource readers all the wonderful resources from this year! Sit back, grab a cup of cocoa, and let’s begin!

• In January,Sally Campbell, the Dispute Resolution Services Manager for the Supreme Court of Virginia, who shared about Appellate Mediation: A Guidebook for Attorneys and Mediators.
• In February, Tom Valenti, dispute resolution professional and founder of Valenti Law, shared that his favorite resource is the Kluwer Mediation Blog.
• In March, Tracy Johnson, the Executive Director at the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, shared that one of her favorite resources is the network of colleagues she has developed through the Georgia Council of Court Administrators.
• In April, Robyn Weinstein, ADR Administrator at the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of New York, shared her love of the New York City Dispute Resolution Listserv.
• In May, Christine Poulson, Executive Director at Resolution Virginia, shared that her favorite resource is the National Association for Community Mediation’s (NAFCM) email listserv.
• In June, Sharon Sturges, Director of the Colorado Judicial branch Office of Dispute Resolution, shared about the National Center for State Courts website and publications.
• In July, D.G. Mawn, NAFCM, shared his love of NAFCM’s On Demand webinars.
• In September, James Alfini, RSI Board Member and Dean Emeritus and Professor of Law at South Texas College of Law, shared that his favorite resource is the Center for Judicial Ethics at the National Center for State Courts.
• In October, Alyson Carrel, RSI Board Member and Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Center on Negotiation and Mediation, shared that her favorite ADR resource is the Dispute Resolution Resources for Legal Educators section of the University of Missouri Law School’s Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution website.
• In November, Cassie Lively, Executive Director at the Center for Conflict Resolution, shared about NAFCM’s Virtual Library.

Last, but not least, I thought I would share my favorite resource to cap of the year. One of my favorite ADR resources from this year has been The Little Book of Restorative Justice by Howard Zehr. I have been passionate about restorative justice for a few years and I first came across this resource shortly before I completed circle training this year. I value this resource because I think it is a tremendous guide for anyone interested in restorative justice that provides a nice overview of the principles and goals of restorative practice. As a somewhat novice to this subject when I picked up this resource, I felt that Zehr’s book deepened my understanding of the basics and theory behind restorative justice. For those unfamiliar with this resource, I would recommend reviewing Zehr’s definition of restorative justice (pg. 37), as well as his list of what restorative justice is not (pgs. 8-13).

Thank you again to each of the participants in this year’s series! To the readers of My Favorite Resource, I hope this year’s haul of resources leads you to discover your new favorite resource!

If you are interested in sharing a resource in 2020, please contact me at nwilmet@aboutrsi.org.

Our series My Favorite Resource, features interviews with ADR friends across the country to learn about their favorite resources. This month, I spoke with Cassie Lively, Executive Director at the Center for Conflict Resolution, to learn about her favorite ADR resource.

NW: What is one of your favorite ADR resources?

CL:  My favorite resource is the Virtual Library offered by the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM).

NW: Why do you value this particular resource?

CL:  NAFCM provides a range of resources for community mediation centers, and the virtual library is one that I reference all the time. There are great tools for new community mediation centers that are developing their governance structure and policies. For more established centers like the Center for Conflict Resolution, there are program-specific resources, training tools, and ideas for expansion and best practices. NAFCM is always looking for new additions to the resource center, so if you have simulations, evaluations, best practices, case studies, or anything else to share, please e-mail admin@nafcm.org. 

NW: How did you first learn about this resource?

CL:  CCR has been a NAFCM member center for many years. When I was first training as a case manager at CCR, I used NAFCM tools as I was learning more about community mediation, and have always been grateful for their resources over the years as CCR has expanded our mediation programs. This year, I am fortunate to be serving as co-chair of NAFCM’s Board.

NW: For those unfamiliar with this resource, what is one part of this resource you wouldn’t want someone to miss?

CL: Toolkits from NAFCM’s grant program, funded by the JAMS Foundation, are a highlight of the Virtual Library. Toolkits cover topics including branding for community mediation centers, legislative advocacy, building mediation programs to work with veterans, program sustainability, and working in partnership with law enforcement. The newest resource, on working with older adult populations, just became available. The great thing about the resources that are built through this program is how timely they are – each year, a group of community mediation centers works on a project that is very relevant for the field and for the clients we serve.

Our series My Favorite Resource, features interviews with ADR friends across the country to learn about their favorite resources. This month, I spoke with Alyson Carrel, RSI Board Member and Clinical Associate Professor and Assistant Director of Northwestern Pritzker School of Law’s Center on Negotiation and Mediation, to learn about her favorite ADR resource.

NW: What is one of your favorite ADR resources?

AC: One of my favorite ADR resources is the Dispute Resolution Resources for Legal Educators section of the University of Missouri Law School’s Center for the Study of Dispute Resolution website.

NW: Why do you value this particular resource?

AC:  This resource is a one-stop-shop with almost everything a person might need when they take on the daunting task of teaching or teaching a new class for the first time. While some textbooks include a teacher’s manual with a sample syllabus and a set of exercises, not all textbooks do. And even those that do present a single perspective on how best to teach a subject. But this website provides sample syllabi from multiple legal educators across the country (and the world) for multiple courses (including unique iterations of those courses). For instance, there are at least 30 mediation syllabi posted on the website, and another 30 syllabi for more unusual or specialized courses such as “Mediation and Collaborative Lawyering: Consensual Dispute Resolution” or “Introduction to Dispute Resolution in Healthcare.”

NW: How did you first learn about this resource?

AC: This resource is regularly referenced on its corresponding listserv, Dispute Resolution for Legal Educators listserv (DRLE), yet another fantastic resource available through Missouri’s website. The listserv is a place for individuals teaching a Dispute Resolution course in the legal education context to ask questions, provide answers, and share new information and tidbits. (Those interested in applying to the listserv can email listserv@po.missouri.edu and in the body of the email write: subscribe DRLE.)

NW: For those unfamiliar with this resource, what is one part of this resource you wouldn’t want someone to miss?

AC: I would absolutely make sure to check out the Teaching Materials section of the website. I previously described the extensive set of simulations and exercises posted on the site, but you will also find links to other teaching resources compiled by the ABA, Suffolk University and more. Instead of having to remember all the different resources out there, Missouri has gathered them all in one place: Dwight Golann’s “class in a box” provides a folder with simulations, teaching notes and corresponding videos; the ABA has a list of exercises for “lawyer as problem-solver”; and Mitchell-Hamline’s video re-enactments of legal cases involving mediation ethics.

I often receive emails from individuals teaching for the first time, asking me for advice and guidance. The first thing I do is send them to this site. It is simply the best and most comprehensive site for ADR teaching resources.