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Visit the ADR Section's updated online directory at selectadr.com!
ADR Section 2008-09 Grant Recipients
The ADR Section of the Minnesota State Bar Association is pleased to announce two recipients of the ADR Section's Grants for 2008-2009.
The Center for Negotiation and Justice at the William Mitchell College of Law received a grant to support a program that will develop and provide educational workshops regarding ADR and settlement strategies for pro se litigants in the Ramsey and Hennepin County District Courts. The program is designed to enhance pro se parties' understanding and utilization of ADR processes.
The Mediation Center for Dispute Resolution received a grant to support a program that will provide training for family law neutrals, particularly parenting time expediters and parenting consultants. The program is designed to provide these neutrals with professional education that would otherwise not be available to them, and to develop applicable standards for their work.
Both programs have the potential for making a broad impact by increasing access to quality ADR throughout Minnesota, and for producing exportable resources that others will be able to use in the future. We congratulate these two recipients, as well as a number of other worthy applicants, for their excellent work in promoting the future of ADR.
Section History
The Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section was founded on April 22, 1995, originally called the Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution (CoManDR) Section, when the Board of Governors of the Minnesota State Bar Association approved its bylaws.
This action was in response to the increasing use of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the State of Minnesota and particularly the recent mandate requiring consideration of ADR in civil matters. That mandate, codified in the General Rules of Practice for Minnesota Courts, Rule 114, has since been expanded to encompass family law matters.
In the bylaws, the stated purpose for the section is to (1) promote the work of the Minnesota State Bar Association (MSBA) in the field of Conflict Management and Dispute Resolution, and to (2) improve the practice, elevate the standards, and advance the cause of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the State of Minnesota.
Unlike other sections of the MSBA, membership in the section is not limited to MSBA members, but includes "any interested member of the public." Since the State of Minnesota does not require qualified neutrals to also be attorneys, this departure is significant in that it encourages all neutrals in the State of Minnesota to participate actively in the Section.
Mission Statement
To advance and promote the field of conflict management and dispute resolution, and to improve the practice, elevate the standards, and educate practitioners, the bench and the public regarding ADR in Minnesota.
Goals
Continue programming for monthly lunch meetings; establish relationships with other MSBA sections whose members use ADR services; maintain and promote a web directory of section members; participate actively in the ADR Institute; provide education to other members of the MSBA and the public regarding the benefits of using ADR; provide commentary and collaborate with other groups on legislative and ethical issues; publicize and educate regarding key developments and opportunities in ADR.
Looking Ahead to the Section's Future
Goals
The Section will continue to hold monthly meetings which address topics
of interest to ADR professionals and those interested in the field; monitor
proposed legislation and rules affecting ADR processes; maintain on-going
communications with the Joint Committee on the Model Standards of Conduct
for Mediators; work closely with the ADR Review Board in ensuring the
enforcement of ethical standards; provide commentary and input on proposed
uniform acts; participate in the planning and presentation of the Annual
ADR Institute; promote the use of ADR in federal courts; encourage collaboration
with other Sections of the state bar and other ADR organizations; and
encourage active participation by all individuals with an interest in
the use of alternative dispute resolution.
You can obtain more information about the Section, its activities, and the benefits of membership by contacting one of its members.
2008-09 Section Council:
- John Schulz - Chair
McGrann Shea Anderson Carnival Straughn & Lamb Chtd
(612) 338-2525
- Madge Thorsen - Secretary
Thorsen Kaplan LLP
(612) 767-3040 - David Lauth - Treasurer
Dorsey & Whitney LLP
(612) 340-2600
2008-09 Section Council Roster
MSBA Liaison:
Kayla Jurrens
(612) 278-6305
View Promulgation of Amendments to the MN General Rules of Practice
View Rule 114 01-01-2005 Amendments
View Rule 114 01-01-2005 Amendments redline version
View General
Rules of Practice Committee recommendations regarding Rule 114 and other
matters
View Commentary on the Revised Uniform Mediation Act
View the Report on the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act.
View the new Rule 114 Appendix: Code of Ethics for Neutrals.
- Last Updated 03/12/09 -