CLE Program

ADR Services, Inc. is proud to sponsor the 5th annual BAWLR event. Women lawyers from all practice areas, from both sides of the aisle, mediators, and judges will converge in Northern California for the weekend. This is a weekend retreat with plenty of opportunity to develop relationships, learn from amazing speakers (including Chief Justice Patricia Guerrero!), and enjoy some leisure time. We're still working on the schedule, but will share more as we lock in the details.

Don't miss this extraordinary opportunity to be a part of a community that champions and empowers women lawyers. Mark your calendars for March 1-3, 2024 and prepare to embark on a transformative weekend at BAWLR 2024. Together, let's rewrite the narrative and shape the future of the legal profession.

Mediating construction disputes typically involves multiple parties and a diverse set of issues. This presentation by Judge Paul Beeman from ADR Services and construction law specialist David Ginn Esq., will focus on key roadblocks to reaching resolution during the mediation process.

This session will focus on trip & fall claims involving public entities. Discussion will include tips for initial claim consideration, recognizing conditions, presentation of claims, and tips for the inevitable summary judgment motion. Hear from former Contra Costa County Superior Court Judge, and current ADR Services, Inc. Mediator, the Hon. Steven K. Austin, as well as practitioners from both the plaintiff and defense bar, regarding strategies and approaches.

Presenters Bette Epstein and Richard Collier have decades of experience both litigating and mediating inheritance disputes.  This program will address issues that arise for trust and estate counsel from the time the proposed client walks in the door through the administration of the estate.  Their discussion will include recognizing and managing conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties vs. attorneys duties, importance of asking the right questions, record maintenance, going to/keeping out of probate court.

Unlock the keys to successful mediation with in-house corporate counsel in this MCLE program. This webinar is designed to equip both outside and in-house counsel with the essential tools and strategies needed to navigate the unique challenges of mediating with corporate legal teams. Our speakers bring keen insights from their own time as general counsel to corporations small and large, including such corporations as Dreyer’s Ice Cream, Ross Stores, Inc. (Mark LeHocky, Esq.) and Ticketmaster (Ed Weiss, Esq.). We will also gain insight from the Bench from former LA Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Feffer. This session promises an enlightening exploration of the intricacies involved in collaborating seamlessly with in-house counsel, covering topics ranging from pre-mediation preparation to effective collaboration with General Counsel for information gathering. Additionally, the discussion will delve into overcoming impasses and steering clear of potential pitfalls, ultimately facilitating successful resolutions at the negotiation table. Join us for this complimentary MCLE program, and discover the essential elements for achieving successful mediation when working with and as in-house corporate counsel.

This program will explore ways to recognize implicit bias in ourselves and those around us. Our presenters will also discuss methods to implement bias reducing strategies in an effort to not only raise awareness, but also, to facilitate change in the legal profession.

A family law judge turned mediator and a civil litigator turned mediator discuss getting cases settled in mediation. Differences between family law mediation and civil litigation mediation in (i) when to mediate; (ii) finding your mediator; (iii) pre-mediation (iv) conducting the mediation; (v) what happens after the mediation; (vi) barriers to settlement; (vii) whether "fairness" is important; and (viii) much more!

Arm yourself with everything you need to know about mediator's proposals. This program is taught by mediator Patrick M. Kelly and will demystify this commonly used mediation practice. The program will cover:

• What is a mediator’s proposal
• How and when to effectively use a mediator’s proposal
• The legal authority and enforceability of mediator’s proposals
• The nuances to be considered when agreeing to a mediator’s proposal, including impact on your case and other parties
• The special challenges of mediator’s proposals in multi-party cases

Moderated by Jeffrey Kravitz and Robert M. Cohen, Co-Chairs, BHBA's Mediation Section.

The case is in arbitration. Now what? This panel will walk employment law practitioners through what to expect when handling a single-plaintiff arbitration matter, from pre-demand tactics, discovery challenges, the hearing itself, and enforcement of any award. Our panelists will de-mystify the issues and provide practical information to empower attorneys.

Presenters Bette Epstein and Richard Collier have decades of experience both litigating and mediating trust and estate disputes. This program will address issues that arise for trust and estate counsel from the time the proposed client walks in the door through the completion of the administration of the estate. Among other things, Ms. Epstein and Mr. Collier will discuss managing conflicts of interest, fiduciary duties vs. attorney’s duties, the importance of asking the right questions, and maintaining records.

We have an exceptional lineup of panel discussions, expertly crafted to enhance your knowledge and skills. Here's a sneak peek at the dynamic panels we have in store for you:

- Innovative Business Planning for Your Dispute Resolution Practice
- Legal Foundations and Operational Excellence in Your Dispute Resolution Practice
- Marketing 101: Effective Strategies for Your Dispute Resolution Practice
- Building Your ADR Practice: Insights from ADR Professionals

Rounding out our exciting lineup, I am thrilled to be moderating the panel "Leaders of ADR Providers: Wisdom from the Frontlines of Dispute Resolution."
We have invited distinguished leaders from prominent ADR providers to this panel, including:

- Joanna Barron, ADR Services, Inc.
- Bridget Mary McCormack, American Arbitration Association
- Parag Shah, Esq., MBA, Miles Mediation & Arbitration and
- Kimberly Taylor, JAMS

Their extensive experience and perspectives promise to make this an enlightening and invaluable program. Join us!

New Family Code section 6309 ends a longstanding controversy (yes, civil discovery is permitted in DVPA proceedings) but we now confront a host of new controversies generated by the statute. Some practitioners see section 6309 as a long overdue clarification and expansion of DVRO discovery rights; others see it as a welcome, or unwelcome, significant contraction.  Some see it as a risk of revictimization via discovery abuse while others see it protecting against that risk. Who's right? Probably everyone to some degree. This much for sure: the statute's unique provision, permitting discovery to be requested only at the evidentiary hearing and not before, is something totally new to practitioners. How will judges interpret the statute? How does it apply to "cross-over" situations where a DV petition is filed in an extant disso or parenting case? What are best practices?  What are the collateral effects under FC sections 3044 and 4320? Join our expert panel, including LA Superior Court judges Lawrence Riff and Susan Lopez-Giss (ret'd),  and practitioner Michael Hanasab, who will cover the basics of section 6300, practitioners'' and judicial officers' challenges and dilemmas, and possible best practices. This program will be focused towards family law practitioners.