Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

About Straus

The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University School of Law is one of the world's leading educational programs in the field of dispute resolution. Straus offers two tracks of training; professional training programs and academic programs in dispute resolution including the Certificate, Master's (M.D.R.) and LL.M. in Dispute Resolution.

Repeatedly recognized as the foremost academic center of its kind, the Institute brings together an unparalleled full-time teaching and research faculty with scholars and practitioners from throughout the U.S., Canada, Latin America, Asia and Europe. Its broad and deep curricular offerings serve emerging lawyers as well as experienced mid-career professionals, business persons, and religious and community leaders. In the over twenty one years since its founding, the Straus Institute has established itself as a standard of excellence in preparing effective negotiators, peacemakers and problem solvers and a driving force for improving the culture of conflict in America.

The Straus Institute stands as the pillar in conflict resolution research with the acquisition of the world's leading library from the American Arbitration Association. Consisting of over 24,000 titles, the AAA library includes titles on subjects ranging from international arbitration to consumer disputes and health law to the history and growth of public and private dispute resolution practices in the U.S. and abroad.

The Straus Institute at Pepperdine has been ranked as the #1 law school dispute resolution program in the nation by U.S. News and World Report: Guide to Graduate Schools. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, the American College of Civil Trial Mediators, the International Academy of Mediators, the Southern California Mediation Association and the Los Angeles County Bar Association have also recognized Straus for excellence in dispute resolution educational programs for practicing professionals.