Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution

ADR Programs in the public sector

Faculty:  Toby Treem Guerin and Howard Gadlin

Federal, state, and other public-sector institutions offer a wide variety of ADR processes to address both internal and external disputes. This interactive course is designed for program coordinators, in-house state and federal government ADR practitioners, and persons considering the development of an ADR program.   Participants will explore the unique issues facing public-sector ADR providers such as confidentiality and federal and state legislation, and will learn from existing and ongoing research in the field. Through case studies and participant experiences, the course will explore the common challenges and pitfalls of programs, as well as successes. A portion of the course will examine the evolution of ADR programs and movement toward integrated conflict management systems. Specific topics such as quality assurance, program evaluation, conflict assessment, and program management will serve as foundational components to the course.

What you will learn:

• Culture of internal conflict in the public sector
• Hallmarks of a successful ADR program
• Managing a roster of neutrals
• Ensuring the provision of quality services
• Evolution of ADR programs in the public sector
• Scope and limitations of confidentiality
• Role of state and federal legislation on ADR programs

Toby Treem Guerin is the deputy director for the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland Carey School of Law and clinical instructor for its Mediation Clinic. Guerin has over 10 years experience mediating and facilitating in various venues including government agencies, nonprofit organizations, and court systems. She served as the first chairperson of the Mediator Excellence Council, a mediator quality-assistance initiative in Maryland and formerly directed the agricultural mediation program at the Maryland Department of Agriculture. Guerin conducts trainings on topics such as basic mediation, co-mediation, elicitive feedback, mentoring, and effective communication, among others.

Howard Gadlin has been ombudsman and director of the Center for Cooperative Resolution at the National Institutes of Health since the beginning of 1999. From 1992 through 1998 he was university ombudsperson at UCLA. He was also director of the UCLA conflict mediation program and codirector of the Center for the Study and Resolution of Interethnic/Interracial Conflict. While in Los Angeles, Gadlin served as consulting ombudsman to the Los Angeles County Museum of Art. Prior to coming to UCLA, Gadlin was ombudsperson and professor of psychology at the University of Massachusetts Amherst.