Straus Institute Launches Inn of Court for Dispute Resolution

On February 8, 2018 the Pepperdine/Straus American Inn of Court for Dispute Resolution held its first Program meeting, at the downtown Los Angeles law offices of Jones Day. Thirty-eight members of the Inn gathered to meet, network, enjoy dinner and attend an entertaining and interactive program entitled "Is it O.K. to Lie in Mediation?" presented by the Honorable Andrew Guilford, District Judge for the United States District Court for the Central District of California and Honorary Inn of Court member; Paul Rafferty, Esq., Jones Day partner and Inn Executive Committee Member; Stephen Lepley, Adjunct Professor of Law, Straus Institute Director of Professional Outreach, and Inn of Court President. The program was the first of four lunch and dinner meetings scheduled for Spring 2018.

The meeting was the culmination of a year's work by the Inn's Organizing/Executive Committee, initiated by Straus Institute Professor and Dean Thomas Stipanowich. The Inn is modeled on and affiliated with the American Inns of Court, associating more than 30,000 lawyers, judges, professors and other legal professionals nationally from all levels and backgrounds who share a passion for excellence, civility, professionalism and ethics. Continuing the tradition of mentoring students and young professionals, the Pepperdine/Straus Inn is dedicated to offering the highest caliber dispute resolution professional education programs providing MCLE credit. The Pepperdine/Straus Inn is one of only two Inns nationally that specialize in dispute resolution (DR), and is the only Inn focused on and affiliated with a law school DR program.