As courts face increasingly heavy dockets and complex cases, court-appointed neutrals play a vital role in helping the justice system operate more efficiently and effectively. In this episode, Merrill Hirsh and Tara Emory of the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals share insight into their work and that of their colleagues, highlighting the many ways they support courts nationwide. They also preview the Academy’s upcoming national conference next March in Berkeley, California.

To learn more about the Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals and register for the Academy's annual meeting, please visit: https://acan.memberclicks.net/annual-meeting 

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

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NYIAC’s Rekha Rangachari sits down with JAMS President & CEO Kimberly Taylor to discuss her vision for the organization and how technology—AI, digital tools, and emerging rule frameworks like the JAMS AI Disputes Clause & Rules—is reshaping the future of dispute resolution.

They explore the importance of intentionally building knowledge, taking the high road in both work and life, and why Taylor believes success is ultimately rooted in the human element and practicing empathy. Tune in to learn more about Taylor, recently recognized as one of Corporate Counsel Business Journal’s “50 Women to Watch.”

Learn more about Kim Taylor here.

Read JAMS' AI Disputes Clause & Rules here.

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

As we celebrate Ombuds Day in October, host Larry Schooler chats with Drs. Shannon Burton and Loraleigh Keashly about their new book The Organizational Ombuds: Foundations, Fundamentals & The Future,  a remarkable compilation of history, stories, and analysis of this fascinating profession and facet of dispute resolution. 

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify.

In this episode of Resolutions, AAA’s Aaron Gothelf chats with diplomat and author Dennis Ross about what international peace talks can teach us about everyday mediation. From walking in each other’s shoes to the power of active listening, deadlines, and even strategic misdirection, Ross shows how the fundamentals of negotiation are the same—whether you’re brokering peace between nations or resolving a dispute next door.

Learn more from Dennis Ross at the 2025 Advanced Mediation Institute - hosted virtually Oct. 22 & 23, 2025. Register here. 

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

In this episode, Rekha Rangachari chats with ADR experts Michele Kern-Rappy and Laurie Vahey about early mediation, best practices for success, and how the R.A.I.S.E. Roadmap can streamline the shift from litigation to mediation while balancing professional and personal well-being.

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

Established under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Community Relations Service (CRS) has long served as a specialized conflict resolution agency within the U.S. Department of Justice. In this episode, former CRS Directors Becky Monroe and Grande Lum reflect on the agency’s origins, its role in supporting communities through tension and crisis, and the questions surrounding its current status. Join us to reflect on its mission, share pivotal moments from its history, and make the case for why it still matters.

This episode was published by the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution - the leading source of dispute resolution information and networking opportunities for professionals around the world. Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

Listen on Apple Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify.

In this episode of Resolutions, AAA Vice President Aaron Gothelf interviews lawyer, mediator, and author Ronda Muir about the newly released Second Edition of her groundbreaking book, Beyond Smart: Lawyering with Emotional Intelligence.

Together, they explore how emotional intelligence (EQ) offers a competitive advantage for legal professionals, from improving negotiation outcomes to strengthening law firm culture and client relationships. Muir shares practical tips on hiring for EQ, boosting your own emotional intelligence, and how these skills can enhance your mediation or arbitration practice. They also discuss the role law schools play in preparing emotionally intelligent attorneys for today’s evolving legal landscape.

Get your copy of Beyond Smart: Lawyering with Emotional Intelligence, Second Edition. Take an additional 20% off when you use discount code BSL2D20 at checkout (discount available until 8/31/2025).

Listen on Apple Podcasts, PodBean, and Spotify.

In this episode, Rekha Rangachari sits down with Jeffrey Benz (JAMS), Jill Pilgrim (Pilgrim & Associates Arbitration), and Dr. Katherine Simpson (Simpson ADR) to discuss a career in sports arbitration, the need for arbitration in sports and the arbitration process under the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS), and advantages and challenges of this exciting field on domestic and international stages.  Through candid examples from this esteemed speaker set — comprised of 2 former athletes and 1 fan-turned-coach — they explore the rights and responsibilities of athletes and ADR with a recent Olympic case example.

Read the Olympic case example text here. 

Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!

In this episode of Resolutions, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President Aaron Gothelf sits down with Clearbrief Founder & CEO Jackie Schafer to explore how alternative dispute resolution professionals are integrating AI into their practices. They dive into key questions shaping the future of ADR, including:

• How are attorneys, courts, and neutrals leveraging AI?
• Is AI safe to use in legal proceedings?
• What ethical guidelines should practitioners follow?
• What happens to the data inputted into AI systems?
• Could AI eventually replace human arbitrators?
• Can AI be a tool for advancing social justice?

Join us for an insightful conversation on the evolving role of AI in dispute resolution and what it means for the future of the profession. Check out the AAA-ICDR blog to learn more about AI in dispute resolution.

Not a member of the American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today! 

In this episode of Resolutions, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President, Aaron Gothelf interviews social media strategist, Stefanie Marrone on how ADR Professionals can use LinkedIn to increase their web presence and market their practices.

Topics include: what should be in your LinkedIn profile? When and what to post? Who you should connect to? Social media etiquette, and a host of other subjects.

Whether you’re a seasoned LinkedIn professional or just starting out with LinkedIn, there is something for everyone in this episode. 

Follow Stefanie on LinkedIn!

Not a member of the American Bar Association, Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today! 

Rekha Rangachari interviews Bridget M. McCormack & Colin Rule on AAA-ICDR’s recent partnership with ODR.com and Mediate.com. They share their working relationship over the past years, their shared goal of democratizing ADR, and why we are at a critical juncture of AI development and knowledge building relating to meaningful access to justice. 

Tune in to learn how lawyers can stay involved in the new solutions, products, and services critical to ADR’s evolution. 

Not a member of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution? Join today!