How has the field of arbitration evolved, and what can arbitrators learn from the judiciary? In this episode, host Dr. Larry Schooler sits down with Judge J. Michelle Childs of the U.S. Court of Appeals, D.C. Circuit, and keynote speaker at the ABA Dispute Resolution Section's Arbitration Institute, to explore the intersection of arbitration and litigation. Judge Childs shares her perspective on how each method can inform and strengthen the other, and what the future may hold for dispute resolution.

To hear Judge Childs speak live, join us at the ABA Dispute Resolution Section's Arbitration Institute on June 3–4, 2026. Register before May 29 at https://ambar.org/arb2026 and use promo code DRPODCAST for 15% off.

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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In this episode of Resolutions, host Rekha Rangachari sits down with Wisconsin State Bar Ethics Counsel Timothy Pierce to unpack ABA Formal Ethics Opinion 518 — issued October 2025 and focused on a mediator's duty to avoid misleading communications when serving as a third-party neutral. They examine what the Opinion means in practice: the heightened obligation to maintain neutrality, the line between permissible evaluation and prohibited recommendations, and how Model Rules 2.4, 4.1, and 8.4(c) govern candor in mediation.

Whether you're a seasoned neutral or newly stepping into the role, this conversation will help you recalibrate your ethical compass.

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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In this episode of Resolutions, American Arbitration Association Commercial Vice President Aaron Gothelf speaks with Peter Silverman, Chair of the EDR Institute, and Tracey Frisch, Division Vice President of Mediation at the American Arbitration Association, about how Early Dispute Resolution and risk-adjusted value decision trees are transforming the way disputes are resolved.

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 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, Merril 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!

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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!

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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).

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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. 

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