Mediation Arbitration Specialist

For my final posting today, I wanted to alert you to a great program that will be offered by Professional Resolutions Experts of Michigan (PREMi). On October 27th, 2011 at the Cooley Law School Auburn Hills Campus, PREMi will be presenting an 8 hour seminar, which will qualify for CLE credit, on the phenomenon of Med/Arb. This is a process where a single ADR provider first conducts a mediation with the disputing parties, and if no settlement is arrived at, conducts an arbitration with the award being a final and binding award. The seminar will explore the documentation and disclosures that are required to agree to the process, the benefits and burdens of the process, and the ethical issues involved. I will be one of the presenters, as will many of the other extremely qualified PREMi associates. If you have not experienced this form of ADR, which is currently on the rise, this is the seminar for you. If you have been a part of one or more Med/Arb processes, your input at the seminar would be great.

The ADR Section of the Michigan Bar Association needs your help. We are working to obtain the passage of the Revised Uniform Arbitration Act (RUAA) in Michigan. The Michigan Arbitration Act, which was patterned after the Uniform Arbitration Act, was passed in the 1950's and there has been little or no modification since then. Obviously the use of arbitration has changed dramatically. Not only as a result of increase in numbers, but also the dramatic change in technology. The reforms are absolutely essential to modernizing the arbitration process and to protect the users due process rights, lower cost, and increase efficiency. We would appreciate any support you might be able to give. Please contact me for details as to how you might be able to help.

This is just to alert you to several ADR CLE programs, both of which I will be a trainer/faculty member. On March 15th, 2012, The Institute of Continuing Legal Education and the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the Michigan Bar Association will hold their 11th Annual Advanced Negotiation & Dispute Resolution Institute. I will be moderating and speaking on the arbitration topics " Is the current arbitration system broken?" and Suggested remedies for a broken system." Also on November 18th, 2011 I will be the trainer for an American Arbitration Association ACE program "Maximizing Efficiency and Economy in Arbitration". I urge both arbitration advocates, users, and providers to attend and participate. They both will be extremely helpful to all who attend.