Master the strategies of Appropriate Dispute Resolution to streamline litigation, preserve client relationships, and secure efficient outcomes outside the courtroom.
Discover how court-sponsored ADR can help resolve cases efficiently and effectively. Panelists from the NYS Courts will explore mediation and other ADR options for a variety of civil matters—including personal injury, contract disputes, employment issues, matrimonial cases, and more.
Ideal for both plaintiff and defense attorneys, this session offers practical strategies to leverage ADR for faster, cost-effective outcomes.
The course delves into the practical and strategic aspects of utilizing court-sponsored ADR programs. Presenters clarify the distinctions between various processes, such as mediation, settlement conferences, and neutral evaluation, while explaining the specific rules and authority governing these referrals, including Part 160 and Part 146. Through detailed discussions of initiatives like the NYC Citywide ADR Part 20 and the Martin P. Violante ADR Program in Western New York, attorneys will learn how these confidential, cost-free services can resolve complex civil matters, preserve relationships, and alleviate court backlogs.
Key learning outcomes include:
The NYS Academy of Trial Lawyers is the largest statewide trial bar in the US with 5,700+ lawyer and judge members. We are committed to protecting, preserving and enhancing the civil justice system. Our highly acclaimed CLE programming features extraordinary presenters covering the most timely and important topics.
Judge of the New York Supreme Court 1st Judicial District
Judge Deborah Kaplan presides in a newly created citywide Alternative Dispute Resolution Part where she mediates complex civil matters from across New York City. She was appointed Deputy Chief Administrative Judge of the New York City Courts in 2021. Before ascending to the bench 20 years ago, Judge Kaplan worked at the Legal Aid Society where she was awarded the Orison S. Marden Award for her outstanding work. Judge Kaplan co-chairs the New York State Justice Task Force, chairs the NYS Judicial Committee on Elder Justice, is a member of the NYS Judicial Committee on Women in the Courts and the Advisory Committee on Court Access for People with Disabilities, and is a past president of Women's Bar Association of the State of New York.
Director of the Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution in the NYS Office of Court Administration
Lisa is the Director of the Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in the NYS Office of Court Administration, where she works to oversee and promote the growth of alternative dispute resolution programs. She is an advisor to the Chief Judge's Statewide ADR Advisory Committee, former co- chair of the New York Women's Bar Association's ADR Committee, and winner of the NY Peace Institute's Peace Raiser Award (2019). Lisa received her J.D. from the Columbia University School of Law, where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar, and graduated cum laude from Columbia College. She speaks Spanish and Hebrew.
Court Attorney Referee for the NYS Office of Court Administration
Melissa is a Court Attorney Referee for the NYS Office of Court Administration assigned to the Martin P. Violante Alternative Dispute Resolution Program for the 8th Judicial District. In this role, she serves as a mediator for various civil litigation matters, including torts, contracts, business disputes, and real estate matters. She also is a member of the Chief Judge's Statewide Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution and serves as Co-Chair of the Consent to Mediation subcommittee. Melissa has been very active in numerous bar associations and community activities and continues to mentor to numerous law students through the UB Law School and WBASNY's Mentoring Programs.
