Dispute Resolution Section

12:00 PM – 12:05 PM

Welcome and Introduction

Speaker

Laura A. Kaster, Esq. | Laura A. Kaster, LLC., Princeton, NJ

12:05 PM – 1:05 PM

Community Engagement: Approaches to Civil Conversations on Racial Equity & Implicit Bias

Many of us say we are committed to improving racial equity in society. However, what does such a statement mean in our everyday lives? Must “we” wait for impacted communities to take the lead on driving racial equality? What positive actions can we as lawyers and dispute resolvers contribute and suggest to help move our communities in the direction of racial equality? This panel consists of leaders who have taken steps to push for racial equality in their communities. They have thought deeply about these issues, taken active steps and will help us discuss them and think about positive action for the future.

Speakers

Sheila S. Boston, Esq. | Arnold & Porter Kaye Scholer, LLP., New York, NY
Pia Flanagan, J.D. | MassMutual, Springfield, MA
Dr. Cheryl L. Holder, M.D. | Florida International University Hervert Wertheim College of Medicine, Miami, Florida
Jill Pilgrim, Esq. | Pilgrim & Associates, New York, NY
Gail Wright Sirmans, Esq. | International Academy of Mediators, New York, NY

1.0 Credit in Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias

1:05 PM – 1:15 PM

Break

1:15 PM – 2:15 PM

Holistic Consideration of COVID’s Challenge to Commercial Tenancies – More than A Landlord, Tenant, Lender 3-Way Negotiation

In this panel, we plan to apply a holistic approach to the challenge of commercial tenancies, recognizing that this is more than a three-party negotiation of landlord, tenant, and financial institutions. COVID has placed an extraordinary strain on these relationships and there is a question of whether this cost should be borne by society at large. In this multi-disciplinary panel, we draw on voices from various sectors to put our collective heads together to address this COVID Commercial Tenancy challenge. We unite panelists with expertise in complex commercial litigation, commercial tenancies, banking, bankruptcy, state and local government, and the Dispute Resolution field to think holistically in a search for creative solutions.

Speakers

Jeffrey M. Eilender, Esq. | Schlam Stone & Dolan, LLP., New York, NY
Patricia E. Salkin, Esq. | Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center, Central Islip, NY
Stephen P. Younger, Esq. | Patterson Belknap Webb & Tyler, LLP., New York, NY
Jantra Van Roy, Esq. | Zeichner Ellman & Krause LLP., New York, NY

Moderator

Simeon H. Baum, Esq. | Resolve Mediation Services, Inc., New York, NY

1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

2:15 PM – 2:25 PM

Break

2:25 PM – 3:25 PM

Ethical Opportunities of Dispute Resolvers – What Can Advocates and Dispute Resolvers Do to Improve Civil Discourse and the Rule of Law?

Legal Ethics typically focuses on our roles in a professional context. Do the multiple crises that we now face provide an opportunity to widen our scope as lawyers and dispute resolvers to dedicate focused effort on promoting civility in our communities and neighborhood organizations and helping to support the “bowling together” that it will take to increase the understanding and implementation of the Rule of Law. This program will explore the evolving role of lawyers in the future. What are the obligations of practitioners involved in dispute resolution? Should lawyers be promoting more collaboration, more dialogue to prevent and resolve conflict?

Speakers

Sasha A. Carbone, Esq. | American Arbitration Association, New York, NY
Jacqueline M. Nolan-Haley, Esq. | Fordham University School of Law, New York, NY
Maurice Q. Robinson, Esq. | New York City Housing Authority, Department of Equal Opportunity, New York, NY
David C. Singer, Esq. | SingerADR Neutral Services, New York, NY
Lewis F. Tesser, Esq. | Tesser, Ryan & Rochman, LLP., White Plains, NY

1.0 Credit in Ethics

3:25 PM – 3:35 PM

Break

3:35 PM – 4:35 PM

Integrating the Day: Reflecting Forward Into Change

This panel of experts from the fields of peace building, neuroscience, neuro-linguistics, collaboration, community building, Conscious Contracts®, and integrative law will share observations and stories to weave together insights from our previous three panels as they challenge us to embrace change and take today’s practical insights forward into our work and our communities. Structured as an engaging conversation among the panelists and audience, this session will integrate perspectives on relationship building and creating spaces and opportunities for shared experience and problem solving. We hope to work together to help all of us contribute to an expansion of our work in dispute resolution to meet the challenges of our moment.

Speakers

Rob Evans | Imaginal Labs, LLC., San Francisco, CA
Carolyn E. Hansen, Esq. | Attorney & Mediation Services, Stone Ridge, NY
Jacqueline Horani, Esq. | Horani Law, PLLC., New York, NY
Dr. Cobus Oosthuizen, Ph.D. | LifeXchange Solutions, Cape Town, South Africa
Patricia H. Powell, Esq. | Counsel for Counsel, LLC., Denver, CO
Rhiannon Thomas, BA LLB | Milkwood Law, Oxford, UK
J. Kim Wright, J.D. | Cutting Edge Law Enterprises, Inc., Global Nomad

1.0 Credit in Areas of Professional Practice

4:35 PM – 5:00 PM

Q&A Followed by Reception