The Committee on Diversity of the New
York State Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section encourages, fosters and
supports the development of diverse talent and inclusion in all types of
alternative dispute resolution, including mediation, arbitration, early neutral
evaluation, mini trials, etc. both as neutrals and as representatives of parties
in the processes. Diversity of those participating in the
dispute resolution process enables the presentation of many views and provides a
greater perspective on how and in what way to use dispute resolution to resolve
problems, leading to more options and fairer results. Encouraging a diverse and inclusive environment also promotes respect and
fosters treating individuals of diverse backgrounds fairly.
“The mere presence of diversity in a group … leads to better group
problem solving.”
- Better Decisions Through
Diversity, Kellogg Insight
The Committee on
Diversity will encourage and provide an avenue for all members of our dispute
resolution community to participate, provide a vehicle for their voice to be
heard and for their views to be taken into consideration. The Committee on Diversity will contact other Committees of the Dispute
Resolution Section, as well as other Sections of the New York State Bar
Association to encourage potential users of the alternative dispute resolution
process to use diverse talent. The Diversity Committee
anticipates holding meetings, planning networking and other activities,
presenting programs and publishing articles that encourage diversity and
inclusion in all areas of the alternative dispute resolution practice, and we
will promote diversity in panels and speakers for programs presented by the New
York State Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. We
will work with the courts to establish mentoring programs for diverse talent new
to the dispute resolution community to gain experience and exposure to the
process through shadowing experienced mediators. “A diverse
… population helps to broaden the worldview of everyone
involved."
The Diversity
Committee, chaired by Noah J. Hanft and Iyana Titus, serves to encourage,
foster and support the development of diverse talent and diversity in
ADR. To further our goal, we have initiated a program to
reach out to, and coordinate with, minority bar associations to have joint
programs with them and to encourage their members to use ADR as advocates in
their practices and encourage their members to become
neutrals.
In this year,
during which the Association is focusing especially on diversity, we will be
working closely with the Dispute Resolution Section Chair in
sponsoring special efforts to encourage diversity. We are
also working with the Membership Committee and will be reaching out to other Sections to encourage diversity within our
Section.
We welcome
suggestions for programs, speakers, networking events and articles on diversity
in the ADR profession, including articles discussing diversity efforts of
corporations, law firms and other entities. The Committee
will assist in getting these articles published in the Dispute Resolution Lawyer, the
Section’s magazine.
Join the Committee
Diversity Committee Roster
Diversity Committee Call for Speakers
Diversity Committee Mentorship Program
Diversity Scholarships
3-Day Commercial Mediation Training Application
3-Day Commercial Arbitration Training Application
