Be Neutral February 2018
A publication of the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution

Pictured (L-R): Bob Berlin, Esq., President, Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia; R. Wayne Thorpe, Esq.; and Tracy Johnson, Executive Director, Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution
2017 ADR Institute Highlights
December 8, 2017
Despite the snowy weather, the 24th Annual Alternative Dispute Resolution Institute and 2017 Neutrals' Conference in Atlanta saw a record turnout in attendance. In total, 288 neutrals enjoyed the program, including remote streaming locations in Savannah, Tifton, and live webstream. Diverse presenters, panelist, and moderators covered a range of topics, offering unique perspective on issues relevant to ADR practice and application. Click here for a copy of the agenda.
In addition to offering engaging sessions, the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution and the Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Georgia awarded the 2017 Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award to R. Wayne Thorpe, Esq., in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the field of alternative dispute resolution in Georgia. Click here to learn more.
The 25th Annual Institute and 2018 Neutral's Conference is scheduled for December 8th. Save the date!

CODR 25th Anniversary
The Commission on Dispute Resolution is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2018.
The Supreme Court Order adopting the ADR Rules, including the creation of CODR and GODR, was filed on January 27, 1993. This order established a new precedent for handling conflict in Georgia, "providing for the speedy, efficient, and inexpensive resolution of disputes and prosecutions."
These founding principles are upheld through the hard work and service of the Commission, the Office, ADR Programs, and registered neutrals statewide.
Please join us in celebrating this momentous occasion, and stay posted for upcoming announcements in the weeks to come.

Commission on Dispute Resolution Updates

The Supreme Court of Georgia has appointed Judge Cindy Morris, Superior Courts, Conasauga Judicial Circuit, and Mr. Hal Gray, Esq. Managing Partner of Ragsdale Beals Seigler Patterson & Gray, LLP, as new members to the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution. Judge Jane C. Barwick, Superior Court, Atlanta Judicial Circuit, was appointed as Chair-Elect and Justice Britt C. Grant administered the oath to all three at the January 31 meeting.

Pictured (L-R): Judge Jane C. Barwick; Judge M. Cindy Morris; Justice Britt C. Grant;
and Hal Gray, III, Esq.

The next meeting is May 9, at the State Bar of Georgia. Commission meeting minutes and additional information can be found here.

ADR Program Updates
Carroll County ADR Program
Ms. Rita Carroll has been working as Program Director for the Carroll County Mediation Center since October 2017. Rita worked as a Child Support Agent from 1987 to 1993 in the Coweta Judicial Circuit. In 1993, she became the Supervisor of the Douglasville Child Support Office. After graduation from GSU College of Law in 2001, she became a Special Assistant Attorney General, serving Paulding, Polk, and Haralson Counties. Since 2006, she has maintained a private practice focusing primarily on Family Law and Bankruptcy. Welcome Ms. Carroll!
Late Registration Renewal Ends April 30
If you have not yet renewed your neutral registration, please be sure to do so as soon as possible. All neutrals who do not complete all steps of renewal prior to April 30 will be placed in inactive status. To renew your registration or for more information on the inactive status, please visit the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution.
Did you know?
Auraria, a ghost town near the city of Dahlonega, is considered the site of the first Gold Rush in America.
You can obtain CE credits for FREE by watching videos posted on the GODR website.
You can view and request job postings for ADR careers on the GODR website.
All advisory and ethics opinions can be viewed on our GODR website.
Helping Our Clients Prepare for Mediation
by Tracy Gould Sheinin
How many times have we neutrals heard a party say, "I've got it at home!" ("It" being an important document that could make a big difference in the outcome of their case) And then we have to break it to them that the judge and the other party are unlikely to wait a couple of hours while they go home and get it. In addition to forgetting important documents, sometimes folks show up late or having skipped breakfast and we end up mediating through lunch. Read More
Read the Fine Print...
Kansas Court of Appeals Case Wasinger v. Roman Catholic Diocese of Salina in Kansas, 2017
In November 2017, the Kansas Court of Appeals examined a contract clause regarding "binding mediation". The court found that said clause is inconsistent with both Kansas law and the spirit of mediation, and established that parties are only obligated to attempt mediation. Click here to read the full court decision.
Calendar of Events
April 4-7 - ABA Dispute Resolution Section Annual Conference, Washington D.C. May 9 - Commission on Dispute Resolution Meeting, State Bar of Georgia October 3-6 - ACR Annual Conference, Pittsburgh December 7 - 25th ADR Institute, State Bar of Georgia
Ongoing CE Opportunities are listed on our webpage.

Got News?
We want to hear from you. Please send any news items for future newsletters to Tracy Johnson.

Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution 404-656-3808
"Providing for the Speedy, Efficient, and Inexpensive Resolution of Disputes and Prosecutions."

Contact Us

Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, 244 Washington Street, SW, Ste. 300, Atlanta, GA 30334
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