BE NEUTRAL. a publication of the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution June 2019 Meet Your Commission Established 1993 As you know, the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution is the policymaking body appointed by the Georgia Supreme Court to oversee the development of court-connected ADR programs in Georgia. The body, composed of judges, lawyer & non-lawyer members, meets on a regular basis to consider issues important to the development of court-connected ADR in Georgia. You met our newest members in the last newsletter; now journey with us over the next several editions, as we take a closer look at the Commission's ongoing members. Let's start with our veterans! Drum roll, please... Edith B. Primm, Esq. - Commission Member since 2008, Chair from 2009 to 2012 - Executive Director & a Senior Trainer, Justice Center of Atlanta - 2015 Recipient of the Chief Justice Harold G. Clarke Award - Co-Winner, Inaugural Frank E.A. Sander Innovation in ADR Award - Once called a "war-time consigliere" by Chief Justice Hugh P. Thompson for keen advisement during a key GCDR restructuring period Judge Charles E. Auslander, III - Commission Member since 2006, Chair from 2012 to February 2019 - State Court / DUI Court Judge, Athens-Clarke County - 2011 Magistrate of the Year - Credits an amazing education in ADR to Edith Primm and the other outstanding Commission members - UGA "Double Dawg" & avid runner Judge C. Andrew Fuller - Commission Member since 2009 - Chair, Committee on Budget/Personnel - Superior Court Judge / Presiding Judge of the Hall County REACT Program - Chair, Criminal Justice Coordinating Council - Former District Attorney & served on the Advisory Board of GA Indigent Defense Council - Native of Gainesville, GA (Hall County) Melissa Heard, MSSW - Commission Member since 2009 - Chair, Committee on Training & Credentials - Registered Neutral & Approved Trainer - Former: ADR Program Director, Police Dept. Crisis Interventions Specialist, Sports News Anchor, Social Services Director - Lifetime Girl Scout, Alpha Kappa Sorority, Inc. Read More About Our History Pencil us in! The Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution will be co-hosting two continuing education sessions at an event on Friday, August 9 in Gainesville. Event preregistration is required and you MUST be a registered neutral to attend. A separate email with details will be sent out this month. Want to be the first to know? Follow us on social media via LinkedIn or our brand new Twitter page. Ongoing CE opportunities are listed on our website here. GODR 411: Answering Your Questions "Do I need to wait until registration renewal opens in order to submit my continuing education hours?" Absolutely no need! You can (and we encourage you to) submit your CE hours throughout the year, as you earn them. Submitting early shortens the renewal process and may ease the stress of last minute renewal (reminder: the annual deadline is December 31). Registered neutrals must complete three (3) hours every year; remember that attorneys must submit hours to the Office directly, as CLE is not automatically received from the State Bar. 2019 ADR Institute 26th Annual ADR Institute and 2019 Neutrals' Conference The ADR Institute is on the move! This year, the conference will be held at the GSU College of Law. We think you may find the new space to be fresh and exciting! Mark your calendars and expect a more detailed message from us when registration opens. Note: our usual meeting date has moved to the 2nd week in December! December 13, 2019 GSU College of Law 85 Park Place NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 WHAT'S HAPPENING The State of Washington has passed SB 5560 - a bill that mandates elected officials try ADR before turning to traditional litigation. Read the full The Monroe Monitor & Valley News article here. Read something interesting recently lately? Let us know! Send current news to gaodr@georgiacourts.gov Calendar of Events Aug 9: GODR CE Event, Gainesville Aug 21: CODR Meeting, State Bar of GA October 1: Renewal Registration Begins Oct 3-6: ACR Annual Conference Nov 6: CODR Meeting, State Bar of GA Dec 13: 2019 ADR Institute CONNECT WITH US Copyright 2019 GODR All rights reserved. Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution 244 Washington St. SW, Suite 300 Atlanta, GA 30334 404-463-3808 gaodr@georgiacourts.gov Want to change how you receive these emails? You can update your preferences or unsubscribe from this list.