In May 2003, the Law School sponsored a National Conference for Minority Professionals in Alternative Dispute Resolution: Eliminating Barriers for Minorities in the Field of Alternative Dispute Resolution, under the leadership of Professor Floyd D. Weatherspoon and a conference planning committee. The three day conference was held at the Columbus Convention Center and was made possible in part by the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation and Porter, Wright, Morris & Arthur, LLP/Estabrook Charitable Trust.
|
| National Conference of Minority Professionals in ADR Planning Committee Members (left to right): Crevon Terrence, Christy Cumberlander Walker, Eddie Jones, Professor Floyd Weatherspoon, Patricia Williams and Sandra Quick |
The conference enhanced the skills of minority professionals in alternative dispute resolution; promoted the use of alternative dispute resolution in the minority community; identified obstacles that minorities face in alternative dispute resolution; assessed the impact of effective resolution on the minority community; brought together a network of minority professionals and encouraged their active participation in the profession; provided information and guidelines on how minorities can become listed on various alternative dispute resolution panels; and provided affordable, quality training to the minority community.
Numerous sessions and trainings were offered to accommodate various levels of experience among minority professionals in alternative dispute resolution. Presentations covered a wide range of dispute resolution areas, including commercial, courts, family, community, employment, labor, environment, government and education. Pre-conference trainings included basic mediation, transformative mediation, cultural competence, peer mediation, domestic abuse, negotiation, faith-based conflict resolution, and NASD.
Agnes Wilson, Esq., divisional vice-president of the American Arbitration Association, opened the conference. Duard Bradshaw, Esq., president of the Hispanic National Bar Association, was the luncheon keynote speaker.