This webinar will address ethical challenges in mediation and other ADR, including pre and post-communications with one or more of the parties.
The presentation will involve an overview of the following:
• Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators
• Rules of Professional Conduct with a focus on confidentiality, diligence, competence, and technology
• Common and not so common ethical challenges in mediation and other ADR
In discussing the rules, guidelines and standards, the presentation will discuss why confidentiality often applicable to ADR does not relieve attorney-advocates and neutrals from ethical obligations, including civility, professionalism, and representations regarding material facts. When difficult circumstances arise in connection with ADR, neutrals should be aware of options for addressing the circumstances, including when terminating a mediation or ADR session is appropriate. The webinar will include specific ethical challenges, including in connection with the increased use of technology.
Speaker & Moderator: Laurel E. Stevenson, Director, Federal District Court, Kansas City
| Overcoming Ethical Challenges (489.9 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| MOLAP Information (210.1 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
| Important Information for Attorneys Seeking Kansas Credit (102.8 KB) | Available after Purchase | ||
Laurel Stevenson is the Director of the Mediation and Assessment Program (MAP) for the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri. She oversees approximately 1,000 civil cases annually and serves as a mediator and facilitator. Laurel has conducted hundreds of mediations, including more than 300 via Zoom. Her ADR work includes class actions, insurance, FLSA, employment, wrongful death, transportation, medical malpractice, and commercial disputes. Several resolutions have resulted in institutional policy changes. She also co-chairs the ABA’s Court ADR Committee within the DR Section and is the Editor of The Resolver, a publication of the FBA’s ADR Section.
Prior to her current position, Laurel tried more than eighty jury trials to verdict, served as appellate counsel, was lead trial counsel in numerous bench trials, and taught trial practice in Missouri and Texas. She served more than a decade as a Facilitator for the Missouri Bar Complaint Resolution Program and the Fee Dispute Resolution Program. She also served as a mediator, arbitrator, and facilitator during her last twelve years in private practice.
