Updated May 4, 2010
May 4, 2010
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE
Karen Smith I 2010 CDRC President
CDRC is pleased to announce that AB2475 (Beall) has been defeated!
Thanks to the hard work, consistent communication and face to face interfacing with the author, CDRC Lobbyist Donne Brownsey and the CDRC's board was able to convince the legislature to support our OPPOSE position on this bill that was threatening mediator confidentiality.
A special thank you to all who supported CDRC and the dispute resolution industry during this effort. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining what may be the most important organization to the dispute resolution profession. CDRC needs your financial support to continue to monitor critical legislation. Please join at the highest level possible. Thank you.
JOIN NOW - KEEP OUR PROFESSION SAFE!
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March 10, 2010
California Dispute Resolution Council
In this issue:
-President's Message by Karen Smith
-Mediation Week Recognized
-CDRC in MarinCounty
-Invite to Open Board CDRC Board Meeting, April 7, 2010
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PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE - Karen Smith
The CDRC Board is hard at work during this very busy time of year. This political season has several new bills pending, including a Foreclosure Mediation Program and potential change to the CCP Arbitrator Disclosure requirements. CDRC's Legislative Committee, expertly led by Paul Dubow, is working overtime to analyze and assess each submission and revision. Of particular interest is AB1718, proposed by CDRC and sponsored by dispute resolution advocate Assembly member Bill Monning (D-Carmel), which, if passed, will increase DRPA funding. CDRC is leading this state-wide effort with lobbyist Donne Brownsey, which includes a campaign to educate the legislature for a much needed and long overdue fee increase for community mediation programs. Stakeholders from across the state are gathering in Sacramento on March 23 to testify about the importance and benefits of these programs. If you'd like to write a letter or otherwise join the effort, please send an e-mail to cdrc@yahoo.com at your earliest opportunity as time is most certainly of the essence.
We encourage all of our past, present and prospective members to attend the ABA Dispute Resolution Spring Conference. This is an important event in our industry and CDRC will be well represented. Our board meeting is open to the public and being hosted by the conference on April 7th from 1:00pm to 6:00pm. Additionally, several of our board members are presenting topics, and our lobbyist Donne Brownsey, Mickey Katz, Jim Madison and I will be presenting "David and Goliath: Measuring the Impact of the California Dispute Resolution Council on Conflict Resolution in California" at 2:45 on Thursday, April 8th. We hope to see you there! Here is the conference information:
http://www.abanet.org/dispute/conference/2010/home.html
If you are enjoying this e-mail as a member, thank you for your valuable support. If you are not currently a member, please consider joining what may be the most important organization to the dispute resolution profession. CDRC needs your financial support to continue to monitor critical legislation. Please join at the highest level possible. Thank you.
Karen Smith
AMCC
(800) 645-4874
Mediation Week Recognized
By Milica Novakovic
Court Mediation Program Coordinator
The Judicial Council of California has designated the third week in March as "Mediation Week," and courts and mediation providers and organizations around the state will be joining to increase public awareness of the availability and benefits of court mediation programs. California Superior Courts increasingly encourage and offer mediation for a broad range of issues and case types. Although the courts will remain closed on the third Wednesday, March 17, many courts will be hosting special events in recognition of Mediation Week.
For more information about mediation and Mediation Week, and to view the Judicial Council's Standing Resolution, go to http://www.courtinfo.ca.gov/jc/documents/reports/031209tem5.pdf.
CDRC in MarinCounty
Maurice Zilber, Immediate Past President of CDRC, was the featured speaker at the January meeting of the ADR Section of the Marin County Bar Association. Maury brought Section members up to date on the very small amount of legislative and administrative activity affecting arbitration and mediation in Sacramento last year, alerted the members to AB 1588 that would establish a Monitored Mortgage Workout Program utilizing mediators noting that CDRC had submitted many comments on the first draft of the bill and that a revised draft would be coming out shortly, and discussed CDRC's hope for a new DRPA funding bill, AB 1718, which was introduced by Assembly Member Bill Monning. Maury also discussed Federal legislative proposals and adopted legislation the CDRC was following: the Arbitration Fairness Act of 2009; the Franken Amendment to the Defense Appropriations Act, which bars government defense contractors from enforcing pre-dispute arbitration clauses in employment agreements with respect to civil rights violations and other matters; and the special Auto Dealers/Manufacturers Arbitration program established by Section 747 of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2010. Members were interested in what position CDRC was going to take with respect to the appeal in Cassel v SuperiorCourtofLos AngelesCounty. Since the CDRC Public Policy Committee and the CDRC Board had not yet met to discuss that case, he urged them to check on CDRC's website in the coming months. In consideration of the talk, the Section made a very generous contribution to CDRC, which is much appreciated.
CDRC Officers and Board Members are available to talk to any other Bar Association about legislative, administrative and court related matters affecting alternative dispute resolution, if CDRC members would like to arrange for that in their local jurisdiction.
Please join us for an Open Board Meeting
at the ABA Spring Dispute Resolution Conference
in San Francisco
April 7, 2010
1:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m.
California Dispute Resolution Council: The Voice of ADR in California, Open Board Meeting featuring accomplished industry lobbyist, Donne Brownsey.
February 18, 2010
PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE -
2010 CDRC President Karen Smith
Welcome to another challenging and important year for dispute resolution professionals, sure to be closely monitored and quickly responded to by the California Dispute Resolution. I'm delighted to invite you to explore our organization and visit our website, www.CDRC.net for vital industry information, as well as an introduction to this remarkable group of board members and past-presidents. This association has proven to be a profound think tank for the growth and success of dispute resolution professionals. After perusing our mission statement and past accomplishments, I hope that you will also recognize the potential for CDRC to assist in your professional growth and the overall success of the dispute resolution industry.
CDRC is the voice of ADR in California and it cannot survive without the membership of YOU, the industry neutrals and providers that we staunchly support. We offer our members the extraordinary opportunity to become deeply connected with fellow neutrals, adr provider firms and legislative bodies. Most importantly, CDRC is the only organization watching out for the individual practitioner. Membership is a very small price to pay for the realized benefits of legislative protection, a true friend of the courts and industry vigilance.
With its diverse membership of neutrals, providers and community organizations, CDRC represents every professional in the ADR industry. Throughout the year, members are able to benefit from a variety of unique opportunities for professional development, networking and education. Our annual conference is the perfect opportunity to learn from experts in the field, hone professional skills, consider our responsibilities, and ponder on future trends. Please mark your calendars to attend the most important ADR event, the 17th Annual ADR Policy Conference, in Los Angeles on October 22, 2010.
Perhaps most important to this organization and the dispute resolution industry is the perseverance and professionalism of CDRC's lobbyist, Donne Brownsey of Sacramento Advocates. An experienced and skilled lobbyist, Donne keeps CDRC abreast of current legislation and acts on behalf of CDRC for the benefit of all dispute resolution professionals.
CDRC is amongst the most respected organizations in the industry and is an essential tool for the dispute resolution professional. Our changing world demands up-to-date resources, outreach and information. You'll find much of that information here and if you choose to become a member of CDRC, you will be linked to the most influential and successful professionals, as well as keep abreast of case law and legislation directly affecting your practice.
You are invited to become acquainted with our esteemed community of dispute resolution professionals. Once joining CDRC, you will have access to our Members Only section which gives you admission to world of relevant and timely information, as well as crucial networking tools for today's neutral.
I warmly welcome all CDRC members, present and future. Please join and contribute to this vital organization. Thank you.
Karen Smith
AMCC
(800) 645-4874
