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ADR Advisory Committee Update
On Dec. 12, 2006, the Joint
State Government Commission introduced the members of the
Advisory Committee on Alternative Dispute Resolution, the group that will assist
the Commission's legislative Task Force on Alternative Dispute Resolution. The study
of the state of alternative dispute resolution in Pennsylvania was authorized by
Senate Resolution 160 enacted in 2005.
The Advisory Committee is made up of people from across the state with a wide range
of experience in mediation, arbitration and other forms of dispute resolution. They
work in community centers, private practice, law firms, health care settings, academic
institutions, courts and government agencies. The Committee is chaired by PCM members
Ann L. Begler, Esq., of the Begler Group in Pittsburgh, and Winnie Backlund, of the
Montgomery Conflict Mediation Center.
What's happened so far
Feb. 2007 ~ The Advisory Committee held its first meeting.
May 2007 ~ The Committee met to map out its mission and operating principles, and
to hear about the experience of four states (NY, MD, FL & NJ).
Sept. 2007 ~The Committee was divided into six working sub-groups. The goal is
to identify best practices in ADR and develop a plan to encourage the public's understanding
and use of ADR services in Pennsylvania.
2008 ~ The working sub-groups have researched the extent of existing ADR services
and are gathering recommendations on best practices.
Oct. 2008 ~ The full committee met to review progress and discuss issues around
credentialing.
Nov. 2008 to Oct. 2009 ~ The sub-groups continued to work on research and exploring
best practices for their practice area. Each sub-group prepared a preliminary recommendation
for consideration by the full committee.
Nov. 2009 ~ The full committee met to hear reports from the sub-groups and begin
to formulate a proposal to the state legislature.
Dec. 2010 ~ The full committee met to discuss its recommendations as preparation
for finalizing them in the spring of 2011.
April 2012 ~ Due to state government budget constraints, staff who had been supporting the committee were laid off. Advisory Committee members plan to prepare a final draft report that will cover recommendations put forward by the sub-groups: Business, Commercial and Personal Injury; Family; Schools & Education; Government & Public Policy; and Community, Juvenile Delinquency & Corrections
Other PCM members who are part of Advisory Committee, listed by sub-group:
Business, Commercial and Personal Injury
Barbara N. Lyons, Esq.
Family
Edward Blumstein, Esq.
David V. Breen, Esq.
Susan Kay Candiello, Esq. RN
Cheryl Cutrona, Esq.
Barbara Foxman
Cynthia L. Lehman, Esq.
Anthony J. Libassi
Schools & Education
CHAIR: Valerie J. Faden, Esq.
Judy Shopp, Esq.
Government & Public Policy
CHAIR: James A. Rosenstein, Esq.
Herbert R. Nurick, Esq.
Community, Juvenile Delinquency & Corrections
CHAIR: Gale McGloin
Grayfred Gray, Esq.
Rev. William H. Jacobsen, Ph.D
Phoebe A. Sheftel
Jon A. Singer |
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