Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker has declared Oct. 18, 2018, to be "Dispute Resolution Day" in Massachusetts. In his official proclamation, Gov. Baker notes that, "Much of the public is unaware of the many dispute resolution process options that exist, how they work, and as such, there is a growing need to educate the public, the legal community, the judiciary and the legislature about these practices."
The day falls during Conflict Resolution Week, Oct. 15-19, when the Massachusetts Bar Association's Dispute Resolution (DR) Section will present and support a series of free DR-related events around the commonwealth in recognition of the many benefits that DR processes bring to the legal community and the people of Massachusetts.
The MBA's DR Section invites everyone to celebrate the governor's proclamation at its Oct. 18 Conflict Resolution Day Reception. At the reception, the MBA will also honor the memory and legacy of Frank Sander -- a luminary in the field of conflict resolution -- by presenting its inaugural MBA Professor Frank E.A. Sander Award in Dispute Resolution to David A. Hoffman. Special guest Robert Mnookin, a leading scholar in the field of conflict resolution, will provide an inside look at dispute resolution today, during a Q&A session.
Whether you are a member of the DR community or a member of the public interested in conflict resolution in a complex world, there is something for everyone. RSVP below for Conflict Resolution Week events today.
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Conflict Resolution Week Calendar of Events
Mediation on Trial: Putting Mediation and Conciliation on Trial
Monday, Oct. 15, 10 a.m.-noon
Worcester County Law Library, 184 Main St., Worcester
Attend a mock hearing in which the process of mediation is the subject of the argument. Appearing before a judge, two attorneys will debate the benefits and flaws in mediation and conciliation. Panelists will act out the roles of the judge, attorneys, husband, wife, conciliator and mediator in a family law matter.
RSVP
Worcester/Central Mass. Court-Connected Dispute Resolution Programs
Monday, Oct. 15, 12:45-2 p.m.
Worcester County Law Library, 184 Main St., Worcester
Join us as we celebrate Conflict Resolution Week by presenting, honoring and acknowledging the work of the court-approved conciliation/mediation programs in the Worcester/Central Massachusetts area.
RSVP
Walking the Tightrope: Accountability and Reconciliation in the #MeToo Era
Tuesday, Oct. 16, 4:30-6:30 p.m.
MBA, 20 West St., Boston
In the turbulent wake of #MeToo, how do we move from shaming to accountability and reconciliation? Have we slapped a one-size-fits-all label on rapists, gropers, would-be seducers, and office bullies? Panelists — lawyers, mediators, a university ombudsperson, and journalists — will discuss how communities of interest may begin to heal from the assault of bullying or a culture of sexual harassment. What is the road to reconciliation?
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Conflict Resolution Day Reception
Thursday, Oct. 18, 6:30-8:30 p.m.
Harvard Law School, Austin Hall, 1515 Massachusetts Ave., Cambridge
During this reception, the MBA will honor the memory and legacy of Frank Sander, a luminary in the field of conflict resolution, by presenting its inaugural MBA Professor Frank E.A. Sander Award in Dispute Resolution to David A. Hoffman, the founding member of Boston Law Collaborative LLC. Hoffman has dedicated decades to studying, advocating, practicing, educating, writing, articulating and evolving dispute resolution. A teacher and peacemaker, Hoffman models DR skills and behaviors for the improvement of the field and the benefit of humanity.
Special guest Robert Mnookin, a leading scholar in the field of conflict resolution, will provide an inside look at dispute resolution today, during a Q&A session. Mnookin is the Samuel Williston Professor of Law at Harvard Law School, the former chair of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School, and the director of the Harvard Negotiation Research Project.
In addition, Gov. Charlie Baker’s proclamation recognizing Oct. 18 as Dispute Resolution Day in Massachusetts will be presented at the reception.
RSVP