Alternative Dispute Resolution is one of the fastest growing areas of the law. Public policy has long favored arbitration and mediation. As the complexity and cost of litigation have risen, and court congestion has worsened, private litigants are increasingly turning to ADR as a way to manage disputes they cannot avoid. It is now widely recognized that in many cases clients can obtain better results through ADR than through conventional litigation. With ADR, the parties can avoid delay and expense of litigation, maintain confidentiality and control over the process and achieve a better outcome through agreements reached through their direct participation and input.

The ADR Section is dedicated to the professional education of its members, and to be a bridge between the membership, the ADR staff, the courts and the public in matters involving ADR.  The members who practice in this section are lawyers who are also practitioners of mediation, arbitration, neutral case evaluation and special mastering. 

The section plans general luncheon meetings every two to three months and a seminar at the MCLE Spectacular in November.  These meetings are in addition to special events and cocktail mixers.  Board meetings are held monthly except in the summer.

Wayne V. R. Smith
Attorney at Law
PO BOX 3219
Martinez, CA  94553
T: (925) 228-5232
email: wvrsmith@pacbell.net 

The Superior Court of California County of Contra Costa has created some shortcuts to their ADR pages as follows:

www.cc-courts.org/adr Settling Cases Before Trial

www.cc-courts.org/panelforms Panel Member Forms 

www.cc-courts.org/panelupdate  Updating Your Listing