%20(1).png)
ACR-GNY & CUNY Dispute Resolution Center at John Jay College present:
EXPANDING NEW YORK STATE COURTS' ADR INITIATIVE:
A ROUNDTABLE DISCUSSION
NOTE: THIS MONTH SECOND THURSDAY DUE TO
4TH OF JULY HOLIDAY
COFFEE AND CONVERSATION: 8:00 AM
PROGRAM: 8:30 AM
LISA DENIG
In her April 2019 State of the Judiciary Address, New York Chief Judge Janet DiFiore highlighted the need for a formal expansion of Alternate Dispute Resolution in non-criminal litigation. “Court congestion and delay make litigation more expensive, which limits access to justice for working families, people of modest means and small business owners,” she said. She highlighted ADR pilot programs in New York, Bronx, Kings and Richmond Counties, where judges are “intervening at an earlier stage, before significant time and resources have been expended on discovery and trial preparations.” In advancing an early, presumptive ADR program, the Chief Judge urged practitioners to “think outside the limitations and constraints of past, dated protocols and practices.” The Chief Judge, Chief Administrative Judge Lawrence Marks and New York’s Office of Court Administration have also noted the substantial benefits to parties and lawyers of working to find their own solutions and partial solutions to disputes, when possible; and they committed to making the courts resources and partners to help that self-determination and efficiency.
With that charge, the Administrative Judges of each of NY’s 13 Judicial District have been directed to formulate plans for their civil caseloads that incorporate new practices and procedures for instituting various forms of early ADR in all types of civil cases. As the judges create these plans, the court system is enlisting the help of mediators and other neutrals, attorneys, judges, court staff and administrators. The courts seek feedback in the form of suggestions, concerns, and examples of programs (both successful and unsuccessful) to guide them in this formidable task. At this Breakfast, Ms. Denig will provide a broad overview of where the project currently stands; and then spend most of the time in an interactive conversation answering questions and seeking the ideas and input from the wide range of dispute and conflict resolvers in the audience.
LISA DENIG is Special Counsel for ADR Initiatives for the NYS Office of Court Administration, working under the direct supervision of Deputy Chief Administrative Judge, George Silver. Ms. Denig is the coordinator of Chief Judge Janet DiFiore’s new initiative to bring early, presumptive ADR to all civil litigation matters in New York State, and will oversee the implementation of this program in the five boroughs of New York City, Suffolk and Nassau Counties.
Prior to this, Ms. Denig served as the Bureau Chief of Special Litigation in the Westchester County District Attorney’s Office. Her duties there included being in charge of handling all wrongful conviction accusations. Before joining the DA’s office, Ms. Denig served as a law clerk to U.S. Magistrate Judge Lisa Margaret Smith, in the Southern District of New York. She also worked as the Chief of Staff to Putnam County Executive Robert J. Bondi, overseeing 20 different departments and nearly 500 employees.
Ms. Denig is a former President of the Westchester Women’s Bar Association and also served as President of Habitat for Humanity of Putnam County. She is a member of the Pace Law School Board of Visitors and the Westchester Community College Alumni Council. She administers the children’s program at First Baptist Church of Brewster. Ms. Denig is a regular volunteer for Hillside Food Outreach and Compassion International, and teaches six spin classes a week.
Ms. Denig is the proud parent of two grown daughters and four lovable but poorly trained dogs.
