ROUNDTABLE BREAKFAST: WHAT THE PUBLIC'S LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF ADR MEANS FOR PRACTICE AND ETHICS

WHAT THE PUBLIC'S LACK OF UNDERSTANDING OF ADR MEANS FOR PRACTICE AND ETHICS

Panelists will discuss their recent survey of ADR practitioners' and lay people’s understanding of the fundamental characteristics of dispute resolution processes. The project showed that lay people had significant gaps in their knowledge about what mediation and arbitration are; how they differ from one another; what actually happens in mediation and arbitration; and what kinds of outcomes each process is designed to provide.  These knowledge deficiencies should trigger ethical obligations on conflict and dispute resolvers and lawyers, to ensure that clients can make knowledgeable choices of resolution mechanisms, give informed consent, and find greater engagement and success within whatever process the laymen chooses.  The panel will also discuss information opportunities suggested by the survey’s results that professionals can use to fully advise their clients, prospective clients, and the public.

Kristen M. Blankley is the Henry M. Grether, Jr., Professor of Law at the University of Nebraska. Professor Blankley teaches and researches in the area of alternative dispute resolution. In addition, she is an active mediator, facilitator, and arbitrator. One of Professor Blankley’s primary interests is the intersection of dispute resolution and ethics.

Lisa PytlikZillig is an Associate Professor at the Public Policy Center at the University of Nebraska, Interim Director at the Social and Behavioral Sciences Research Consortium at the University of Nebraska – Lincoln, and a community mediator. Her primary research areas involve public engagement around often conflictual issues and trust in institutions.

Ashley Votruba is an Assistant Professor in the Law-Psychology Program at the University of Nebraska - Lincoln. Her primary research area examines how social perception influences legal decision-making and conflict management. In addition, Dr. Votruba is an active mediator and facilitator.

PLEASE NOTE: BREAKFAST WILL BE A VIRTUAL MEETING ON ZOOM. 

8:00 am – 8:30 am | Join call to network with attendees

8:30 am – 10:00 am | Presentation and Discussion

* * * A ZOOM LINK TO THE ROUNDTABLE BREAKFAST WILL BE SENT TO ALL REGISTRANTS THE NIGHT BEFORE THE EVENT * * *