The Neutral Zone: Maintaining Mediator Impartiality and Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

For Neutrals and Others Interested in Learning About Issues in Mediation Ethics

Impartiality is an ethical cornerstone of mediation. Codes of ethics the world over require mediators to avoid bias or favoritism by word or action and decline to serve when current or past relationships create incurable conflicts of interest, and advocates owe a duty of disclosure when they are aware of such conflicts.

In this workshop, we will  examine these concepts by:
1) parsing the text of the Model Standards, the Rules of Professional Conduct, and CPR’s Rules for the Lawyer Serving as a Third Party Neutral;
2) dissect a well-publicized case where plaintiffs in a mass tort case challenged the mediator’s conduct in light of a significant relationship with an employee at defendant company; and
3) recent amendments in state ethics codes seeking to distinguish waivable from non-waivable conflicts.  

Speaker:
Ellen Waldman, Vice President, at the CPR Institute. Waldman has been active as a professor in the fields of mediation and medical ethics for over two decades. She has published over 25 articles and crafted the first book-length treatment of ethical dilemmas in mediation, entitled "Mediation Ethics: Cases and Commentaries." 

Fee and Registration:
There is no fee for neutrals on the CPR Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.

For others, the fee is $49, payable by credit card at time of registration.

Continuing Legal Education
The organizers expect to receive approval for 1 NY CLE credit for experienced attorneys in Ethics. (While a recording will be available after the event for those that registered, CLE credit is only available to those that attend the live webinar.)

Non-NY attendees will receive proof of attendance for use in applying for credit in their jurisdiction.

*NY CLE: CPR (International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution) has been certified by the New York State Continuing Legal Education Board as an Accredited Provider of Continuing Legal Education in the State of New York. This continuing legal education course has been approved in accordance with the requirements of the New York State CLE Rules and Regulations for credits as indicated above.

CPR Financial Aid Policy:
CPR is a non-profit organization.  Under financial hardship guidelines, at its discretion, CPR may waive the fee for attorneys who demonstrate that they are not currently employed (not retirees). CPR may also provide a special discounted price to attorneys, full time judges and administrative law judges practicing in the nonprofit and public sectors full time. Please contact Helena Tavares Erickson at herickson@cpradr.org to request financial assistance with this program.

Questions?
Please email Micah Seigel at mseigel@cpradr.org.