Insights into Alternative Dispute Resolution for SSF Attorneys

February 26 | Noon - 1:30 PM | Zoom Webinar

In this 90-minute course, attorneys Jennifer Arnett and Melora Bentz will provide an overview of alternative dispute resolution tools available to attorneys and their clients to solve disputes outside litigation and the courts, both as a methodology when adverse claims arise and to establish a prospective path for contract remedies.

Topics to be addressed will include:

• the range of ADR methods available for resolving disputes;
• differences between the various types of mediation and arbitration, as well as use of restorative justice and other resolution processes, such as neutral evaluation;
• how the varied types and methods of ADR provide a process and outcome satisfactory to both parties;
• practice areas that frequently utilize and can benefit from using ADR as a tool to solve and de-escalate parties’ disputes; 
• governmental regulations and legislative trends requiring use of ADR prior to pursuing legal claims by other methods;
• the importance of selecting, and how to select, the appropriate facilitating professional;
• the significance of parties’ identities and importance of taking into consideration the impact that diverse cultural, economic, and educational backgrounds may have on the resolution process and reaching a mutually acceptable outcome, ensuring the approach and methodology are equitable and inclusive for all participants;
• drafting ADR contract provisions that later provide the intended resources and path to resolution, and the negative consequences of unwise drafting; and; 
• enforceability of ADR contract provisions.

The live Zoom session will remain open for attendee questions.

OUR SPEAKERS:

Jennifer Arnett focuses on resolution of commercial, construction, outdoor recreation, and insurance coverage disputes. She formed Rocky Mountain ADR in 2023. Jennifer brings to her mediation practice over 20 years of litigation experience. After graduating from Kansas State University, she attended Columbia Law School where she was a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and the Editor-in-Chief of the Columbia Human Rights Law Review. Jennifer also has a Master of International Affairs from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs. She clerked for the Hon. Louis H. Pollak of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and then developed a new project focused on low-wage immigrant workers as a Skadden Fellow at the Women’s Rights Project of the ACLU. Jennifer was a litigator at top New York firms and then served as the Chief Litigation Officer of a national property and casualty insurance company. After moving to Colorado, Jennifer was a partner at a national firm before forming Arnett Litigation in 2021. When not mediating or litigating, Jennifer rides her road and gravel bikes, hikes, and spends time with her two daughters who are involved in sports and the arts.  

Melora Bentz is an attorney, mediator/arbitrator, and restorative justice facilitator. She mediates cases throughout Colorado, facilitates difficult conversations in the workplace, and coaches leaders to prioritize inclusivity. She facilitates restorative justice circles for the Conflict Center, in conjunction with the Denver DA’s program, Restorative Denver. She advocates for equal access to justice and guides individuals and communities to transformation despite difficult situations. In the workplace, Melora offers services including executive coaching; policy, procedure, and culture assessment; and facilitated conversations.

The Practical Lawyer CLE series was developed by Colorado W.O.L.F. (Women Owned Law Firms) specifically to provide law firm business and practice management education to Colorado’s Solo and Small Law Firm community. This series is jointly sponsored by the Solo Small Firm Practice Section, Colorado Bar Association. Through the financial support of the Solo Small Practice Section, all Section members receive free access to all live and home study courses. 

Pending 2 general and .4 EDI CLE Credits

Register for the CLE!