OBA Alternative Dispute Resolution and Young Lawyers Division PROGRAM
Original Program Date: December 14, 2022

This year, the Ontario Bar Association released a landmark report highlighting the reality that mediators and arbitrators often do not reflect the populations they serve and proposing recommendations for improvement. Join us for an engaging discussion about why and how to increase diversity in alternative dispute resolution settings. Our expert panel will consider the practical steps that lawyers, law firms, in-house counsel, mediators, arbitrators, government and other institutions can take to increase both the supply of and the demand for diverse neutrals, including such topics as:

• How neutrals from diverse backgrounds can enhance client experiences and improve outcomes
• Recommendations for the adoption of mediation and arbitration clauses in contracts
• How to develop and implement a diversity pledge
• Using data to track or review the diversity of mediators or arbitrators retained by law firms and/or litigation departments and setting goals for improvement

PROGRAM CHAIRs

Afsana Gibson-Chowdhury, Clear Collaborative Mediation
Jennifer Egsgard, Egsgard Mediation

PROGRAM SPEAKERS

Jacqueline Horvat, Law Society of Ontario Treasurer
Rahat Godil, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Julia Shin Doi, General Counsel, Toronto Metropolitan University
Professor Sarah Rudolph Cole, Moritz College of Law, Ohio State University