State Supreme Court Chief Justice honored at banquet during mediation month
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The Coalition for Mediation Awareness in Tennessee will present Chief Justice Holder with the second annual Grayfred Gray Public Service Mediation Award at its annual banquet on Oct. 9 at the Lipscomb University Institute for Conflict Management. Holder will receive the award at 7 p.m. at the Lipscomb Ezell Center in Nashville TN. Other distinguished guests include the Mayor of Nashville and the Tennessee Attorney General. The banquet is open to media.
“Mediation deserves a full month of recognition, said Chief Justice Holder. “Increasing numbers of businesses, family therapists, lawyers and judges have come to know the value of mediation in resolving disputes.”
In the mid-1990s, then Circuit Judge Holder introduced an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) pilot program for a broad spectrum of civil cases in the Shelby County Circuit Court, ranging from medical malpractice and workers’ compensation to divorce cases. Volunteer ADR professionals provided mediation, non-binding arbitration and case evaluation services. As a Supreme Court Justice, Holder was instrumental in the drafting and adoption of the first major revisions to the Court’s mediation rule in 2000.
There are now close to 1,000 mediators listed by the Tennessee Supreme Court to assist the courts in resolving disputes. The Tennessee Commission on Alternative Dispute Resolution reports that between January 1 and April 30, 2008, mediators handled 1,719 cases, with more than 83% of them fully resolved.
“We are excited to be partnering with the Coalition to bring greater awareness of the advantages of mediation to the average citizen,” said Larry Bridgesmith, executive director of the Lipscomb University ICM, which is hosting the banquet. “Whether it is a property dispute, a divorce or a problematic business dealing, mediation is an economical and thoughtful alternative to drawn-out litigation that can be a burden on everyone involved. It is reassuring to know that Tennessee’s Supreme Court understands the benefits of mediation and is working hard to promote use of conflict resolution procedures.”
“More people realize that mediation usually solves problems faster and at a reduced cost, bringing a greater sense of satisfaction to the parties involved,” said Marietta Shipley, Immediate Past President of the Tennessee Association for Professional Mediators (TAPM).
About the Oct. 9, 2008 Banquet Honoring Justice Holder: Members of the public may purchase tickets for $30. Tickets may be ordered on-line at http://icm.lipscomb.edu or by calling Sherrie Guenther at the 615.966.7145 or 800.333.4358, x. 7145.
About the Governor’s Proclamation: A copy of Gov. Bredesen’s proclamation of October as Mediation Month is attached.
About CMAT and the Grayfred Gray Public Service Mediation Award: The Coalition for Mediation Awareness in Tennessee (CMAT) was formed in 2006 to maximize the resources and expertise of various groups who provide alternative dispute resolution services. The Coalition assists the courts and community organizations in providing programs and activities that educate the public and the legal profession about the benefits of mediation and and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.
CMAT holds an annual event in October, when it presents the Grayfred Gray Public Service Mediation Award to a person who has made an innovative and lasting contribution to public service through alternative dispute resolution in Tennessee. The award is named after its first recipient, Grayfred Gray, Emeritus Professor, University of Tennessee School of Law, and founder of UT’s outstanding Mediation Clinic.
About the ICM at Lipscomb University: Lipscomb University’s Institute for Conflict Management (ICM) provides academic and business specific resources to equip students, organizations and professionals with skills to minimize the costs of unresolved conflict. Growing out of the internationally recognized dispute resolution work of Professor Randy Lowry, Lipscomb University President, the ICM provides degrees, certificates, seminars and research dedicated to the advancement of conflict management disciplines.
About TAPM: The Tennessee Association for Professional Mediators (TAPM) is a member of the Coalition for Mediation Awareness in Tennessee. For more information about TAPM see its website at www.tennmediators.org or contact its Executive Director, Lisa Smith, at 615-383-8276.