Random Thoughts

I am very excited that Vanderbilt University in Nashville is working with the Mediation Group in Tennessee to try to bring a collaborative law training to us in late August. Information about the training is on my facebook page and I am hopeful we will have the brochure available to send out via email soon.

I have also been working with a group of women in Jackson, TN to create a Community Mediation Center. We are looking at funding streams that include grants or contracts, sliding fee scale and mediator training. It seems to me that it might actually work particularly if we can find space at a local church to use.

Finally, there is a bit of chatter going on involving civil legal services providers and the use of ADR. I don't know why but there seems to be a strong, pervasive perception that litigation is the best means to justice. I very much disagree and believe that ADR is more empowering to people than any litigation might be. It does bother me, though, the perception. I suspect it is more prevalent than not.