I am privileged to begin my second year as chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the Massachusetts Bar Association. Through the hard work of the MBA’s officers and our immediate past chair, Brian Jerome, the membership of our section has grown exponentially, and we look forward to a lively and exciting year of stimulating programming and professional development. We will be partnering with other MBA sections to co-sponsor programs and panels at the MBA, and we look forward to supporting our colleagues through attendance and contributions to presentations that are scheduled to be offered by the MBA.
In addition to our collaborative programming, the DR Section celebrated Conflict Resolution Week in October with three days of dynamic programming. On Tuesday, Oct. 15, 2019, Judge David G. Sacks led our court-based event at the Brockton Trial Court, where we recognized the Southeastern Massachusetts court-connected dispute resolution programs. On Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2019, the DR Section hosted a panel presentation at the MBA offices on West Street titled “Perspectives: Exploring Prejudice, Cultural Bias and Experience. How They Play a Part in Negotiation, Dispute Resolution and Restorative Justice.” On Thursday, Oct. 17, 2019, we hosted Conflict Resolution Day, which began with the reading of Gov. Charlie Baker’s proclamation and included the awarding of the annual Frank Sander Award to Christine Yurgelun, Esq. Douglas Reynolds, Esq. offered a keynote address on restorative justice that evening to an enthusiastic audience.
Moving forward, we will work to support MBA President John J. Morrissey’s focus on wellness. We recognize that the daily work of neutrals takes a toll; as mediators and facilitators, we encounter litigants who are reliving some of the worst moments of their lives as they cycle through the litigation process. This year, we will explore strategies that neutrals can tap into to develop deeper awareness and balance in their practice. We hope that you will join us at our monthly meetings and at our programs that will be advertised throughout the year.
Sarah E. Worley is the chair of the MBA’s Dispute Resolution Section. She is a full-time mediator/arbitrator and the owner of Sarah E. Worley Conflict Resolution PC in Boston.