Lodestar Mediation Clinic

The Lodestar Mediation Clinic, an integral component of the nationally recognized Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program, helps students learn about alternatives to litigation while gaining practical experience about the mediation process. Student attorneys experience an intensive training program focusing on the theory, strategy and skills involved in the mediation of legal disputes, then act as mediators in civil (non-family) cases.
 
Students develop a broad perspective of the role of law and lawyers in our society, a better understanding of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, and enhanced skilled in communication, negotiation and problem-solving.
 
The Clinic has three mandatory training sessions prior to the start of semester, in addition to required class meetings, and students should expect to spend an average of 4-5 hours per week on out-of-class assignments in the second half of the semester. These assignments primarily are serving as a co-mediator in a local Justice Court, observing professional mediations, or participating in other dispute resolution programs on and off campus.
 
Interested students must submit a one-page statement of intent and meet with Professor Art Hinshaw prior to enrollment, and must pass a background check before mediating in the Justice Court Mediation Program. The Clinic can be taken for 6 credit hours, and independent study through the Clinic is available for those who have already completed the course.   
 

More information about the Lodestar Dispute Resolution Program at the Sandra Day O'Connor College of Law.

 

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9th Circuit ADR in Education Award
In the summer of 2005, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals awarded ASU its inaugural ADR in Education Award. The award, the first of its kind in the nation, was formed to recognize law school contributions to the ADR field. Specifically, ASU was recognized for its well rounded ADR emphasis, as the following press release explains. 

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"The ASU
College of Law is one of only a few law schools in the nation to have an ADR research director in addition to its regular ADR faculty. This represents a firm commitment to furthering the ADR field of study."
-Senior Circuit Judge
Dorothy W. Nelson