Days to Go
Honoring 40 Years of Advancing Access to Justice Through ADR
Reflect. Celebrate. Advance.
September 25-26, 2025
Day One: Virtual on Zoom Events
Day Two: The Crowne Plaza/Desmond Hotel, Albany NY
Be part of New York’s premier Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) gathering!
Join the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) as we commemorate four decades of impact, leadership, and innovation in ADR across the state. This milestone conference will bring together professionals, practitioners, and changemakers to reflect on the past, celebrate the present, and advance a bold vision for equitable and accessible justice for all New Yorkers.
Reflect: Looking Back to Learn Forward
Celebrate: Honoring Legacy, Partnerships & Community Impact
Advance: Innovating ADR for a More Equitable Future
Meet Our Distinguished 2025 Keynote Speakers
Reflect
Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh
JAMS Mediator, Arbitrator, and Global Thought Leader in Dispute Resolution
Board of Directors, Weinstein
International Foundation
Celebrate
Leonard L. Riskin, J.D., LL.M.
Visiting Professor of Law
Northwestern University
Pritzker School of Law
Advance
Daniel Kos
Statewide ADR Coordinator
New York State Unified Court System
Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution
2025 Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award Recipient
About the Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award
The Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award honors individuals and organizations whose visionary spirit and creative leadership have advanced the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) in New York State. Named for The Honorable Chief Judge Lawrence H. Cooke, a pioneering force in integrating ADR into the state’s justice system, this award recognizes those who, like Judge Cooke, have reimagined how justice can be delivered—through innovation, accessibility, and
community-centered approaches.
Since its inception in 2002, when it was first awarded to Judge Joseph Lauria, the award has celebrated trailblazers who bring fresh thinking to longstanding conflicts and who view ADR not only as a process, but as a tool for empowerment, equity, and peacebuilding. Recipients are often known for launching innovative programs, introducing ADR in new or underserved settings, or leading local efforts that inspire broader change.
Each year at the NYSDRA Annual Conference, we proudly recognize a changemaker whose work reflects the qualities of forward thinking and inclusivity that Judge Cooke championed throughout his remarkable career.
Learn more about Chief Judge Cooke’s legacy.
~ Day One: Virtual Conference Schedule ~
Thursday, September 25, 2025
Virtual Conference Experience
8:45 - 9:00 AM | Conference Opening & Welcome
Setting the stage for our Legacy Conference journey
~ REFLECT ~
9:00 - 10:00 AM | Morning Keynote Address
"The Art of Reflection: Global Wisdom for Local Practice"
Exploring how cross-cultural intelligence enhances reflective listening and transforms conflict resolution across communities.
Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh,
JAMS Mediator and Arbitrator
10:00 - 11:00 AM | Concurrent Sessions
AI & the Future of ADR (CLE)
Alexander Paykin, Esq.
Access for All: Practical Tools for Inclusive Practice
Paula Dischinger Miranda
Mental Health Empowerment Coaching: New Opportunities for Mediators and CDRCs
Dan Berstein
11:15 AM - 12:15 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Voices of Change: A Community Mediation Training Documentary
Gina Tinker Williams
Advanced Mediation Practice
Robyn Weinstein
Session Pending
Kailani Capote
12:15 - 1:00 PM | Lunch & Networking
Connect with colleagues and continue conversations
1:00 - 2:00 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Better Prep, Better Sessions: The Power and Pitfalls of Pre-Session Work
Amber Russell
Champions for ADR in Family Court, Part 1 (CLE)
NYS Unified Court System Partnership Model
Facilitated By: Shira May
Session Pending
Kailani Capote
~ CELEBRATE ~
2:15 - 3:15 PM | Afternoon Keynote Address
"Improving Negotiation and Mediation, Inside Out and Outside In: Internal Family Systems (IFS)" (CTLE)
Leonard L. Riskin, J.D., LLM
3:30 - 4:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions
Seriously, You’re Still Saying “Facilitative” and “Evaluative” Mediation in 2025? AI Can Help.
John Lande
ADR in Guardianship Proceedings: Emerging Practices (CLE)
Marcy Einhorn, Esq. , Sabrina Morrissey, Esq. , Deborah Rosenthal, Esq., and Carolyn Wolf, Esq.
Navigating Mediation Rosters: A Practitioner's Guide (CLE)
Bridget O’Connell, Esq. and
Krysta Hartley
4:30 - 4:45 PM | Closing
Remarks
Reflecting on insights and preparing for tomorrow's advancement
~ Day Two: Hybrid Conference Schedule ~
🎉Sponsorship Opportunities 🎉
We invite you to support our conference this year by becoming a named sponsor. Your support is critical, as it enables us to provide quality educational programming for our members—most of whom are volunteers delivering vital, low-to-no-cost services in their local communities.
Support Peacebuilding by Becoming a Sponsor today!
Click on any sponsorship level below to learn about exclusive benefits and recognition opportunities.
$15,000 – Legacy Partner (View benefits)
$10,000 – Visionary Partner (View benefits)
$5,000 – Leadership Partner (View benefits)
$2,500 – Advocate Partner (View benefits)
$1,000 – Sustaining Sponsor (View benefits)
$500 – Community Supporter (View benefits)
$250 – Friend of NYSDRA (View benefits)
🎉Your Support Makes It All Happen!🎉
Contact us at conference@nysdra.org or (518) 687-2240 for more information on how to Become a Sponsor.
NYSDRA Legacy Conference 2025 Sponsors
🎉Our Sustaining Sponsors🎉
🎉Our Friends and Community Supporters🎉
2025 Honorary Committee Members
Wilma Jozwiak
Bernadette Tracy, Ph.D.
Niki Rowe