ABOUT THE CONFERENCE

 Honoring 40 Years of Advancing Access to Justice Through ADR

Reflect. Celebrate. Advance.
 September 25, 2025 | Hosted Virtually on Zoom Events 

September 26, 2025 | The Desmond Hotel, Albany NY

Join us September 25 & 26 for the New York State Dispute Resolution Association’s (NYSDRA) 2025 Annual Conference, a landmark event celebrating 40 years of leadership and innovation in conflict resolution. 

Day One (September 25) of the two-day event will be a full-day of virtual conference content, packed with interactive workshops, inspiring sessions, and engaging discussions. Highlights include a morning keynote address by Sukhsimranjit Singh, Ph.D. (title forthcoming) and an afternoon keynote by Leonard L. Riskin, J.D., LLM, on “Improving Negotiation and Mediation, Inside Out and Outside In: Internal Family Systems.”

Day Two (September 26) is in-person day of connection and celebration at The Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY. This final day will bring together ADR practitioners, advocates, and stakeholders to explore the evolution and future of conflict resolution in New York State. This day's highlights include a keynote address by Daniel Kos, Statewide ADR Coordinator for the NYS Unified Court System, on "Advancing Justice Through ADR: Field Building Trends, Tools & Transformations." Attendees will learn about innovative partnerships between NYSDRA, the Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs), and the New York State Unified Court System; participate in meaningful networking throughout the day; and join us for a celebration dinner featuring the presentation of the prestigious Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award to a distinguished leader in the field. 

Day 1 - Virtual Conference   

September 25, 2025

Connect from anywhere as we dive into dynamic, interactive sessions designed around timely themes and challenges in the ADR field. The virtual program will offer tracks on emerging tools and timeless practices that center equity, innovation, and community impact.

This dynamic virtual experience will feature keynote addresses, interactive workshops, and panel discussions on timely topics including:

• AI & the Future of ADR
• Restorative Justice in Action
• CDRCs as Models of Community Resilience
• Dispute Resolution & Racial Equity
• Trauma-Informed ADR Practices
• Expanding ADR in Education, Housing & Justice Systems

Through the themes of Reflect, Celebrate, and Advance, we’ll honor four decades of transformative work in community-based dispute resolution and chart a course for a more equitable, inclusive future.

Whether you are a seasoned practitioner or new to the field, this milestone event offers a rich opportunity to engage with diverse perspectives, deepen your skills, and be part of shaping the next era of accessible justice in New York.

Interested in becoming a speaker? See below for more information!

~Conference Schedule~

Day 1 - Thursday, September 25, 2025

8:45 AM – 9:00 AM | Opening Session 
Welcome & Orientation to the Virtual Program

Morning Block: Reflect 

Looking Back to Learn Forward 

9:00 – 10:00 AM | Keynote Address:  Sukhsimranjit Singh, Ph.D.

10:15 – 11:15 AM

(concurrent sessions) 

• AI & the Future of ADR – Alexander Paykin, Esq. (CLE Credit Available) 
• Access for All: Practical Tools to Make Your Work More Inclusive – Paula Dischinger Miranda
• Mental Health Empowerment Coaching: New Opportunities for Mediators and CDRCs - Dan Berstein 

Afternoon Block: Celebrate 
Recognizing Milestones & Moments That Matter 

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | concurrent sessions

• Coming Soon

Lunch and Engagement 12:15-1:00 PM 

1:00 – 2:00 PM | Keynote Address: Leonard L. Riskin, J.D., LLM

Improving Negotiation and Mediation, Inside Out and Outside In: Internal Family Systems (IFS)

Late Afternoon Block: Advance 
Innovating for Equitable Access to Justice 

2:15 – 3:15 PM | Concurrent Sessions 

The Power and Pitfalls of Pre-Session Work – Amber Russell 

Community Resilience Through ADR: The CDRC Model – Courtney Chicvak, Esq.  (CLE Credit available) 

Seriously, You’re Still Saying “Facilitative” and “Evaluative” Mediation in 2025?  AI Can Help. -  John Lande 

3:30 – 4:30 PM | Concurrent Sessions 

ADR in Guardianship Proceedings: What does that look like? – Marcy Einhorn, Esq. ,  Sabrina Morrissey, Esq. ,  Deborah Rosenthal, Esq., and Carolyn Wolf, Esq.  (CLE Credit Available) 

The Ins and Outs of Applying to Mediation Rosters – Bridget O’Connell, Esq. and Krysta Hartley (CLE Credit Available) 

Maintaining a Level Playing Field: Supporting Collaboration in Mediation with Attorneys and Advocates – Bobbie Dillon and Shari Greenleaf  (CTLE) 

4:30-4:45 PM | Closing Session 

Day 2 – In Person (Friday, September 26, 2025 – Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY) 

Morning Program: Reconnect & Celebrate 

9:00 – 10:00 AM | Registration & Networking Breakfast
Location: King Street Walkway BC 

Light refreshments and informal networking with colleagues across sectors 

10:00 AM – 10:05 AM | Welcome & Opening Remarks 

Location: 6 & 8 King Street 

Opening message from NYSDRA to ground the day and reflect on the journey   

10:05 – 11:15 AM | Keynote Address: Daniel Kos, NYS Unified Court System – Division of ADR 
“Advancing Justice Through ADR: Field Building Trends, Tools & Transformations” 
A visionary perspective on the evolution and next phase of ADR in New York 

Location: 6 & 8 King Street 

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM | Panel Discussion to be announced

Location: 6 & 8 King Street 

(Virtual Ticket ends here) 

Afternoon Program: Inspire & Honor 

12:30 – 1:45 PM | Lunch & Networking: Fort Orange Courtyard 
Enjoy lunch while building new partnerships and sharing insights with peers 

2:00 – 3:30 PM | CDRC Spotlight & Recognition

Location: 6 & 8 King Street 
Updates on statewide initiatives and acknowledgment of CDRC staff and volunteers 

3:45 – 5:00 PM | Panel: A Walk Down Memory Lane

Location: 6 & 8 King Street 
Longstanding leaders and founders reflect on NYSDRA’s impact and legacy

5:00 – 5:30 PM | Cocktail Reception

Location: Fort Orange Courtyard

Gather in celebration before the evening’s closing event

5:30 – 7:00 PM | Celebration Dinner & Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award   

Location: Fort Orange Ballroom    
Honoring this year’s award recipient and commemorating 40 years of service 

📣Call for Proposals: Share Your Expertise📣

We Want to Hear from You!

Are you doing innovative work in Alternative Dispute Resolution? Have you developed new approaches, overcome unique challenges, or achieved breakthrough results in your ADR practice? We invite you to share your knowledge and experience with the NYSDRA community.

What We Are Looking For

We welcome proposal submissions on a wide range of ADR topics, including but not limited to:

• Innovative mediation and arbitration techniques
• Technology integration in dispute resolution
• Cultural competency and accessibility in ADR
• Specialized practice areas (family, commercial, employment, etc.)
• Ethics and professional development
• Program administration and quality assurance
• Research findings and case studies
• Cross-sector collaboration and partnerships

Presentation Formats

• Workshop Sessions - Interactive learning experiences
• Panel Discussions - Multiple perspectives on key topics
• Case Study Presentations - Real-world examples and lessons learned

Contact us at conference@nysdra.org or (518) 687-2240 for more information on how to submit a Speaker Proposal Request.

***All speakers receive complimentary conference registration. We especially encourage submissions from diverse voices and emerging professionals in the field.

✨ Registration Information ✨

Multiple attendance options available:

• Virtual Conference Only (Day 1 + Morning of Day 2)
• In-Person Celebration Only (Day 2 + All Meals)
• Full 2-Day Conference Experience
  

NYSDRA Legacy Conference 2025 Sponsors

Friend and Community Supporters