NYSDRA's Annual Conference

About The Annual Conference

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association's Annual Conference is NYSDRA’s signature statewide event and a cornerstone gathering for the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) community. Each year, the conference brings together a diverse and dynamic group of ADR professionals, including NYSDRA and Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) leadership, staff, volunteers, board members, independent practitioners, members of other ADR organizations, and leaders from the New York State Unified Court System.


The conference attracts nationally and regionally recognized content experts, policymakers, educators, and key partners from across the ADR spectrum. Through engaging plenary sessions, interactive workshops, and panel discussions, participants explore emerging trends, best practices, and innovative approaches in mediation, arbitration, restorative practices, conflict coaching, and related fields.


At its core, the Annual Conference is designed to foster learning, professional growth, and meaningful connection. Attendees have opportunities to expand their skills, exchange ideas, and build relationships with colleagues who share a commitment to advancing the field of dispute resolution. The event also serves as a vital convening space for those working to promote access to justice, connecting courts, community-based programs, and practitioners with the individuals and organizations trained and prepared to deliver high-quality, equitable dispute resolution services.


By bringing together voices from across systems and communities, the NYSDRA Annual Conference strengthens collaboration, supports practitioners at all stages of their careers, and helps shape the future of dispute resolution in New York State.

Past Annual Conferences

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA) proudly marked its 40th anniversary with a milestone legacy conference that brought together professionals, practitioners, and changemakers from across New York State. The event was a powerful celebration of four decades of advancing equitable, accessible, and innovative dispute resolution practices.


Throughout the conference, attendees reflected on NYSDRA’s remarkable journey and the evolution of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) across the state. Together, we looked back to learn from the past, celebrated the partnerships and community impact that have defined our work, and explored new ways to advance justice for all New Yorkers.


This year's theme, "Reflect, Celebrate, Advance", allows us to reflect on the past, celebrate NYSDRA's legacy and discuss ways in which we can advance by innovating ADR for a more equitable future.


The Legacy Conference took place over two days, September 25 & 26, 2025. The first day of the conference was a virtual celebration, bringing together ADR practitioners, mediators, arbitrators and CDRC staff to discuss the past, present and future of ADR. The first day of the conference was highlighted by two keynote speakers, Dr. Sukhsimranjit Singh who discussed the concept of reflection on a global scale and Robert A. Baruch Bush, J.D., who presented the moral dimensions of mediation as taught to him by his friend and mentor, Len Riskin. 


Day two of the conference took place at The Desmond Hotel in Albany, NY and was highlighted by keynote speaker Daniel Kos, Statewide ADR Coordinator at the New York State Unified Court System's Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Dan presented a statewide perspective on where we've been, where we're heading, and how we can continue to build the field of court-based conflict resolution. 


The Legacy Conference concluded with a 40th anniversary dinner and presentation of the Lawrence H. Cooke Peace Innovator Award to 2025 recipient John S. Kiernan, Esq.

2025 Conference Program

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association’s (NYSDRA) 2024 Annual Conference, themed Embracing the Diversity of Dispute Resolution: From Conflict to Cohesion, brought together practitioners from across the state on September 23 and 24, 2024. The conference highlighted the importance of embracing diverse philosophies and approaches within dispute resolution to foster a more unified, collaborative, and effective practice.


NYSDRA’s signature annual event served as a clarion call for both current and aspiring ADR practitioners to convene with peers, experts, and leaders in the field. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and relationship-building that strengthened a more inclusive and resilient dispute resolution community.


The conference featured content experts and key partners from across the ADR spectrum, with a strong focus on learning, networking, and the exchange of ideas and innovations to advance the field. Sessions supported practitioners at all stages of their careers and helped connect those seeking and promoting access to justice with individuals and organizations prepared to deliver high-quality dispute resolution services.


The conference was anchored by two distinguished keynote presentations. Day One featured John Lande, J.D., Ph.D., Isidor Loeb Professor Emeritus at the University of Missouri School of Law, who shared insights drawn from his extensive scholarship and leadership in dispute resolution. 


On Day Two, attendees heard from Lisa Courtney, Esq., Director of the Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution at the New York State Office of Court Administration, who addressed the evolving role of ADR within the court system and its impact on access to justice.


Key topics explored throughout the conference included Community Responsive Court Programs, Dispute Resolution in a Politically Charged Climate, Conflict Resolution in a Post-Pandemic World, The Power of Peaceful Disruption, and more. Over two days, participants engaged in dynamic presentations, thought-provoking discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to deepen knowledge, enhance skills, and inspire continued growth in the field of conflict resolution.

2024 Conference Program

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association's (NYSDRA) Annual Conference for 2023 themed Join The Resolution!, brought together practitioners from across the state on October 25-26, 2023. The conference emphasized collective engagement and collaboration within the dispute resolution community, inspiring participants to actively contribute to a stronger, more connected field.


NYSDRA’s signature annual event served as a clarion call for both current and aspiring ADR practitioners to convene with peers, experts, and leaders in the field. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and relationship-building that strengthened a more inclusive and resilient dispute resolution community.


The conference featured content experts and key partners from across the ADR spectrum, with a strong focus on learning, networking, and the exchange of ideas and innovations to advance the field. Sessions supported practitioners at all stages of their careers and helped connect those seeking and promoting access to justice with individuals and organizations prepared to deliver high-quality dispute resolution services.


The conference was anchored by two distinguished keynote presentations. Day One featured Kenneth Cloke, Founder and First President of Mediators Beyond Borders International, who shared his global perspective on conflict resolution and the transformative power of dialogue. 


On Day Two, attendees heard from Robert A. Baruch Bush, Co-Founder and Board Member of the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation, who explored core principles of conflict transformation and their application across diverse dispute resolution contexts.


Key topics explored throughout the conference included Financial Fluency: Understanding the Balance Sheet and Profit & Loss Reports, Addressing Burnout & Improving Wellbeing, and Understanding Gender-Based Violence for Mediators. Over two days, participants engaged in dynamic presentations, thought-provoking discussions, workshops, and interactive sessions designed to deepen knowledge, enhance skills, and inspire continued growth in the field of conflict resolution.

2023 Conference Program

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association's (NYSDRA) Annual Conference themed Rooted in Resolution: 40 Years of CDRCs brought together practitioners from across the state on November 9–10, 2021. The conference emphasized collective engagement and collaboration within the dispute resolution community, celebrating four decades of Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) and inspiring participants to continue building a strong, connected field.


NYSDRA’s signature annual event served as a clarion call for both current and aspiring ADR practitioners to convene with peers, experts, and leaders in the field. Participants engaged in meaningful dialogue and relationship-building that strengthened a more inclusive and resilient dispute resolution community.


The conference featured content experts and key partners from across the ADR spectrum, with a strong focus on learning, networking, and the exchange of ideas and innovations to advance the field. Sessions supported practitioners at all stages of their careers and helped connect those seeking and promoting access to justice with individuals and organizations prepared to deliver high-quality dispute resolution services.


The conference was anchored by a distinguished keynote presentation by Denise Shaw, a New York City-based mediator, arbitrator, and lawyer specializing in high-stakes commercial, estate, family business, and multi-party conflicts. She is also a neutral for U.S. government agencies mediating senior management workplace conflicts. Ms. Shaw shared her insights and expertise on conflict resolution, highlighting strategies for fostering collaboration, understanding, and resilience in diverse dispute resolution contexts.


Key topics explored throughout the conference included the EEOC’s Mediation Program, collaborative relationships, the role of forgiveness in conflict resolution, cross-cultural negotiation, and self-care for mediators. 

2021 Conference Program

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association's (NYSDRA) Annual Conference themed The Challenge of Change: Creative Conversations for Today brought together practitioners from across the state on November 16–18, 2020. The conference emphasized collective discussions to help us envision the wide scope off ADR’s role in mobilizing our communities towards racial equity and social justice.


The conference featured content experts and key partners from across the ADR spectrum, with a strong focus on learning, networking, and the exchange of ideas and innovations to advance the field. Sessions supported practitioners at all stages of their careers and helped connect those seeking and promoting access to justice with individuals and organizations prepared to deliver high-quality dispute resolution services.


This year's keynote was presented by Soffiyah Elijah, founder and executive director at the Alliance of Families of Justice. Prior to founding AFJ, Ms. Elijah was the Executive Director of the Correctional Association of NY (CANY) where she was the first woman and the first person of color to lead the 170 year old organization. Ms. Elijah has dedicated her life to human rights and social justice, and is a frequent presenter at national and international forums on criminal justice policy and human rights issues.


Key topics explored throughout the conference included transparency in mediation, responding to the pandemic, ADR in the court system, virtual restorative circles and the ethics within empolyment disputes. 

2020 Conference Program