Navigating Mediation Rosters: A Practitioner’s Guide

This session provides an in depth, practical overview of mediation rosters within the New York State Unified Court System, designed for practitioners seeking to understand how roster membership works, how neutrals are selected, and what standards guide this process. Presenters will begin with updates from the Division of ADR, followed by a clear explanation of the structure and purpose of Rosters of Neutrals, including qualification requirements under Part 146, application review considerations, ongoing training mandates, and the role of ADR Coordinators. The session concludes with open Q&A to address participant questions and real world challenges.

Attendees, including emerging mediators, will be able to:

• Clarify how NYS court mediation rosters function and how neutrals are selected.
• Explain training, experience, and continuing education requirements for roster neutrals.
• Provide transparency around application review, local program needs, and coordinator roles.
• Strengthen practitioner understanding of statewide ADR resources and processes.
  

About Bridget O’Connell

Bridget M. O’Connell, Esq. works as a Court Attorney Referee and Alternative Dispute Resolution Coordinator for the New York State Courts’ 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th Judicial Districts and the Court of Claims through the Office of Court Administration’s Division of ADR.

Bridget graduated from John Carroll University and attended the State University at Buffalo Schools of Law and Social work where she acquired a Juris Doctor and master’s degree in social work.

Her path has included private practice, work with the local Community Dispute Resolution Center, teaching at UB Law and SUNY Buffalo and serving as Principal Law Clerk to the Hon. John F. O’Donnell, J.S.C. All of this has given her a deep appreciation for the many things to do with a law degree and the diversity of

interests, needs and people that make up the legal community and the communities impacted by our work.

Bridget is committed to organizations that promote the equal administration of justice and foster attorney well-being and professional development. She is a Past President of both the Bar Association of Erie County and the Western New York Chapter of the Women’s Bar Association of the State of New York and has served on their boards and chaired ADR and matrimonial and family law related committees for each organization. She served on the NYSBA House of Delegates and has been a member of the Women Lawyers of Western New York, the Minority Bar Association of Western New York, and the Onondaga County Bar Association. Recently, Bridget joined the board of the Charles S. Desmond Inn of Court.

Bridget has most recently been recognized for her work with the Lamplighter Award from the 8th Judicial District’s Committee on Gender and Racial Fairness, the Woman Lawyer of the Year Award from the Women Lawyers of WNY and the Volunteer Lawyers Project VIP Award for her work on the Pro Se Civil Litigation Practicum at UB Law. She is a past recipient of the M. Dolores Denman Lady Justice Award from the WNY Chapter of WBASNY.

Bridget is a proud, lifelong Buffalonian.

About  Krysta Hartley

Krysta Hartley is Assistant Deputy Counsel for the New York State Unified Court System’s Division of ADR in the Office of Court Administration. She consults on training, data collection and reporting and statewide ADR protocols and practices. Hartley has also worked in civil and family courts as a law clerk handling legal issues raised in complex civil term motions and mediations and settlement conferences with counsel and pro se litigants in various areas of the law.

She is an adjunct professor at Cardozo School of Law for the ADR Field Clinic and Mediation Clinic, where she previously served as Fellow for the Kukin Program for Conflict Resolution, as well as Editor in Chief of the ADR Competition Honor Society. In addition, Hartley trained as a mediator in both the Mediation and Divorce Mediation Clinics while at Cardozo. She received a B.A. in Political Science from Boston University and J.D. with a Certificate in Dispute Resolution from Cardozo School of Law.