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.

Reflect

The two-day legacy conference was highlighted with panels and conversations revisiting NYSDRA’s legacy. The panels also highlighted NYSDRA's prior executive directors, mediators and arbitrators and the pivotal moments that have shaped the ADR landscape in New York State over the last 40 years.

Advance

Looking ahead, the legacy conference inspired a renewed commitment to innovation, equity, and accessibility, ensuring that ADR continues to evolve to meet the needs of all communities across New York State. The conference was also an opportunity to discuss ways in which the ADR field will continue to evolve over the next 40+ years.

John S. Kiernan, Esq.

2025 Lawrence Cook Peace Innovator Award Recipient

Retired Partner, Debevoise & Plimpton, LLP

Co-Chair, NYS Advisory Committee on

Alternative Dispute Resolution

The Lawrence Cooke Peace Innovator Award was created to honor individuals and organizations that have provided innovative leadership in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). This award was named after The Honorable Chief Judge Lawrence H. Cooke, who was influential in promoting the field of alternative dispute resolution in the NYS Court system.

Chief Judge Lawrence H. Cooke was influential in promoting the field of alternative dispute resolution in the NYS Court system. He implemented a plan to clear the backlog by expanding arbitration and establishing mediation in the courts and was instrumental in starting the Community Dispute Resolution Centers program. Judge Cooke was born in Monticello in Sullivan County on October 15, 1914. After graduating from Albany Law School, he was admitted to the Bar in 1939.



He was elected in 1955 as County Judge and Surrogate of Sullivan County and re-elected in 1959. In 1961, he was elected a Justice of the Supreme Court for the Third Judicial District. He was designated to the Appellate Division, Third Department, in 1968 by Gov. Rockefeller and served there until his election to the Court of Appeals in 1974. He was appointed the 20th Chief Judge by Gov. Carey on January 2, 1979. He retired from the Court of Appeals at the end of 1984.