NYSDRA Legacy Conference 2025
Honoring 40 Years of Advancing Access to Justice Through ADR
DAYS TO GO
ABOUT THE CONFERENCE
Honoring 40 Years of Advancing Access to Justice Through ADR
Reflect. Celebrate. Advance.
September 24–25, 2025 | Hosted Virtually on Zoom Events
September 26, 2025 | The Desmond Hotel, Albany NY
๐ Save the Date: Early Bird Registration Opens July 27th! ๐
Join us September 24-26 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. The three-day event begins with two virtual conference days on September 24 & 25, packed with interactive workshops, inspiring keynotes, and engaging discussions.
Followed by an in-person day of connection and celebration on September 26 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. 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.
Two-Day Virtual Conference
September 24–25, 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're 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!
In-Person & In-Perspective: Honoring 40 Years of Justice Through ADR
The Desmond Hotel, Albany, NY
September 26, 2025
Join us for a meaningful in-person gathering to close out the NYSDRA Conference with connection, inspiration, and celebration. The day will feature opportunities for networking, collaborative dialogue, and reflection on the past, present, and future of dispute resolution in New York State.
We are honored to welcome Daniel Kos, Statewide ADR Coordinator for the NYS Unified Court System’s Division of ADR, as our keynote speaker. Drawing from his two decades of experience in developing court-based and community ADR programs, Daniel will share a statewide perspective on field-building trends, tools, and transformations—highlighting where we've been, where we're headed, and how we can continue advancing justice through ADR. The day will also include recognition of impactful work across the field and will conclude with a special celebration of NYSDRA’s 40th anniversary and an evening award presentation.
Keynote Address
Advancing Justice Through ADR:
๏ปฟField Building Trends, Tools & Transformations
Daniel Kos is the Statewide ADR Coordinator for the New York State Unified Court System's Division of ADR, where he oversees training and data collection units while supporting program development across the state. For over twenty years, he has collaborated with courts, state agencies, local stakeholders, and funders to develop innovative ADR programs in both court-based and community settings.
This keynote address will offer a comprehensive statewide perspective on the evolution of court-based conflict resolution—exploring where we've been, where we're heading, and how we can collectively strengthen and expand the field.
Daniel Kos
Statewide ADR Coordinator
NYS Unified Court System's Division of ADR
๐Sponsorship Opportunities ๐
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.
๐ฃCall for Proposals: Share Your Expertise๐ฃ
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.
๏ปฟโจ Registration Information โจ
Mark Your Calendar: Early Bird Registration Opens July 27th
Multiple attendance options will be available:
- Virtual Conference Only (Days 1 & 2)
- In-Person Celebration Only (Day 3)
- Complete 3-Day Conference Experience
Stay tuned for pricing and registration details!
Detailed agenda, registration, and speaker announcements will be released in the coming weeks.
Questions? Contact our Program Committee at Conference@nysdra.org or 518-687-2240.
Help us create a dynamic, engaging conference that advances the practice of dispute resolution across New York State!