UC Law San Francisco (Formerly UC Hastings)

ADR Speaker Series - Pedagogies in the Meantime: Reflections on ADR and Restorative Justice in U.S. and Canadian Legal Education
2025-10-29 12:30 - 13:30 (America/Los_Angeles) | Zoom, San Francisco, CA, United States
FALL 2025 ADR SPEAKER SERIES
Pedagogies in the Meantime: Reflections on ADR and Restorative Justice in U.S. and Canadian Legal Education

Wednesday, October 29, 2025
12:30 – 1:30 P.M. PST
Via Zoom

RSVP here

Amy Cohen, Robert J. Reinstein Chair in Law, Temple University Beasley School of Law

Daniel Del Gobbo, Assistant Professor & Chair in Law, Gender, and Sexual Justice, University of Windsor Faculty of Law

Amy Cohen is the inaugural holder of the Robert J. Reinstein Chair in law at Temple University Beasley School of Law. Amy’s research focuses on two areas of sociolegal scholarship—informal justice, including among people building alternatives to the criminal legal system, and law and economic development, including the law and political economy of agriculture and food. Before joining Temple, she was the John C. Elam/Vorys Sater Professor of Law at The Ohio State University and Professor of Law at UNSW Sydney, where she remains an honorary professor. Amy has taught a range of classes including property law, family law, mediation, negotiation, international dispute resolution, law and development, food law, and experimentalist legal theory. She has held visiting professorships at Harvard Law School, Osgoode Hall Law School, the University of Turin Faculty of Law, and the West Bengal National University of Juridical Sciences. She has also held fellowships from the Radcliffe Institute for Advanced Study at Harvard University, the American Institute of Indian Studies at the University of Chicago, the Fulbright Program, and the Collegio Carlo Alberto. She used several of these fellowships to develop a multi-year project on smallholder farmers and economic justice in India.

Daniel Del Gobbo (daniel.delgobbo@uwindsor.ca) is an Assistant Professor and Chair in Law, Gender & Sexual Justice at the University of Windsor Faculty of Law. Daniel’s research and teaching fall at the intersections of civil procedure and dispute resolution, restorative justice, human rights and equality, legal ethics, and gender and sexuality. He has published widely in peer-reviewed journals and edited collections, including the Osgoode Hall Law Journal, UBC Law Review, Canadian Bar Review, Journal of Law and Equality, Dalhousie Law Journal, Cardozo Journal of Conflict Resolution, and the Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution. His book, Feminist Frontlines: Campus Sexual Violence and Conflict Resolution, is under contract with the University of Toronto Press. Before coming to Windsor, Daniel was a Banting Postdoctoral Fellow at the McGill University Faculty of Law. He earned his J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School in 2011, LL.M. from Harvard Law School in 2015, and S.J.D. from the University of Toronto Faculty of Law in 2021.

How to Choose Speakers for Panels at Conferences, Symposia, and Speaker Series
2025-11-12 08:00 - 17:00 | Zoom, San Francisco, CA, United States

Reflective Mediation Practice Group
2026-01-14 17:00 - 19:00 | 198 McAllister St., 198 McAllister St., San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
Announcing the Launch of a Pilot Reflective Mediation Practice Group at UC Law San Francisco

Bring your mediation practice to the next level by participating in a reflective practice group!

Reflective practice groups are among the most effective ongoing learning experiences available to mediators. Under the guidance of an experienced mediator and facilitator, a small group of mediators meets regularly to take turns reflecting on their individual mediation cases. The group supports the mediator presenting a case to discover what mediator interventions worked best and what mediator behaviors created challenges. This collaborative exploration enhances awareness of the dynamics at play and increases the potential of learning from each mediation experience. Participants will be expected to anonymize all case identifying information so as to ensure strict confidentiality.

Beginning in January 2026, the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) at UC Law San Francisco will offer a 6-session monthly practice group led by experienced mediator and mediation trainer Howard Herman. Currently a mediator at JAMS, Howard pioneered the use of practice groups for mediators at the U.S. District Court in San Francisco where he led the court’s ADR Program for 23 years, and where many mediators participated continuously in groups he led for over 15 years. Howard also has led practice groups for mediators in India and Brazil. Howard’s fuller biography can be found at jamsadr.com/herman.

Group Structure and Approach
The group will meet in person. It will be limited to 10 participants and is open to all practicing mediators. Generally, each session will be focused on mediator presentations of cases in which they have been involved. Rather than starting with a topic, discussion flows from what actually happened and the choices the mediator made throughout the process.

Key to a successful group is the creation of a safe and confidential environment of mutual support and respect, making stable membership and small group size important. Participants commit to in-person attendance at all six two-hour sessions, and to write up and present at least one case for discussion during the six-month period.

MCLE: 12 hours general credit for the series, including 1 hour of elimination of bias credit (excludes implicit bias/bias reducing strategies), 1 hour of competence credit (excludes prevention and detection), and 1 hour of ethics credit

2026 Dates: January 14, February 11, March 11, April 8, May 13, June 10
Time: 5:00 to 7:00 pm
Location: 198 McAllister Street, Room 206, UC Law San Francisco
Cost: $595 for the full series

If you are interested in joining the group, please complete this application.
Applications will be taken on a rolling basis until the group is full.

Fundamentals of Mediation
2026-03-02 08:30 - 2026-03-06 18:00 | 198-213
A 40-hour basic mediation training program, including certificate of completion and optional MCLE credit.
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) presents its’ annual 40-hour comprehensive mediation practitioner training. This program provides a unique blend of mediation theory, hands-on mediation skills training, and an exploration of the sensibilities and personal qualities required to be an effective mediator.
This in-person program is useful for a range of professionals who deal with people in conflict, and any attorney who represents clients in mediation, to understand the process and to be more effective in representing clients in mediation. We also encourage participation of international attorneys, notaries and Hastings LL.M. students. No prior training or experience required.

In this highly interactive and dynamic training, participants from around the world learn the theory and practice of mediation. The methodology consists of a mixture of discussion, skill building exercises and role play. All participants will have the opportunity to practice multiple times in the client, advocate and mediator roles and will receive personalized feedback and coaching from professional mediators.
We start with the psychology and behavior of people in conflict and the different process choices parties can make when seeking to resolve conflict. We examine the different styles or models of mediation and the implications of those models for the client experience. We then explore and practice every phase of a mediation, from opening and setting the stage, to exploration of interests and issues, negotiating agreements, preparation of settlement documents and closure.

Combined with the practice of these phases, participants build critical communication and process management skills including how to:

Maintain neutrality
Balance power
Select appropriate influencing strategies
Decide whether, when and how to use private sessions (“caucus”)
Facilitate the “money dance”
Conduct a methodical alternatives analysis
Employ techniques for overcoming impasse
Convey “difficult” messages
Use active listening
Ask questions to move the clients in helpful directions
Handle difficult behavior and “reframe” problematic statements

Finally, we cover mediator ethics, process confidentiality, working with representatives and co-mediation.

What participants have to say:
“Fantastic! So happy I chose this program, it blew away my expectations. The role playing was especially valuable to measure progress and enforce the teaching.” – BT 2022

“I quit my job as a teacher to work in the Office of Civil Rights doing in-house dispute resolution and mediation. I could not have gotten this position without taking CNDR’s Fundamentals of Mediation Training, and I am so grateful for all of the skills I gained. I re-read Prof. Ford’s Peace at Work and feel even more prepared to take on this next challenge.” – BL, 2024

Format
All 40 hours will take place in-person during a live class, including small group role plays with individualized coaching. Each day includes 1.5 hours of total breaks.
Dates
Monday, March 2 – Friday, March 6, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day (PST)
Location
UC Law SF, 198 McAllister, San Francisco, CA 94102 (in-person training only)
MCLE
40 hours of California MCLE credits available, including 1.5 hrs Elimination of Bias and 2 hrs Legal Ethics. Be sure to select the “add on” for MCLE credit at checkout. MCLE Provider #9545.
Registration

Standard Registration Fee – $2,295
Alumni, Government, and Nonprofit Rate – $2,095

REGISTER HERE

Registration closes one week prior to the training, or when enrollments have reached maximum capacity, whichever comes first.
Another training will be offered August 31 – September 4, 2026. See more information here.
Questions to CNDR@uclawsf.edu.

Instructor

Adjunct Professor John Ford, BA LLB (UCT) is an experienced workplace mediator and soft-skills trainer. John studied law at the University of Cape Town before moving to Namibia, where he practiced from 1988 to 1995. Initially, he focused on representing survivors of human-rights abuses. After Namibian independence in 1990, his focus shifted to labor and employment law. John moved to California in 1996 and trained as a mediator. He has since successfully mediated hundreds of workplace disputes, and has worked with numerous teams to help them deal successfully with conflict.
John has provided training to thousands of employees at all levels in the workplace, across a wide range of industries. His workshops focus on the development of soft skills, such as communication, negotiation, facilitation, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, customer service and mediation. He is a past president of the Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California (ADRNC), and was the managing editor of www.mediate.com from 2000 to 2011.

Cancellation Policy
For all CNDR events, cancellations on or before 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee of 7% of ticket price. Cancellations after 30 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations on or after 5 days prior to the event will not receive a refund.
ADA Accommodations Statement
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is committed to making its facilities and events accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need reasonable accommodations, please contact CNDR at 415-581-8941 or CNDR@uclawsf.edu, or the Disability Access Hotline at 415-581-4848 or DAH@uclawsf.edu at least two weeks before the event.
Use of Materials Notice
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) hereby irrevocably grants registrants/participants a limited, nonexclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free right and license to use materials provided and distributed by CNDR and/or UC Law SF in the course of the training herein for purposes of participation and personal/internal, non-commercial reference purposes.
Code of Conduct
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) is dedicated to ensuring that its events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental ability, color, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status or partnership status, pregnancy or lactation status, religion or creed, status as a veteran or active military service member or any other basis protected by U.S. federal, state, or local laws.
When participating in or attending a CNDR event, the following behaviors are expected:

Be present, timely, open-minded, and participate actively.
Act with respect and dignity towards everyone you encounter, including participants, staff, instructors, and coaches.
Be considerate and collegial in your speech and actions, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
To support a participatory learning environment for everyone, be mindful of how much time you use (e.g. in discussions or Q&A sessions).
Behave in accordance with professional standards (such as your employer’s policies, or applicable law).
Alert on-premises security personnel and staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone clearly in distress, or call 911 in case of an emergency.

Harassment, bullying, non-consensual physical contact, threats, microaggressions, intimidation, and/or insinuations that are hurtful or interfere with any other attendee’s experience or participation are examples of behaviors which are unacceptable and could be cause for removal from a CNDR event.

Fundamentals of Mediation
2026-08-31 08:30 - 2026-09-04 18:00 | Deb Colloquium Room, 333 Golden Gate, San Francisco, CA, United States
A 40-hour basic mediation training program, including certificate of completion and optional MCLE credit.
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) presents its’ annual 40-hour comprehensive mediation practitioner training. This program provides a unique blend of mediation theory, hands-on mediation skills training, and an exploration of the sensibilities and personal qualities required to be an effective mediator.
This in-person program is useful for a range of professionals who deal with people in conflict, and any attorney who represents clients in mediation, to understand the process and to be more effective in representing clients in mediation. We also encourage participation of international attorneys, notaries and Hastings LL.M. students. No prior training or experience required.

In this highly interactive and dynamic training, participants from around the world learn the theory and practice of mediation. The methodology consists of a mixture of discussion, skill building exercises and role play. All participants will have the opportunity to practice multiple times in the client, advocate and mediator roles and will receive personalized feedback and coaching from professional mediators.
We start with the psychology and behavior of people in conflict and the different process choices parties can make when seeking to resolve conflict. We examine the different styles or models of mediation and the implications of those models for the client experience. We then explore and practice every phase of a mediation, from opening and setting the stage, to exploration of interests and issues, negotiating agreements, preparation of settlement documents and closure.

Combined with the practice of these phases, participants build critical communication and process management skills including how to:

Maintain neutrality
Balance power
Select appropriate influencing strategies
Decide whether, when and how to use private sessions (“caucus”)
Facilitate the “money dance”
Conduct a methodical alternatives analysis
Employ techniques for overcoming impasse
Convey “difficult” messages
Use active listening
Ask questions to move the clients in helpful directions
Handle difficult behavior and “reframe” problematic statements

Finally, we cover mediator ethics, process confidentiality, working with representatives and co-mediation.

What participants have to say:
“Fantastic! So happy I chose this program, it blew away my expectations. The role playing was especially valuable to measure progress and enforce the teaching.” – BT 2022

“I quit my job as a teacher to work in the Office of Civil Rights doing in-house dispute resolution and mediation. I could not have gotten this position without taking CNDR’s Fundamentals of Mediation Training, and I am so grateful for all of the skills I gained. I re-read Prof. Ford’s Peace at Work and feel even more prepared to take on this next challenge.” – BL, 2024

Format
All 40 hours will take place in-person during a live class, including small group role plays with individualized coaching. Each day includes 1.5 hours of total breaks.
Dates
Monday, August 31 – Friday, September 4, 2026 from 8:30 a.m. – 6:00 p.m. each day (PST)
Location
UC Law SF, 198 McAllister, San Francisco, CA 94102 (in-person training only)
MCLE
40 hours of California MCLE credits available, including 1.5 hrs Elimination of Bias and 2 hrs Legal Ethics. Be sure to select the “add on” for MCLE credit at checkout. MCLE Provider #9545.
Registration

Standard Registration Fee – $2,295
Alumni, Government, and Nonprofit Rate – $2,095

REGISTER HERE

Registration closes one week prior to the training, or when enrollments have reached maximum capacity, whichever comes first. Space is limited; register early.
Another training is scheduled for March 2-6, 2026. See more information here.
Questions to CNDR@uclawsf.edu.

Instructor

Adjunct Professor John Ford, BA LLB (UCT) is an experienced workplace mediator and soft-skills trainer. John studied law at the University of Cape Town before moving to Namibia, where he practiced from 1988 to 1995. Initially, he focused on representing survivors of human-rights abuses. After Namibian independence in 1990, his focus shifted to labor and employment law. John moved to California in 1996 and trained as a mediator. He has since successfully mediated hundreds of workplace disputes, and has worked with numerous teams to help them deal successfully with conflict.

John has provided training to thousands of employees at all levels in the workplace, across a wide range of industries. His workshops focus on the development of soft skills, such as communication, negotiation, facilitation, conflict resolution, emotional intelligence, customer service and mediation. He is a past president of the Association for Dispute Resolution of Northern California (ADRNC), and was the managing editor of www.mediate.com from 2000 to 2011.

Cancellation Policy
For all CNDR events, cancellations on or before 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund, minus an administrative fee of 7% of ticket price. Cancellations after 30 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations on or after 5 days prior to the event will not receive a refund.
ADA Accommodations Statement
The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is committed to making its facilities and events accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need reasonable accommodations, please contact CNDR at 415-581-8941 or CNDR@uclawsf.edu, or the Disability Access Hotline at 415-581-4848 or DAH@uclawsf.edu at least two weeks before the event.
Use of Materials Notice
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) hereby irrevocably grants registrants/participants a limited, nonexclusive, non-transferable, royalty-free right and license to use materials provided and distributed by CNDR and/or UC Law SF in the course of the training herein for purposes of participation and personal/internal, non-commercial reference purposes.
Code of Conduct
The UC Law SF Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) is dedicated to ensuring that its events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, alienage or citizenship status, physical or mental ability, color, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status or partnership status, pregnancy or lactation status, religion or creed, status as a veteran or active military service member or any other basis protected by U.S. federal, state, or local laws.
When participating in or attending a CNDR event, the following behaviors are expected:

Be present, timely, open-minded, and participate actively.
Act with respect and dignity towards everyone you encounter, including participants, staff, instructors, and coaches.
Be considerate and collegial in your speech and actions, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
To support a participatory learning environment for everyone, be mindful of how much time you use (e.g. in discussions or Q&A sessions).
Behave in accordance with professional standards (such as your employer’s policies, or applicable law).
Alert on-premises security personnel and staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone clearly in distress, or call 911 in case of an emergency.

Harassment, bullying, non-consensual physical contact, threats, microaggressions, intimidation, and/or insinuations that are hurtful or interfere with any other attendee’s experience or participation are examples of behaviors which are unacceptable and could be cause for removal from a CNDR event.

International Mediation and Leadership Development Institute (IMDLI)
2026-09-07 08:00 - 2026-09-11 17:00 | 333 Deb Colloquium and Sky Deck, 5th Floor Cotchett Law Center, 333 Golden Gate Avenue, San Francisco, CA, 94102, United States
The UC Law San Francisco Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR), at the University of California College of Law, San Francisco, in partnership with the JAMS Foundation, is proud to present the International Mediation Development & Leadership Institute (IMDLI). IMDLI is intended for a diverse group of professionals—lawyers, judges, court administrators, academics, mediators, and others—interested in learning how to cultivate robust mediation ecosystems in their home countries and how to become an effective leader of mediation implementation and development. Top-level U.S. and international experts drawn from the court system, private ADR institutions, and universities will share best practices and lessons learned from decades of ADR reform experience—information that is rarely available to the public. Anticipated topics covered:

How mediation can promote access to justice and help reduce court backlogs
How to design and operate mediation centers (public/court annexed and private)
How to build capacity and ensure that such centers are sustainable into the future
How to draft mediation legislation and rules
The advantages and disadvantages of voluntary, mandatory, and judicial referral models
How to convince mediation skeptics and secure their buy-in
The social, political, economic, and legal ingredients and interventions necessary for a mediation center to thrive and for an ADR ecosystem or culture to take root
The importance of data collection and analysis
What empirical research on ADR tells us about the who, what, where, when, and how of mediation, including what works and what does not
Factors that have helped drive the success of mediation in the U.S. and other key jurisdictions

More information here.
Register Now
