This post is written by Mary Korica, an independent writer, speechwriter and editor with a long-standing interest in dispute resolution. She can be reached through marykorica.com
Guest Speakers: Regina Odofle Thompson, Mediator, Trainer; Natalie Armstrong-Motin, Mediator, Arbitrator, Consultant; Terry O’Brien, Mediator; Cheryl Gaster, Human Rights Lawyer (Retired), Mediator, Trainer and Conflict Management Coach; and Claude Freeman, Mediator and Arbitrator.
From 26-30 August, 2024, the ADR Institute of Ontario (“ADRIO”) held its sixth annual “Aspiring ADR Practitioners Week,” including three live webinars. Regina Odofle Thompson presented “The Influence of Geopolitics on Modern Conflicts: Immigration and Culturally Inclusive Service Provision.” Natalie Armstrong-Motin delivered a session on “Marketing Strategies that Really Work for ADR Practitioners.” Finally, the “Speed Mentoring and Networking” segment included presentations by Terry O’Brien, Cheryl Gaster, and Claude Freeman.
“What would you do if this came up in your mediation practice?” Regina Odofle Thompson amiably challenged the audience of the live webinar “The Influence of Geopolitics on Modern Conflicts: Immigration and Culturally Inclusive Service Provision.” She had just shared provocative examples of culturally-loaded conflicts encountered over her years of experience in private mediation practice, hearing cases at the Ontario Human Rights Commission, and training and consulting internationally. How should one address a culture-based belief in witchcraft as a source of family conflict? Or an individual’s preference for customs of community involvement rather than confidentiality in divorce proceedings?
Thompson drew links between international dynamics of conflict and migration and challenges that can arise for dispute resolution practitioners serving Canada’s richly diverse population. She asked attendees to reconsider notions like ethics and fairness as they are defined in the Canadian justice system and mainstream culture. A longtime advocate and consultant for designing inclusive ADR processes, she said “We need to build fairness into the system and the processes that support the system,” from curricula onwards. Thompson encouraged the audience to take a serious interest in understanding perspectives around the mediation table emanating from different cultural backgrounds and experiences. “You must be aware of what is happening in different parts of the world. We must resolve conflicts with an idea about the cultures of the people we are trying to help.”
Natalie Armstrong-Motin’s presentation “Marketing Strategies that Really Work for ADR Practitioners,” provided an impressively detailed primer on how to successfully develop a dispute resolution practice. It starts with the right mindset, she said. “The key is to think of ourselves first and foremost as businesspeople who happen to specialize in resolution processes.” Following that, there are five essential marketing activities. Writing, said Armstrong-Motin is “one of the best ways you can build your top-of-mind position with clients,” adding that the right way to harness the power of AI in your writing is for a beginning draft, not an end product. Secondly, she said that public speaking “builds credibility and authority while also saving you time” and recommended that you “focus your time and energy on those five to ten people who remain after your talk—they are most likely to hire you.”
Thirdly, offering trainings is an excellent means to promote yourself, especially if you keep in touch with the participants. Next, Armstrong-Motin emphasized that “networking is net‘work’ing.” To get the most out of events, she advised writing out a goal and a strategy beforehand, including a plan to follow up with new contacts. “The key is to keep the conversation going,” she said. Finally, Armstrong-Motin called social media “the strongest support to all of our marketing efforts—it is a phenomenal tool to prove who we are, what we do, and for whom.” But she cautioned to always project a professional, neutral image. “On all social media platforms, save your politics, religion, and opinions for the dinner table.”
During the “Speed Mentoring and Networking” session, Terry O’Brien described his trajectory from insurance adjuster/investigator/negotiator to thriving mediator in private practice. He was inspired by two mediations where the mediators offered imaginative suggestions that led to mutually beneficial outcomes and broadened his view of what was possible. O’Brien began to pursue his career change by getting a dispute resolution certificate. Then, through ADRIO’s mentorship program at the time, he said, “I followed a senior mediator around, which allowed me to see the dynamics on both sides—I really learned a lot.” For those entering the field, he offered, “my best advice is to seek out a mentor. And you don’t need to have just one.” His recommendation was to “find someone who is willing to take you under their wing and help you learn the pitfalls you could run into and how you can advance yourself.”
Cheryl Gaster spoke about how her human rights-centred practice helps parties find and assert their power in a respectful, calm, and dignified way. “Facilitating this is extremely gratifying,” she said. Gaster’s approach gives the parties ample time, encouragement and coaching to “think about, formulate, and articulate their perspectives.” It begins with an extensive pre-mediation process where parties are guided to explore their interests, but they also discuss human rights concepts and receive coaching on effective communication practices. “My mediations rarely take less than several hours,” added Ms. Gaster. She then described how one of her co-mediations achieved transformative change for all parties and for the Ontario education system. Gaster encouraged webinar attendees to “not become complacent in your practice. Try something new at your mediations and don’t stop participating in professional development.”
Claude Freeman described his move from working in ADR within the corporate sector to developing a busy private mediation and arbitration practice focused on employment and construction. He advised aspiring practitioners to have hope at building their own ADR careers despite a competitive market, encouraging them to think of each ADR experience as a “building block.” Freeman recommended being persistent, trusting in your skills, and putting in the hard work to get designations. He echoed O’Brien’s emphasis on the importance of mentors, saying that his own helped him build credibility by having him co-teach courses. “Don’t be afraid to try new things,” he advised new practitioners, cautioning them to be “very careful when you do. Make sure to speak to mentors or contacts in the profession. Get good advice.” With time, these efforts will build the “critical mass” required to have a sustainable practice.
Webinar participants then had the opportunity to speak with O’Brien, Gaster and Freeman in small group settings.
ADRIO’s Aspiring ADR Practitioners Week program this year was rounded out with complimentary professional headshots, a Virtual Open House, and one-on-one consultations with Sue Jensen, ADR’s Member Success Manager.
—
This post is written by Mary Korica, an independent writer, speechwriter and editor with a long-standing interest in dispute resolution. She can be reached through marykorica.com
Reviewed and Edited by the ADRIO Newsletter Blog Committee in collaboration with Staff:
Babara Benoliel (Chair)
Ben Drory
Robyn Jacobson
Kim Parish
Tommy Lam (Staff)
The opinions expressed in the articles featured in this blog are that of the respective writers and do not represent the views of The ADR Institute of Ontario.