MBA / FEATURE
An Update on the
Center for Mediation and Arbitration
W
hen the Bar Association’s Center for Mediation and Arbitration (CMA) first opened its doors for business last February, it was uncertain how successful the program might be in reducing the growing backlog of cases waiting to be tried in Montgomery County’s courts. After all, the MBA’s original ADR program, the Davenport Dispute Resolution Center, had a nice run at resolving cases in the early part of the century, but the ADR Committee realized some significant changes would need to take place if they were going to effectively respond to increased demand on our courts. Moreover, a shift in the way in which the old program was administered and positioned would need to take place in order to promote the program effectively to insurance companies, lawyers and members of the public with civil matters pending. So with a few challenges ahead and the MBA staff to support them, the ADR Committee concentrated their efforts on streamlining operations and
procedures, retooling, and rebranding the program to better meet the needs of prospective clients. And it seems to be working. Over a 10-month period last year from February through November, the MBA’s Center for Mediation and Arbitration heard over 60 cases from major insurance companies like Allstate and State Farm. 63% of these cases have already been settled via mediation or arbitration with several more presently pending. According to ADR Committee Chair Robert F. Morris, the CMA is attractive to insurance companies, because it’s a low-cost service for the resolution of matters that have been or could be filed in civil court. Ultimately, the goal of the program is to reduce the burden placed on our courts, while providing clients an opportunity for an expeditious resolution of disputes outside the courtroom. In some cases, a stack full of cases can be handled in a single day. Mr. Morris also points to the fact there’s very little overhead, because the Bar Association provides the brick and
SIDEBAR
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SPRING 2014
mortar, marketing and tech support, staff and meeting facilities. Services of course are provided at significantly reduced rates through an expert panel of ADR specialists, all of whom have been selected by the ADR Committee for their experience in mediation and arbitration of civil matters in Montgomery and surrounding Counties. The Center for Mediation and Arbitration continues to receive favorable reviews from clients and will plan to make its first major outbound marketing blitz later this year. Building on the success of its first year, the Center hopes to have several new mediations scheduled in the near future. Members of our bench are no doubt looking forward to seeing more cases disappear from the court’s back log. To learn more about the Center for Mediation and Arbitration and its wallet-friendly expert resolution services, please visit www. montgomerbar.org/adr/home.htm or call 610.279.9660, Ext. 208.