Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Graduate Law Programs
THE STRAUS DIFFERENCE
As a Christian law school, Pepperdine Caruso School of Law believes that, along with the rule of law, the God-imaging principles and practices of reconciliation are what bring an enduring peace and flourishing to a free society (Matt. 5:9; 2 Cor. 5:18). Through the Straus Institute’s leading degree programs—MDR, LLM, and MLS—and its professional trainings, we equip and empower students, lawyers, judges, and leaders across sectors to serve as ministers of reconciliation. This work bears the signature imprint of our mission and conviction."
Paul Caron
Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean Pepperdine Caruso School of Law
Faculty Highlights
STEPHANIE BLONDELL
Stephanie Blondell brought her expertise in mediation ethics, communication, and pedagogy to multiple national platforms this year. She presented “When Good Mediators Make Bad Decisions: Ethical Fading in Mediation” for the State Bar of Michigan, “Communication Strategies in High Conflict Cases” at the SELPA ADR Conference, and “Facilitating Class Discussion on Emotionally Charged Issues,” for the Legal Educators in Dispute Resolution Workshop. Her scholarship also reached practitioners through the US District Court, Central District of California, where she presented “The Question Is the Answer: Asking Questions in Commercial Mediation.” In addition, she shared insights at the Maryland Public Policy Conflict Resolution Fellows Program and with graduate students at the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law. Through this wide range of scholarship and training, Blondell continues to shape best practices for mediators, educators, and practitioners alike.
HELEN WINTER
Helen Winter advanced scholarship and practice in conflict resolution with a wide range of publications and presentations. She was recognized by the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation for her global contributions, and her pioneering work on ADR and social entrepreneurship was featured in the St. Louis University Law Journal. She delivered talks on civility in conflict at the JAMS Institute, the interplay of emotions in mediation at the International Mediation Competition in Brazil, and on innovative pedagogy at Harvard Law School and the Hague University. Her forthcoming article in AI and Ethics explores the impact of artificial intelligence on self-efficacy in professional practice. Together, these contributions reflect her commitment to redefining legal education and expanding ADR’s role in addressing complex societal challenges.
JACK COE, JR., AND TREY CHILDRESS
Jack Coe, Jr., and Trey Childress contributed jointly to advancing international arbitration scholarship. Their coauthored article, “Complying in the Shadow of the Award,” was published in the Yale Journal of International Law, where they examined the evolving complexities of compliance in arbitration outcomes. Together, their work reinforces Straus’ reputation for academic excellence in cross-border dispute resolution and international law. Coe and Childress are also serving the institute by serving as acting co-managing directors during the search for the next generation of leadership.
THOMAS STIPANOWICH
Thomas Stipanowich, William H. Webster Chair in Dispute Resolution, continues to play a pivotal role in national and international conversations on the future of dispute resolution. In May 2025 he served as a featured commentator at Vanderbilt University School of Law’s Summer Workshop on Evidence, offering insights on Zhuhao Wang’s paper, “The Shadow of the Rules of Evidence in ADR.” In June 2025 Stipanowich moderated the culminating panel at the College of Commercial Arbitrators’ (CCA) Summit II in Washington, DC. This landmark event marked the centennial of the Federal Arbitration Act and the 15th anniversary of the CCA Protocols. Stipanowich moderated the panel of leading arbitrators, jurists, and practitioners, which focused on lessons learned and the path forward for arbitration in the era of generative AI and evolving jurisprudence.
COLLEEN GRAFFY
Colleen Graffy contributed to global conversations on international negotiation and diplomacy. She was interviewed on Times Radio (UK) about negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, underscoring her expertise at the intersection of foreign policy and dispute resolution. Her commentary reflects Straus’ global reach and impact in shaping dialogue around critical world conflicts.
Institutional and Faculty Collaborations
Adjunct faculty member Shaphan Roberts (MBA '16, PKE 136), advanced dialogue on belonging, peacebuilding, and community conflict management. Sarah Park, associate director of the Straus Institute, brought Straus’ negotiation expertise abroad through workshops in Vietnam.
Students likewise embodied Straus’s mission through participation in the Willem C. Vis International Commercial Arbitration Moot in Vienna, entrepreneurial ADR projects, restorative practices collaborations, and the Seaver-Straus certificate in conflict management.
Faculty Spotlight
MAUREEN WESTON
Maureen Weston has long been a cornerstone of the Straus Institute’s reputation for excellence in arbitration and sports law. This year, she continued to shape the field through an impressive blend of scholarship, teaching, and professional leadership.
Her recent scholarship demonstrates her ability to engage deeply with both foundational and emerging questions of arbitration law. In The Federal Arbitration Act: Successes, Failures, and a Roadmap for Reform, she authored the chapter “State Arbitration Law in a FAA Preemption World,” offering critical insights into the dynamic tension between federal and state arbitration statutes. Her article in the Nevada Law Journal examined the unique challenges of arbitration at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, highlighting the intersection of global sports, governance, and justice.
Beyond her publications, Weston continues to advance experiential education for the next generation of advocates. She administers the ABA National Law Student Arbitration Competition, giving students nationwide the chance to develop skills in a rigorous, real-world simulation. Her
commitment to mentoring students extends to the Straus classroom, where she draws on her deep network of professional relationships to enrich learning with practical perspectives.
Weston’s influence also resonates internationally. Her appointment to the prestigious Court of Arbitration for Sport underscores her standing among the world’s leading voices in resolving high-profile disputes in athletics. She has also been sought after by the media, including a feature in the Los Angeles Times on the future of the 2028 Olympic Games, where she offered timely insights on the role of arbitration in shaping fair play and public trust.
Through her scholarship, teaching, and professional service, Weston exemplifies the Straus Institute’s mission: to equip leaders for purpose, service, and peacemaking in every arena of conflict. Her work at the forefront of sports arbitration not only cements her reputation as a thought leader but also provides Straus students with an extraordinary opportunity to learn from—and be inspired by—an active participant shaping law and policy on the global stage.
THE STRAUS DIFFERENCE: A Global Classroom for Students
With one of the broadest and most innovative arrays of dispute resolution courses in the world, Straus students experience a legal education that reflects the complexity of conflict in every sphere of society.
From foundational courses like Mediation Theory and Practice and International Commercial Arbitration to highly specialized offerings such as Psychology of Conflict Communication, Mediating Complex Public Policy Disputes, and Intellectual Property Disputes, the Straus curriculum mirrors the diverse realities students will face in practice. What sets the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution apart is more than innovative curriculum design—it is the extraordinary diversity of courses that empower students to tailor their learning to meet their passions and professional goals. Courses like CrossCultural Conflict and Dispute Resolution and Faith-Based Diplomacy and International Peacemaking highlight Straus’ global reach, equipping students to work effectively across cultural, political, and religious boundaries.
Straus also takes learning beyond the classroom through unique study tour programs. Students can explore Current
Issues in International Dispute Resolution in London and Geneva, and even dive into Olympic and International Sports Dispute Resolution on a global stage. These experiences are designed to connect theory with practice, ensuring that students not only learn dispute resolution but also live it in real-world settings.
What makes this possible is Straus’ unparalleled network of adjunct faculty who are practitioners from across the globe. Judges, mediators, arbitrators, and negotiators, many of whom actively practice in international forums, bring firsthand experience to the classroom. Whether it is a leading arbitrator teaching International Multiparty Disputes or a seasoned mediator guiding students through the Mediation Clinic, Straus faculty bridge scholarship and practice in ways few institutions can match.
Together, the depth and breadth of courses embody the Straus difference: a commitment to preparing leaders who not only understand conflict but are equipped to transform it in courts, communities, boardrooms, and global arenas.
THE STRAUS DIFFERENCE: Professional Training
The Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution has long been recognized for its world-class academic offerings, but the Straus difference extends far beyond the classroom. Through its Professional Training programs, Straus has become a global leader in equipping judges, attorneys, educators, and professionals with the tools to mediate, negotiate, and lead through conflict.
Since its founding in 1986, the Straus Institute has been a leader in continuing legal education, growing rapidly in the early 2000s. Over the years, more than 10,000 lawyers and judges have advanced their skills through our programs—a milestone we proudly celebrate. Our flagship Mediating the Litigated Case (MLC) program remains one of the most respected trainings in the field, drawing participants from across the country and around the world. This intensive five-day program has shaped the practices of countless professionals by refining their ability to navigate disputes at the intersection of law, advocacy, and negotiation.
Building on this foundation, the Professional Skills programs expand opportunities for learning through a wide range of short courses taught by leading practitioners. Each session offers practical training in specialized areas, from cross-cultural negotiation to advanced mediation
advocacy, designed to help professionals immediately apply new strategies in their work.
Straus has also led the way in addressing evolving needs in the profession. The Women’s Negotiation Academy empowers women in law and business to strengthen their negotiation skills, build confidence, and break barriers in professional advancement. Meanwhile, Beyond the Dialogue, an innovative initiative launched in partnership with the Los Angeles City Attorney’s Office and community organizations, has brought together officers and community members for mediation, de-escalation practices, and trust building. This groundbreaking program has already touched the lives of hundreds, fostering dialogue and skill development with the potential to ripple outward across communities.
Together, these Professional Training programs showcase how Straus unites academic excellence with professional practice. By training thousands of professionals across sectors, Straus is both shaping individual careers and transforming the broader culture of conflict resolution. Across courtrooms, boardrooms, classrooms, and communities, the Straus difference equips leaders to transform conflict into lasting change worldwide.
THE STRAUS DIFFERENCE: GLOBAL IMPACT
African Chief Justices Advance ADR at Pepperdine’s Château d’Hauteville
In a landmark moment for global justice, the Sudreau Global Justice Institute at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law convened the first-ever African Chief Justices’ Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Forum at Pepperdine’s Château d’Hauteville campus in Switzerland. The weeklong event brought together chief justices and regional court presidents from across the African continent to explore how ADR can transform justice systems, improve access to justice, and strengthen the rule of law.
Over several days of intensive learning, participants examined mediation, negotiation, arbitration, and plea bargaining, building on months of virtual sessions led by faculty from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and Graduate Law Programs. As a global leader in ADR education, the Straus Institute played a central role in shaping the forum’s curriculum, drawing on its decades of expertise in training judges, attorneys, and leaders worldwide. Notably, several of the Ugandan chief justices in attendance completed their masters of dispute resolution at Pepperdine, exemplifying the institute’s long-standing commitment to advancing justice through education and cross-cultural partnership.
“This week is historic,” said Hon. Chief Justice Alfonse Owiny-Dollo of Uganda, noting that the forum united judiciaries from across Africa “to act in concert, to promote a common cause: access to justice through ADR.” Uganda’s pioneering use of plea bargaining, developed with Pepperdine’s partnership, has already inspired regional reform, resolving tens of thousands of cases and reducing backlogs that once stretched for years
From Kenya to Namibia, justice leaders echoed the forum’s significance. Chief Justice Martha Koome of Kenya called ADR “a way to empower people to resolve their own disputes,” emphasizing that mediation and plea bargaining
expand access to justice for communities long excluded from formal courts
Chief Justice Peter Shivute of Namibia described the gathering as “truly historic, the first time African chief justices have come together under one roof to discuss ADR,” adding that its impact “will shape the future of judicial systems across the continent.”
The collaboration underscored Pepperdine’s distinctive role in advancing justice through partnership, service, and faith. “Pepperdine is out in the forefront of change,” reflected Utah District Court Judge Michael DiReda, who helped facilitate the training. “The work of the Sudreau Global Justice Institute will change justice systems for generations to come.”
The forum also marked a milestone in the Sudreau Global Justice Institute’s expanding work across Africa, where memoranda of understanding are being established with several national judiciaries and regional courts. Chief Justice Rizine Robert Mzikamanda of Malawi noted that “the lessons learned here will help reform our criminal justice system,” and Chief Justice Hassan Boubacar Jallow of The Gambia praised Pepperdine’s “selfless commitment” to promoting ADR and strengthening good governance.
Set against the serene backdrop of Lake Geneva and the Swiss Alps, the château became more than a venue, it became a symbol of shared purpose. Chief Justice Faustin Ntezilyayo of Rwanda described the event as “a historic gathering of judicial leaders united around a single theme, delivering justice in a more holistic way.”
As the forum ended, participants committed to forming a permanent African Chief Justices’ ADR Forum, ensuring that collaboration continues long after the final session.
Update on the Restatement of US Law of International Commercial and Investor-State Arbitration
by Jack Coe
Jack Coe, Jr., interim codirector of the Straus Institute at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, has long been recognized as a leading figure in international arbitration. His scholarship and teaching have shaped the field, and his recent role as an associate reporter for the American Law Institute’s (ALI) Restatement of the US Law of International Commercial and Investor-State Arbitration reflects both Straus’ global engagement and his enduring influence in the discipline.
The Origins of a Monumental Project
Coe recalled how the project began in December 2007, when the ALI commissioned a restatement on US law in the international arbitration space. Columbia Law School’s George Bermann was appointed as reporter and assembled a team of three associate reporters: Coe, Chris Drahozal of the University of Kansas (and frequent Straus guest lecturer), and Catherine Rogers of Bocconi University (also a Straus adjunct professor). After 15 years of rigorous drafting, peer review, and scholarly debate, the twovolume Restatement was complete.
Unlike other legal references, restatements are designed as hybrid works, part treatise, part encyclopedia, part judicial manual. Although widely used by lawyers and professors, their primary audience is the US judiciary, which relies on them as authoritative guides in complex cases.
The Restatement has already made an impact in both US and international courts. Chief Justice Roberts cited a draft provision in his dissent in BG Group v. Argentina (2014), signaling its early influence. Since then, multiple federal courts have cited and quoted the Restatement with approval. Notably, in 2020 the UK Supreme Court referenced it in Enka Insaat Ve Sanayi AS v. OOO Insurance Company Chubb, affirming its cross-border resonance. For a project with such an extended gestation period, its adoption demonstrates the global value of careful, collaborative scholarship.
Coe underscored that the Restatement is not just a reference for judges and practitioners; it is also a vital resource for students. Its recognition by courts makes it an essential window into the evolution of doctrine and the reasoning processes of courts in complex, transnational disputes. For students at Straus and beyond, it offers both a guide to legal principles and an example of how scholarship can shape practice worldwide.
THE STRAUS DIFFERENCE: Providing Solutions AT HOME
Partnering for Equity: The Straus Mediation Clinic and the City of Los Angeles
The Straus Institute’s Mediation Clinic at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law, directed by Stephanie Blondell, has long been a cornerstone of experiential learning, where students develop practical skills while serving the broader community. Through an innovative partnership with the Los Angeles Civil, Human Rights, and Equity Department (CHRED), led by executive director and general manager Capri Maddox (JD '01), the clinic is expanding its impact by assisting in addressing discrimination complaints within the City of Los Angeles.
A Collaborative Mission
CHRED was established to uphold and enforce the the city's Civil and Human Rights Law, ensuring accountability and equity in commerce, education, employment, and housing. Its mission aligns closely with Straus' commitment to peacemaking and conflict resolution, recognizing that not all complaints rise the the level of enforcement. Under the leadership of professor Stephanie Blondell in collaboration with Joumana Silyan-Saba, director of policy and discrimination enforcement, CHRED partnered with the Mediation Clinic to offer mediation as an alternative pathway, one that
empowers parties to engage in dialogue, restore trust, and seek constructive resolutions.
The Role of the Mediation Clinic
For students, the Mediation Clinic offers invaluable real-world experience, addressing sensitive disputes involving discrimination while being mentored by seasoned faculty and alumni mediators. For the public, it provides access to a process rooted in neutrality, empathy, and problem solving.
"Through the clinic, we’re not only learning the mechanics of mediation, but also what it means to support individuals who have experienced an affront to their dignity. The clinic turns conflict resolution from an abstract principle into a lived practice. Listening intently to clients and acknowledging their experience is a valuable benefit that mediation affords, especially when the resolution of a case may not be sufficient to assuage the invisible wounds the client may have sustained."
~Lindsey Kirchoff, LLM Mediation Clinic student
Mediator 2.0: The Dispute Resolution Law Journal Symposium Explores Mediator Identity, Technology, and the Future of Mediation
On November 7, 2025, the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, the graduate law programs, and the Dispute Resolution Law Journal hosted their annual Dispute Resolution Law Journal Symposium, titled “Mediator 2.0: Shaping Identity in a Changing ADR Landscape.” Led by faculty advisor Helen Winter and symposium editor Gabrielle Poremba, the event brought together leading scholars and practitioners from around the world to explore how mediators are redefining their professional identities amid evolving questions of faith, technology, and ethics.
Held at the Caruso School of Law, the symposium drew a packed audience of students, faculty, alumni, and professionals. The day featured a keynote address from Rachel Viscomi, cinical professor at Harvard Law School and director of the Harvard Mediation Program, whose insights on mediator adaptability and human connection in the digital era set the tone for a day of deep reflection and dialogue.
Panel 1, “Bridging Belief and Neutrality: Mediator Identity in Faith-Based Communities,” was moderated by Jonathan Lloyd-Jones, president of the International Academy of Mediators (UK). Panelists Michael Helfand, Stephanie Blondell, Inga Laurent, and Jon Fidler (Canada) explored how mediators navigate religious identity and neutrality when engaging with faith communities worldwide.
Panel 2, “The Future Mediator: Navigating Identity Amid AI and Online Dispute Resolution,” moderated by Steve Paul, brought together experts Clare Fowler, Jacob Ward, and Anja von Rosenstiel to discuss the expanding interface between technology and human judgment. From algorithmic ethics to virtual mediation environments, the session spotlighted how technology is transforming the profession.
In the closing discussion, “Ethics, Identity, and the Neutral Role: The Mediator as Convener for Needed Dialogue,” moderator Helen Winter guided panelists David Hoffman (Harvard), Colleen Passard, Barbara Cornish (Canada), and Elahe Amani through a powerful conversation about how mediators can step up as convenors for dialogue, lead across polarized divides, and foster trust through ethical presence and inclusion.
Throughout the day, attendees engaged in meaningful exchanges reflecting Pepperdine’s mission of purpose, service, and leadership. The symposium highlighted not only Straus’s continued leadership in dispute resolution education but also its global reach, featuring thought leaders from Harvard, the UK, and Canada, and reaffirming the collegial academic exchange that defines the ADR community.
Adjunct Faculty SPOTLIGHT
WILLIAM NIX
William Nix is a distinguished leader in the fields of entertainment, media, and dispute resolution whose work bridges the classroom and the global stage.
In September Nix, who teaches Entertainment Disputes at the Straus Institute, brought his expertise to the United Nations SDG Media Zone during Climate Week in New York. On September 24, he served as a featured panelist in “From Radium Girls to Planetary Health: Stories for a Livable Future,” exploring how storytelling can mobilize awareness, resources, and policy change. The following day, he moderated “Storytelling as a Catalyst for Cultural and Community Transformation,” guiding filmmakers and creative leaders in a discussion of how media can amplify urgent global challenges and inspire action.
Nix has also been featured in the upcoming documentary Stealing a Library, which investigates the rising wave of book bans and censorship in the United States. Drawing upon his decades of legal experience, including his early work with the ACLU, his service with the Motion Picture Association’s Classification Rating Administration, and his ongoing advocacy in media and public policy, Nix emphasized the constitutional balancing act at the heart of content freedom. As he reflects, “Any attempt by political or special interest groups to enforce unilateral control over collections and free thought is a threat to our democracy.”
The film, supported by PEN America’s Beyond the Shelves report, underscores how censorship disproportionately harms underserved communities that rely on libraries as gateways to education and opportunity. For Nix, this issue connects directly to his teaching: “These are exactly the kinds of complex, real-world challenges we explore in Entertainment Disputes. Legal principles are constantly intersecting with evolving technologies, cultural norms, and constitutional rights.”
Beyond his work in law, policy, and media production, Nix is the founder and CEO of Creative Projects Group, where he has produced content across multiple platforms, including serving as executive producer for the animated feature film The Prophet, based on Kahlil Gibran’s classic work. He regularly brings these experiences into his Straus classroom, preparing students to navigate the unique challenges at the intersection of law, culture, and entertainment.
Alumni SPOTLIGHT
REBECCA CALLAHAN (LLM ’ 07)
Rebecca Callahan is a full-time attorney-neutral in international and commercial arbitration and mediation. A member of the American Arbitration Association’s Large, Complex Case panel (arbitrator and master-level mediator) and the ICDR panels, she’s known for thorough preparation, creative problem solving, and an efficient, fair approach that helps resolve even high-conflict matters.
Before becoming a neutral, Callahan spent more than 20 years as a business litigator, much of it in Chapter 11 reorganization, handling lender/landlord/insurer disputes, fraud and nondischargeability actions, real estate valuation and title issues, and complex family wealth litigation (including restoring title to a $20 million portfolio). Today her neutral work spans intra-partner and M&A disputes, distributorship agreements, cryptocurrency matters, franchisor–franchisee conflicts, healthcare reimbursement and network issues, IP/ license cases, and probate/trust mediations.
A dedicated educator, Callahan has taught arbitration and mediation as an adjunct at the Straus Institute at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law since 2010 and serves on the AAA faculty (including Arbitrator Level 1). She was recently accepted to the ICC Advanced Arbitration Academy, Asia (2025–26), further deepening her international practice.
THOMAS GRIFFIN (JD/MDR ’06)
For nearly two decades, Thomas Griffin has been a trusted guide for thousands of professionals and students navigating moments of conflict and transformation at the University of California, Los Angeles. Serving as the university’s campus ombudsperson and director of ombuds services, Griffin helps individuals find meaning, resolution, and renewed purpose in the midst of challenge. His approach blends deep empathy with practical wisdom, hallmarks of the Straus Institute’s influence on his professional journey.
Before leading UCLA’s ombuds office, Griffin served as employee relations director at Warner Bros. Entertainment, and he mediated environmental disputes over wetland usage and advocated for housing justice with Los Angeles’ Inner City Law Center. His work has also reached a global audience, training teenagers in Pakistan’s Evolution-Igniting Potential movement, nurses at Kaiser Permanente, and Fulbright scholars from across the Middle and Far East in partnership with the US Department of State.
Griffin's path to dispute resolution began with an exceptional academic record, becoming the first student in the University of Colorado system to successfully complete a quadruple major. He went on to earn both his juris doctor and master of dispute resolution from Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law and the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, where he also became a Straus Fellow.
A lifelong learner and advocate for inclusive dialogue, Griffin later earned a certificate in diversity and inclusion from Cornell University. Today his career stands as a testament to the transformative power of ADR education—demonstrating how the principles learned at Straus can shape institutions, communities, and lives.
PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY
Caruso School of Law
Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution
24255 Pacific Coast Highway
Malibu, CA 90263-4655
Upcoming Training Programs
Mediating the Litigated Case
January 26–30 | Malibu
March 23–27 | Malibu
April 6–10 | Virtual
Women's Negotiation Academy
February 24–25 | Virtual
Mediating the Litigated Case 2.0
(prerequisite: Mediating the Litigated Case) Coming in 2026
