NAM LEADS THE WAY CREATING CONTINUING LEGAL EDUCATION PROGRAMS ON GENDER DIVERSITY, INCLUSION, AND ELIMINATION OF BIAS IN THE LEGAL PROFESSION
“Roughly two-thirds [nearly 68%] of all attorneys appearing in civil cases—whether as lead counsel or trial attorney—are men.”
Source: The ABA Commission, First Chairs at Trial: More Women Need Seats at the Table, 2015
New York, NY (March 6, 2018) – NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) is pleased to announce the addition of a Continuing Legal Education (CLE) program on diversity in the workplace entitled If Not Now. When? Achieving Equality for Women Attorneys in the Courtroom and in ADR. The program draws from a recent report and survey compiled by the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) Commercial & Federal Litigation Section's Task Force on Women's Initiatives. The report seeks to address the disparity of women in the courtroom and encourages law firms, members of the judiciary, corporate clients and alternative dispute resolution (ADR) providers to offer women lawyers opportunities to gain trial experience, participate in the courtroom and all aspects of litigation, and be selected as neutrals in ADR.
On February 6, 2018, the American Bar Association approved a resolution affirming the NYSBA report and agreed that women attorneys remain considerably underrepresented in courtrooms and as arbitrators and mediators and outlined steps that can be taken by the judiciary, law firms, clients and ADR providers to address the disparity.
In effect since January 1, 2018, New York adopted a new Diversity, Inclusion and Elimination of Bias CLE credit requirement for experienced attorneys. NAM is a New York State accredited CLE provider and has been at the forefront of this movement presenting gender diversity programs to bar associations, law firms and corporations throughout the state. NAM neutrals, Hon. Karla Moskowitz and Susan Hernandez, Esq. have both participated in these programs and are renowned for their advocacy, legal acumen and insight. Hon. Karla Moskowitz was an associate Justice of the New York State Supreme Court, Appellate Division for 10 years until her recent retirement. Ms. Hernandez is a highly regarded neutral at NAM and was ranked the #1 mediator in New York State.
Roy Israel, President and CEO of NAM stated, “The ABA's endorsement of the New York State Bar Association's gender disparity report emphasizes the importance of ensuring that there is equality in the workplace and that women are empowered in the judiciary and ADR process going forward. NAM recognizes that this issue is a matter of inherent fairness and justice. Our CLE program on gender disparity in the courtroom and alternative dispute resolution is an excellent way to enlighten and educate the legal community as well as advance the discussion of these important issues.”
NAM provides complimentary Continuing Legal Education (CLE) programs on gender diversity as well as other topics. For more information on NAM's diversity program, as well as other CLE programs contact Stephanie Ball, Director of Continuing Legal Education at 516.794.8950 x145 or click here to learn more.
ABOUT NAM
Founded in 1992, NAM (National Arbitration and Mediation) is recognized for its superb customer service and exceptional panel of arbitrators and mediators. For the third year in a row, NAM was named Best ADR Firm in the United States by the 2018 National Law Journal Annual Reader Rankings Survey. Also, six of NAM's neutrals were named National Law Journal 2017 Alternative Dispute Resolution Champions as part of a select group of only 37 nationwide. NAM also ranked as a Best National ADR Provider by the 2017 Corporate Counsel Best of Survey. The New York Law Journal Annual Reader Rankings Survey selected NAM as the No. 1 ADR firm for the past seven years. NAM was also voted a “Best Overall ADR Provider” in the 2017 Best of The New Jersey Law Journal and Best of the Midwest annual surveys.
NAM works with more than 10,000 commercial entities, including more than 50 percent of the Fortune 100 companies. NAM offers litigants a nationwide panel of more than 2,500 top-tier former judges and practicing specialists uniquely qualified to facilitate the resolution of disputes in a private forum. NAM maintains rosters in all 50 states, Puerto Rico and in major cities around the world, with specific expertise in the areas of complex commercial, construction, employment, entertainment, financial services, international, insurance, medical malpractice, personal injury (including third-party and first-party actions), professional liability and real estate dispute resolution. NAM is an indispensable resource for parties seeking cost-effective alternatives to expensive and time-consuming litigation.
NAM provides complimentary continuing legal education programs for attorneys, bar associations, corporate and government legal departments, and other legal and business organizations.
Click here to view the 2018 National Law Journal Reader Rankings Survey.
Click here to view National Law Journal 2017 Alternative Dispute Resolution Champions
Click here to view the 2017 Corporate Counsel Best of Survey
Click here to view the 2017 New York Law Journal Survey
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