News Archive
2009 News
Training Down Under
On November 24, 2009, BLC's David Hoffman presented a one-day workshop on "Bringing Peace into the Room" in Sydney, Australia, sponsored by Interrelate Family Centres.
Uniform Collaborative Law Act
On November 20, 2009, Hofstra Law School hosted a symposium on the Uniform Collaborative Law Act, and BLC member David Hoffman will be one of the speakers. David is co-chair of the Collaborative Law Committee of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution.
BLC picked by ABA Section of Family Law to offer the Section's first Family Mediation Training November 9-13, 2009
BLC will present a 40-hour training in Family Meditation at its offices in Boston. The training will include the following trainers: David Hoffman, Esq. (lead trainer), Israela Brill-Cass, Esq., Nicole DiPentima, Susan Miller, CPA, CFP, CDFA, Rita Pollak, Esq., Vicki Shemin, Esq., LICSW, and Dr. Richard Wolman. If you are interested, or know someone who might be; information is available here.
BLC Executive Director Co-Chairs MCLE's First Annual ADR and the Law Conference
BLC’s Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass was asked to co-chair with Attorney John Wofford, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education (MCLE)’s First Annual ADR and the Law Conference. The full-day conference took place on October 26, 2009 at MCLE and included workshops with attorneys and conflict resolution professionals as well as a Judge’s Panel.
Collaborative Law Workshop
On October 25, 2009, at the 10th annual Forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals, BLC member David Hoffman presented a workshop on “Building Bridges: The Art (and Science) of Collaborative Relationships.”
Building Relationships: The Mortar that Holds Mediations Together
On June 19, 2009 BLC’s David Hoffman presented a workshop on “Building Relationships: The Mortar that Holds Mediations Together” at The Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution’s Annual Conference in Greenbelt, Maryland.
Mediation Pedagogy Conference
From May 15-16, 2009, The Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School held its first-ever "Mediation Pedagogy Conference." BLC’s David Hoffman (who teaches Mediation at Harvard Law School) was one of the panelists and spoke on the subject “How Can We Get Our Students in a Mediating Frame of Mind.”
BLC Receives ABA “Lawyer as Problem Solver” Award
On April 16, 2009, BLC received the American Bar Association’s “Lawyer as Problem Solver” Award. The award was presented to BLC founding member, David Hoffman, at the annual meeting of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution in New York. For more information about the award, click here.
BLC Attorney Becomes Superior Court Judge
On April 15, 2009, former BLC attorney Janet Kenton-Walker was appointed as an Associate Justice of the Superior Court with unanimous approval by the Governor’s Council. Janet was nominated by Governor Deval Patrick, who praised Janet for her “top-notch legal skills, even temperament, high integrity and long-standing commitment to justice.” Her official duties as a judge began after she was sworn in on May 7, 2009. A reception in Janet’s honor was held at BLC on May 21, 2009.
Silverman Article on Parenting Options
BLC attorney Craig Silverman published an article on April 9, 2009, on parenting options – mediation, collaborative law, parenting coordinators, and litigation – that was picked up and published in several newspapers in Massachusetts and five other states. For a copy of the article, click here.
Employment ADR Panel
In February 2009, BLC launched its Workplace and Employment ADR Panel, providing mediation, arbitration, fact-finding, and other dispute resolution services, plus training on sexual harassment and other workplace issues. The Panel is a highly diverse group of experienced workplace mediators and arbitrators from across the United States, including Loretta Attardo, Melissa Brodrick, Dana Curtis, Joan Dolan, Sarah Kerr Garraty, James Grumbach, David Hoffman, Paul Holtzman, Vivian Hsu, Marvin Johnson, Homer La Rue, Steve Linsky, Melinda Milberg, Linda Toyo Obayashi, Marsha Saylor, Jay Siegel, Lamont Stallworth, and John Wofford. BLC’s Nicole DiPentima is the Panel Administrator.
Inauguration Day
BLC's David Hoffman, Marc Marrero, and Mandy Swamy attended the Presidential Inauguration in Washington, DC, on January 20, 2009. They found a spot near the Smithsonian at about 7:30 a.m., and although the temperature was 16 degrees, the enthusiasm of the crowd and the significance of the moment overcame their fear of frostbite.
Article Award
On January 15, 2009, the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (www.cpradr.org) gave one of its two annual article awards to BLC’s David Hoffman. The article – contending that Microsoft and Yahoo should have used mediation to close their failed merger deal – was published in the Christian Science Monitor and is available at the BLC web site: http://tinyurl.com/6qx7cl.
Teaching Mediation
BLC’s David Hoffman was recently named John H. Watson, Jr. Lecturer on Law at Harvard Law School, where he teaches the Mediation course. David has also been selected for a sixth consecutive year for the book The Best Lawyers in America – he is listed in three categories: Alternative Dispute Resolution, Collaborative Family Law, and Family Mediation.
New Lawyer
On January 5, 2009, attorney Janet Kenton-Walker joined the BLC team – she is Of Counsel to the firm. Janet has had a distinguished career, and was appointed by Chief Justice Margaret Marshall to serve on the Massachusetts Legal Assistance Corporation Board and the Massachusetts Board of Bar Overseers. She has also served as a trustee of the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, vice-president of the Massachusetts Bar Association, and as a board member of the Committee for Public Counsel Services. At BLC, Janet will continue her practice of business and other civil litigation, family law, bankruptcy litigation, and criminal defense. Janet is an honors graduate of Mt. Holyoke College and Suffolk University Law School.
2008 News
New Staff Members
In 2008, two new members of the BLC team joined us. Marc Marrero and Mandakini Swamy are our newest Family Law Administrators. Mandy recently graduated with a B.A. in Political Science and a Certificate in African Studies from Indiana University, where she held various positions in student government and other student organizations. Marc is a recent graduate of Tufts University; Marc has worked at the Chilean Supreme Court with Corporación de Promoción y Defensa de los Derechos del Pueblo (CODEPU), an international human rights NGO in Santiago.
Rising Star
BLC attorney Mary LaCivita has been selected for a fourth consecutive year as a Rising Star in the annual “Super Lawyers” publication for 2008. She is the only Family Law attorney in Massachusetts to have been selected in each of those years.
Keynote Speech in Icy Wisconsin
On December 12, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman braved the snow and sub-zero temperatures of Kohler, Wisconsin, to deliver a keynote lecture at the annual meeting of the Divorce Cooperation Institute. David’s topic was “Creating an Effective Dispute Resolution Practice: From Soup to Nuts.”
Mindfulness and Mediation
On December 4, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman gave a lecture at the UMass/Boston Graduate Program in Dispute Resolution on the subject of “Mindfulness and Mediation.” David discussed the challenges of maintaining non-judgmental awareness even when the people or circumstances of the mediation push our emotional buttons.
Construction Mediation Training
On December 2, 2008, BLC hosted a Construction Mediation Skills Training with construction professional Stuart Baker of Conscious Cooperation, construction mediator and arbitrator John Fieldsteel of Urbelis & Fieldsteel, BLC Member David Hoffman, and BLC Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass. The one-day training was aimed at architects, contractors, owners, engineers, and others involved in construction work.
Quinnipiac – Yale Lecture
On November 10, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman delivered a lecture at Yale Law School on "Colliding Worlds of Dispute Resolution: Toward a Unified Field Theory of ADR." The talk was part of a joint forum with Quinnipiac Law School’s Dispute Resolution Program.
Civil and Family Mediation Training
In November 2008 and November 2009, BLC’s Israela Brill-Cass, Nicole DiPentima, and David Hoffman, along with BLC Affiliate Dr. Richard Wolman, led a day of Civil Mediation Training at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education, and also presented Family Mediation Training in January 2008 and January 2009.
Collaboration and Bringing Peace into the Room
On October 31, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman was the keynote speaker at the 11th Annual ADR Institute sponsored by Minnesota Continuing Legal Education in Minneapolis. David gave talks on Collaborative Practice and the subject of his book (with co-editor Daniel Bowling) Bringing Peace into the Room: How the Personal Qualities of the Mediator Impact the Process of Conflict Resolution.
Communicating Collaboratively in Cyberspace
On October 19, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop on "Communicating Collaboratively in Cyberspace: How to Bring Peace into the Electronic Room" at the annual Forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals in New Orleans. (David’s article, on which the talk was based, can be accessed on his profile page.)
Enlightened Cultural Competence
On October 3, 2008, mediators Daniel Bowling, Marvin Johnson, Homer La Rue and BLC Member David Hoffman presented a one-day workshop on "Exploring the Crossroads of Diversity and Spirituality." For more information, contact Nicole DiPentima at BLC or click here.
Colliding Worlds
On September 22, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman delivered the annual Gloria and Stanley Plesent Lecture at Cardozo School of Law in New York. The title of his talk was "Colliding Worlds of Dispute Resolution: Toward a Unified Field Theory of ADR." (David’s article, on which the talk was based, can be accessed on his profile page.)
Massachusetts Higher Education Assistance Corporation Wage Garnishment Hearing
BLC Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass has been selected by the Massachusetts Higher Education Assistance Corporation, doing business as American Student Assistance ("ASA"), to serve as a neutral hearing officer in wage garnishment cases where in-person hearings are requested. ASA is a guaranty agency participating in the Federal Family Education Loan Program and the hearing officer's role is to render a determination as to whether a borrower has defaulted on federally backed student loans and if so, whether wage garnishment through a borrower's employer is appropriate.
Correction: In our recent mailing to colleagues, clients and friends we referred to American Student Assistance as a “state agency participating in the Federal Family Education Loan Program” when in fact it is not a state agency and should have been referred to (as it is above) as a “guaranty agency participating in the Federal Family Loan Program.” We apologize for this error and any confusion it may have caused.
Spirituality and Diversity
On May 15, 2008, mediators Marvin Johnson, Homer La Rue and BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop on "Spirituality and Diversity" at the semi-annual meeting of the International Academy of Mediators in Coral Gables, Florida.
The Power of Apology
On June 6, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman gave a talk on "The Power of Apology" at the Community Dispute Settlement Center's program entitled, "Mediation Skills Refresher & Conflict Clinic."
Communicating Collaboratively
On June 21, 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman will be presented a workshop, with mediator Don Greenstein, at the 21st annual Conference of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Greenbelt, MD, on "Communicating Collaboratively in Cyberspace: Exploring the Crossroads of Technology and Dispute Resolution."
BLC Member Attends AAML Training
In May 2008, BLC Member Olive Larson attended and completed the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers Arbitration Training Institute. The AAML strives to raise the bar in matrimonial law through a membership of the most skilled family law attorneys. For more information about the AAML click here.
BLC Member Presents at Family Law Paralegal Conference
In May 2008, BLC Member Olive Larson was invited to present at Half Moon Seminar's Advanced Family Law Practice for Paralegals. Attorney Larson spoke specifically about assisting with alimony issues as well as the difficulties in ascertaining income. For more information about the seminar click here.
BLC Member Elected Vice President of Regional Theater Organization
This year, BLC Member Olive Larson was elected Vice President of the Board of Directors of Theater in the Open. Theater in the Open is a non-profit organization based in Newburyport that is in its 29th season. The Company remains a staple of the North Shore's artistic community and performances are held at Maudslay State Park.
BLC Attorney serves as Chief Justice in National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC)
In March 2008 BLC Attorney Craig Silverman served as a judge for the 2007-08 Boston Regional National Appellate Advocacy Competition (NAAC); he acted as the Chief Justice on the three-judge panel. The NAAC is one of the largest moot court competitions in the country with 190 teams from 15 states competing. The teams were narrowed down to 31 by the time the competition reached Boston and the top 4 teams selected in Boston continue to compete in the national rounds in Chicago. Competitors participated in a hypothetical appeal to the United States Supreme Court and were required to write a 40-page brief as either respondent or petitioner and then arguing the case in front of the mock court on which Craig Silverman served.
BLC Member Speaks at Vermont Bar Association
On March 7, 2008 BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop on "Collaborative Communication Skills" co-sponsored by the Vermont Bar Association's Collaborative Law Section and ADR Section. For information regarding the workshop click here.
BLC Member Speaks on Difficult Cases and Difficult Clients
BLC Member David Hoffman spoke in February 2008 at the Massachusetts Continuting Legal Education program entitled "Difficult Cases and Difficult Clients." David presented information about mediation, collaborative law, and other "Alternatives to WWIII."
BLC Member and Executive Director Lead Divorce Mediation Training at MCLE
In July 2007 and January 2008, BLC Member David Hoffman led the third day of the four day divorce mediation trainings offered by Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education and chaired by retired Probate and Family Court Judge Edward Ginsburg. BLC Affiliates and chaired by retired Probate and Family Court Judge Edward Ginsburg. BLC Affiliates Richard Wolman and Susan Miller, BLC Paralegal Nicole DiPentima and BLC Of Counsel Vicki Shemin assisted Hoffman. BLC Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass, along with respected mediators John Fiske, Cynthia Bauman and Norman Sherman, lead the first day of the training.
BLC Executive Director Leads Facilitation
In December 2007 and January 2008, BLC Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass facilitated a series of meetings with leaders of the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA), an independent federal agency. Working with RESOLVE, NARA's alternative dispute resolution program, Israela assisted the group to develop a framework for improving their work environment and workplace communications.
Gillette Severance Programs
BLC has been selected to serve as the Plan Administrator in connection with certain severance programs at Gillette. Appeals of benefits denied by the Company may be brought by employees under a severance plan that was triggered by Procter & Gamble's acquisition of Gillette in October 2005. BLC's Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass will administer the program, and a panel of ADR professionals, including BLC's Dina Beach Lynch and David Hoffman, will serve as hearing officers. (In November 2007 BLC sent a letter to clients and colleagues inaccurately describing the hearings as arbitrations; they are not arbitrations but rather administrative reviews of severance benefit decisions made by Procter & Gamble.)
BLC Clerk Volunteers at Special Education Classroom
In March 2008, BLC Clerk Ben Kaberon volunteered in a special education elementary school classroom in upstate New York. As a guest assistant teacher, Ben worked one-on-one with second grade children in reading, math, and writing. Consistent with BLC's mission and values, the firm's policy is that all attorneys and administrative staff are permitted (indeed, encouraged) to take off one week per year without loss of pay, in addition to vacations and holidays, to perform public service or community service work for a non-profit public interest or public service organization.
2007 News
Hoffman Presents on Collaborative Communications in Cyberspace
In November 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop entitled "Bringing Peace into the Electronic Mediation: Communicating Collaboratively in Cyberspace" at a meeting of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation.
Collaborative Law Gets Approval from ABA Ethics Committee
The growth of Collaborative Law in the U.S. achieved a major milestone on August 9, 2007, with the issuance of an ethics opinion (#04-447) by the American Bar Association approving the use of collaborative law agreements by lawyers. BLC Member David Hoffman, who chairs the Collaborative Law Committee of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution, published an op-ed column on the ethics opinion for the Christian Science Monitor. For a copy of the column, click here; for a copy of the ethics opinion, click here.
BLC Member Presents at the Touro Law Center
In November 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop on "Resolving Civil Disputes" with Touro Law Prof. Hal Abramson and Dan Weitz, Director of ADR Program for the New York State Unified Court System, at the Touro Law Center's conference on "Law as a Healing Profession."
BLC Member Presents on Collaborative Law at the IACP Annual Forum
In October 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop entitled "Forging New Paths for Civil Collaborative Law: Identifying Allies and Opportunities, Overcoming Obstacles, and Documenting Successful Cases" with Dallas attorney Sherrie Abney, author of "Avoid Litigation: A Guide to Civil Collaborative Law", at the annual Forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals held in Toronto.
BLC Member Keynote Speaker at University of Missouri School of Law
In October 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman was the keynote speaker at the "Innovative Lawyering Symposium" at the University of Missouri School of Law. David's talk and Symposium article - entitled "Practicing Law as a Form of Dispute Resolution: Towards a Unified Field Theory of ADR" - focuses on collaborative and cooperative forms of legal practice.
BLC Associate Presents on Parenting Coordination at MCFM Family Mediation Institute
In October 2007 Vicki Shemin, who is of counsel at BLC, presented a talk at the annual Family Mediation Institute of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, entitled "Parenting Coordination: The Final Frontier."
BLC Member Keynote Speaker at Annual ADR Conference in New Zealand
In September 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman was the keynote speaker at the annual ADR conference in New Zealand. The Ninth Annual Conference of LEADR ("Leading Edge Alternative Dispute Resolvers"), which is the largest professional dispute resolution organization in the Asian Pacific, also included two workshops offered by David on "Bringing Peace into the Room" and "Collaborative Law as a Form of Dispute Resolution Practice."
'Up and Coming' Massachusetts Lawyer
BLC Attorney Mary LaCivita was recently selected for inclusion in the "Rising Stars" edition of the 2007 Massachusetts Super Lawyers publication, which is based on a state-wide survey of lawyers who are asked to list the "top young lawyers in Massachusetts." This is the third year in a row that she has received this honor.
Hancock-CNA Reinsurance Arbitration Settlement
In September 2007, BLC Member David Hoffman completed his service as chair of a three-arbitrator panel in a reinsurance dispute between John Hancock Life Insurance and CNA Reinsurance. The arbitration was concluded with a settlement in which CNA paid $250 million to resolve the dispute, after a six-week arbitration held in Boston. Hoffman's fellow arbitrators were Ian Hunter, QC, from the UK and Robert Green, former Associate General Counsel at Traveler's Insurance.
BLC Member Teaches Summer Law Course at Harvard
In July 2007 BLC Member David Hoffman taught a course at the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative (HNII) Summer Learning Forum, entitled: "The New Lawyer: Practicing Law as a Healing Profession" with Profs. Susan Daicoff and David Hall. HNII is a project of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
BLC Executive Director Presents at Hebrew College Rabbinical School
On May 14, 2007, BLC Executive Director and ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass recently presented a half day dispute resolution skills training for rabbinical students at Hebrew College Rabbinical School in Newton. The training was part of the school's Spring Seminar Week and students ranged in age from mid-20's to over 60. The training emphasized group faciliation skills and was geared toward helping future rabbis understand the role of mediator and negotiator.
Spirituality and Diversity
On June 22, 2007, BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop entitled "Enlightened Cultural Competence: Exploring the Crossroads of Spirituality and Diversity" at the 20th annual conference of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Greenbelt, Maryland. His co-presenters were the Center's Director Marvin Johnson, mediator Daniel Bowling (co-editor of "Bringing Peace into the Room"), and Howard University Law School Professor Homer La Rue.
BLC Affiliate Named Ombudsman at Berklee College of Music
Dina Beach Lynch, BLC Affiliate, was recently named Ombudsman for the Berklee College of Music, the first in its history. Ms. Lynch, who designed their Ombuds program, will serve as a confidential and neutral resource for faculty and staff in resolving workplace issues. Ms. Lynch is a recognized pioneer in external Ombuds services for corporate and academic settings and her company, Kisima Enterprises, has been featured in Inc, Entrepreneur and other respected business magazines.
Hoffman Presents at ABA Annual Conference
BLC Member David Hoffman, along with former BLC Paralegal and Office Manager Stacey Bran and Oregon mediator Jim Melamed, led a workshop on the impact of office design on the process of mediation at the annual conference of the American Bar Association Section of Dispute Resolution held in Washington DC in April 2007. Stacey has written a master's thesis on this subject.
BLC Presents at NE-ACR Conference
In May 2007 BLC ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass and BLC Paralegal Nicole DiPentima presented a workshop entitled: "Getting Clients in the Door: The Importance of Intake" at the Conference of the New England Chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution.
BLC Member to Teach Mediation at Harvard
BLC Member David Hoffman has been asked to teach the Mediation course at Harvard Law School. The course, which was created by HLS Prof. Frank E.A. Sander, and taught by him for more than 20 years, will be offered in the Spring semester, 2008. For a description of the course, click here.
ABA Creates Collaborative Law Committee
On February 10, 2007, the Council of the American Bar Association's 9,000-member Section of Dispute Resolution voted unanimously to create a Collaborative Law Committee. BLC Member David Hoffman was appointed chair of the Committee, which will focus on legislation, ethics, and increasing the awareness, understanding, and use of Collaborative Law. Information about the Committee can be found on the ABA web site for the Committee (click here) or by contacting Nicole DiPentima at BLC.
Hoffman and Larson Named Massachusetts 'Super Lawyers'
BLC Members David Hoffman and Olive Larson were selected for the list of Massachusetts 'Super Lawyers,' published annually in Boston Magazine. Lawyers are chosen for this list based on a survey of 31,000 attorneys around the state. Law & Politics Magazine, which collects the data and publishesthe list annually, limits the number of lawyers on the list to 5% of the total number in the Commonwealth. Larson is listed in the area of Family Law, and Hoffman is listed in the area of Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Conflict Resolution Career Workshop
On Thursday, February 15, 2007, BLC Affliate Dina Beach Lynch was part of a panel discussion on conflict work at Brandeis University at an event titled "Conflict Resolution Career Workshop."
BLC Member Leads Workshop on Negotiation Skills
In March 2007, BLC Member David Hoffman led a workshop with Chuck Doran of Mediation Works, Incorporated on Negotiation Skills at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education.
BLC Attorneys Hosts Presentation on Financial Statements
In April 2007, BLC Member Olive Larson and BLC Attorney Mary LaCivita gave a presentation on Financial Statements for Family Law at BLC for the Women's Bar Foundation's Family Law Project.
2006 News
Taking the Lead
In October 2006, BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch began her term as Tri-Chair of the Workplace Section of the Association of Conflict Resolution, a professional organization dedicated to enhancing the practice of and public awareness of mediation.
Ombudsmen in the Workplace
On October 7, 2006 BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch was the guest speaker for the Graduate Program in Dispute Resolution at the University of Massachusetts, Boston, where she discussed the evolving role of an Ombudsman in the workplace.
BLC Member in 'Best Lawyers' Book
BLC Member David Hoffman was named one of the county's best mediators and arbitrators in the 2005 and 2006 editions of "The Best Lawyers in America." David is listed in the book under the headings for Alternative Dispute Resolution and a new category, Family Mediation. In 2005 David completed his term as chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Dispute Resolution.
BLC Presents at MCLC
BLC Member David Hoffman and BLC Affiliate Susan Miller were presenters at MCLC's conference, "Expanding Professional Skills to Resolve Conflict" in September 2006.
Ombudsman Presentation
On October 13, 2006 BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch spoke on The Life and Perils of an Ombudsman at the New Hampshire Conflict Resolution Association's annual conference.
BLC Presents at the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals
Doug Reynolds, from The New Law Center in Cambridge, and BLC Member David Hoffman presented a talk on "Civil Collaborative Practice Triage: Informing Clients About Process Options While Encouraging Them to Make a Collaborative Commitment" at the annual Forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals in San Diego in October 2006.
On Board
BLC Member Olive Larson has joined the Board of Directors of Theater in the Open, a theater group on the North Shore. The organization provides opportunities for people from all backgrounds to participate in sophisticated theater productions.
Best of the U.S.
BLC Member David Hoffman has been selected as one of five Boston arbitrators for the new website Best of United States (www.BestOfUS.com). The website lists individuals in 120 professions and specialties, based on queries addressed to more than 1,000,000 service professionals in the U.S.
BLC Trains Family Law Advocates
In September 2006, Mary LaCivita presented a talk on custody issues for the Women's Bar Foundation's pro bono Family Law Project for Battered Women, which provides counsel without cost for women who have been subjected to domestic violence. In past years, BLC Members Olive Larson and David Hoffman have provided training for the Project.
BLC Trains Mediators
In July 2005, January 2006, and July 2006, Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education offered a divorce mediation training, chaired by retired Probate and Family Court Judge Edward Ginsburg. BLC Member David Hoffman led the third day of the four-day training, with help from BLC Affiliate Richard Wolman, BLC's ADR Case Manager Israela Brill-Cass, and BLC Attorney Vicki Shemin.
BLC Ombuds Featured in Entrepreneur Magazine
In August 2006, BLC Executive Director Israela Brill-Cass and BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch were featured in an Entrepreneur Magazine article regarding the use of Ombuds in small firms. Click here for a copy of the article.
Mediators on Video
Approximately 100 mediators in the United States and Canada have been selected for inclusion in the recently released series of video interviews from Mediate.com. The interviewees include Profs. Roger Fisher and Frank Sander and BLC Member David Hoffman. The recorded interviews are entitled "The Mediators: Family Mediation Edition."
Caucusing in Mediation
BLC Paralegal Nicole DiPentima and BLC Member David Hoffman presented workshops on the subject of caucusing in mediation at two conferences in 2006: the annual conference of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Maryland (June 23, 2006) and the annual conference of the Family Mediation Section of the Association for Conflict Resolution in Falmouth, Massachusetts (July 14, 2006). At the Maryland conference, Nicole and David were joined by fellow presenter Prof. Homer LaRue from Howard University School of Law. Nicole is writing her Master's thesis on the subject of caucusing for the Graduate Program in Dispute Resolution at UMass/Boston.
National Teleconference on Collaborative Law
On June 21, 2006, the American Bar Association held a national teleconference entitled "Practicing Law the Collaborative Way," with Pauline Tesler, Chris Fairman, Prof. Julie Macfarlane, and BLC Member David Hoffman as the presenters. Approximately 600 lawyers dialed into this Continuing Legal Education event.
Florida Conference
On June 1, 2006, David Hoffman served as a panelist in the opening plenary session of the annual conference of the Association of Family and Conciliation Courts in Tampa, Florida. David's presentation focused on the role of mediators and collaborative law attorneys in disputes involving custody issues in divorce.
NYC Collaborative Law Group
On May 18, 2006, BLC Member David Hoffman gave a talk in New York City on the subject of "Bringing Peace into the Room" for the New York Collaborative Law Group and the Center for Mediation in Law.
Walk for Hunger
On May 7, 2006, a team of BLC attorneys and staff participated in the annual Walk for Hunger, and raised more than $2,000 for the Walk's sponsor, Project Bread.
Video Seminar on Severance Negotiation
Aspatore Books has published a video seminar on DVD featuring BLC Member David Hoffman presenting strategies on the negotiation of severance agreements. Click here for a link to information about the DVD. (BLC's royalties from this project are all being donated to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.)
Training Paralegals
BLC Attorney Mary LaCivita and BLC Case Manager Lenore Pellani led a training for paralegals at Massachusetts Continuing Legal Education on April 26, 2006. The program was entitled "Family Law for Paralegals." The other presenters were Laura Cervizzi and Catherine Thornton.
The Future of Alternative Dispute Resolution
In April 2006, Harvard Law School honored Prof. Frank E. A. Sander, one of the founders of the Alternative Dispute Resolution movement, with a conference in which BLC Member David Hoffman was one of six speakers. David's talk, entitled "The Future of ADR Practice: Three Hopes, Three Fears, and Three Predictions," was published in the Fall 2006 issue of the Negotiation Journal, published by the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
Member of the Academy
In April 2006, David Hoffman was elected to be a Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators, an organization of approximately 120 commercial mediators.
Ethical Culture
On March 26, 2006, David Hoffman gave a lecture on mediation, collaborative law, and the ethical dimensions of dispute resolution for the Ethical Culture Society of Boston.
Collaborative Law in the World of Business
In January 2006, Doug Reynolds of The New Law Center in Cambridge, and BLC Member David Hoffman gave a talk on the use of Collaborative Law in business cases at the annual meeting of the International Institute on Conflict Prevention and Resolution in New York City.
2005 News
Spirituality and Mediation
In December 2005, BLC Affiliate Richard Wolman presented a workshop on the spiritual dimensions of negotiation at the Fall/Winter Working Group of the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative, a project of the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School.
Mediation and the Mediation of Life
On November 3, 2005, BLC Affiliates Richard Wolman and Dina Beach Lynch and BLC Member David Hoffman presented a workshop entitled "Mediation and the Meaning of Life" at the annual conference of the New England chapter of the Association for Conflict Resolution.
Collaborative Law in the World of Business
On October 29, 2005, at the Annual Forum of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals in Atlanta, David Hoffman presented a workshop on "Expanding the Horizons of Collaborative Law in the World of Business: From Conflict Resolution to Deal-Making."
Candidate for Governor
On October 24, 2005, BLC hosted a fund-raising reception for Deval Patrick at BLC. Patrick recently won the Democratic Party primary election with 50% of the vote. Deval was elected Governor on November 7, 2006, and was sworn in on January 4, 2007 as Massachusetts' first African-American Governor.
Days in Court
BLC Member Olive Larson recently concluded a ten-day trial in the Probate and Family Court, in a case that involved complicated custody and mental health issues. Olive comments: "Although a number of our clients' cases need to go to court -- such as this bitterly contested custody battle -- we still achieve a negotiated resolution in far more cases than we try.
Shemin Elected to MCFM Board
BLC Of Counsel Attorney Vicki Shemin was recently elected to the Board of the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, and she currently serves on the Board of the Massachusetts Association of Guardian ad Litem. In July 2005, Vicki and David Hoffman published an article, "The Uniform Mediation Act: Upgrading Confidentiality in Mediation," in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly.
"Up and Coming" Massachusetts Lawyer
BLC Attorney Mary LaCivita was recently selected for inclusion in the "Rising Stars" edition of the 2005 Massachusetts Super Lawyers publication, which lists the "top young lawyers in Massachusetts." She was one of only 18 family law attorneys in Massachusetts to receive that honor.
Collaborative Law Leader
BLC Affliate Susan Miller has been appointed to the Civil Collaborative Law Task Force of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals. She will be meeting with other Task Force members from the United States and Canada this month in Chicago. Susan and her colleagues at Aurora Financial Advisors, LLC have recently moved their offices from Newton to a larger suite in Wellesley.
Lynch Article Featured in HR Industry Magazine
BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch's article "Five Habits to be a Highly Effective Conflict Resolver" is featured as a cover story in a recent issue of Insights Magazine, published by the Northeast Human Resources Association, a 4,000-member professional organization for the human resources field in New England. Dina will be the keynote speaker at the Corning Glass 25th Anniversary Diversity Conference in September 2005.
2004 News
"Up Close and Personal"
BLC Affiliate Richard Wolman, along with David Hoffman, recently completed an article, "Up Close and Personal: How Mediator Self-Disclosure Impacts the Process of Conflict Resolution," which will be published this fall. Richard is currently teaching a psychology course at Harvard Medical School, and will be leading a workshop this fall at the Harvard Negotiation Insight Initiative at Harvard Law School on the use of spirituality in negotiation.
Lectures and Workshops
BLC Member David Hoffman gave a series of talks this spring: (a) a keynote address on "Bringing Peace into the Room" at the annual conference of the Center for Alternative Dispute Resolution in Maryland on June 24; (b) a keynote speech on recent developments at the ADR conference of the Massachusetts Trial Court on June 28; (c) a workshop on collaborative law at the annual conference of the Association for Family and Conciliation Courts on May 18 in Seattle; (d) workshops on collaborative law at the annual Northwest ADR conference on April 29 in Seattle; (e) a one-day training on negotiation skills at MCLE on April 26, with co-trainers Chuck Doran and Melissa Manwaring; (f) a workshop on mediator qualification and credentialing at the annual conference of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution on April 15 in Los Angeles; and (g) a panel discussion on mediator certification for the Connecticut Bar Foundation on April 1 at Quinnipiac University School of Law.
BLC Member names 'Top 100' Massachusetts Lawyer
BLC Member David Hoffman was named one of the "Top 100" lawyers in Massachusetts in Boston Magazine's 2004 annual "SuperLawyers" list, and one of the top Mediators/Arbitrators. He and three other Mediators/Arbitrators in Massachusetts were also listed this year in the book, The Best Lawyers in America. He was the only Mediator/Arbitrator to be named on both lists. David is chair of the American Bar Association's Section of Dispute Resolution.
2003 News
Lynch Launches WorkWellTogether.com
In August 2003, BLC Affiliate Dina Beach Lynch's firm, Kisima Enterprises, Inc. launched its new web site: www.WorkWellTogether.com. The site provides an e-learning resource where HR professionals and others can feel safe to discuss ideas and strategies, explore differences, and gather meaningful wisdom regarding workplace issues.
Wolman Lectures in Prague
In July 2003, BLC Affiliate Richard Wolman presented his research paper, "Last Night I had the Strangest Dream: Rational Thought in Dreaming" (co-authored with R. Kozmova) at an international conference in Prague, Czech Republic.
Hoffman Elected to ABA Position
In August 2003, BLC Member David Hoffman became chair-elect of the American Bar Association's Section of Dispute Resolution. With 9,500 members (mostly mediators and arbitrators), the Section is one of the fastest growing entities in the ABA.
"Bringing Peace Into the Room" to be Released in September
On September 19, 2003, publisher Jossey-Bass Publishers will release the book Bringing Peace into the Room: How the Personal Qualities of the Mediator Impact the Process of Dispute Resolution, co-edited by Daniel Bowling and BLC Member David Hoffman.
"The Ethics and Use of Apology in Dispute Resolution"
On August 10, 2003, BLC Member David Hoffman gave a presentation at the American Bar Association annual meeting in San Francisco on the subject of apology and dispute resolution, along with four other panelists from around the country. The program was designated by the ABA as a presidential showcase event.