THE VOICE OF ADR
The California Dispute Resolution Council is unquestionably the most influential ADR organization in the State of California – perhaps in the nation – when it comes to politics and the judiciary.
CDRC’s mission is to: Develop, support, and influence legislation and public policies promoting effective and accessible conflict resolution services; promote high standards of conduct for Dispute Resolution neutrals; and, provide a forum for building consensus and implementing principles and policies affecting the practice of dispute resolution.
ADVOCATES
Simply, CDRC exists to uphold the integrity of alternative dispute resolution processes and to protect the livelihoods of the individuals and businesses engaged in delivering ADR services to their respective communities.
With a broad constituency that encompasses the entire ADR community coupled with a well-respected, full-time lobbyist, the CDRC is uniquely positioned. Not only is the CDRC able to effectively evaluate matters impacting the ADR industry, but we also manifest the capacity to effectively act.
INTEGRITY
Since our founding in 1992, the CDRC has reviewed and weighed in on more than 500 pieces of proposed legislation. Further, the organization has written Amicus briefs and has been influential in numerous seminal ADR-related cases including Foxgate, Rojas, Simmons, Armendariz, Eisendrath and many others. Finally, the CDRC has historically been quite effective as an industry watchdog, successfully fending off attacks from various sources such as proposals to eliminate confidentiality in mediation and taxation of neutrals to make up for budget shortfalls in the courts.
Despite our past successes, the future portends the need for CDRC’s activities more than ever. As ADR grows in usage and acceptability, there is an ever-increasing pool of legislators and members of the judiciary that seek to shape the industry to accomplish alternative goals and satisfy their own agendas. Our members firmly believe that the prevalence of ADR should continue to expand, but such growth should be accomplished properly and systematically, in a way that maintains the core tenets and benefits of what ADR is meant to be.
PROTECTORS
CDRC functions as the “anti-virus” for your ADR business. While you are actively engaged in your day to day ADR practice, the CDRC is constantly monitoring developments that could potentially destroy your business. From misinformation to poorly worded legislation, from unfortunate judicial decisions to funding cuts, the CDRC is the only real defense available to protect your ability to function and thrive.
Over the course of nearly two decades, our influence and impact have grown so that CDRC now weighs in on virtually every ADR related bill in Sacramento, writes amicus briefs for important cases (even some outside California), and regularly educates legislators, judges, and bureaucrats on ADR related issues.
The CDRC can be proactive as well as reactive. We have sought additional funding for community organizations, have initiated dialogs on threats and issues, and have used our position of legitimacy to collectively present the interests of our individual constituents. Our CDRC Principles serve as the efficacy model for numerous ADR organizations.
We protect your business by doing the things that individuals cannot, and by tackling the issues so you don’t have to.