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Cobb Mediation, LLC is now The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. More information We will be closed on November 27, 28, December 25, 26 for the holidays. We are proud to introduce Christopher Annunziata as the newest member of our Panel of Neutrals. Mr. Annunziata (A-nun-zi-ata) is an attorney who litigated commercial, employment, insurance coverage and corporate matters at a major international law firm prior to opening a full time mediation and arbitration practice. See our latest findings: Empirical Analysis of Mediation Comments are welcome. The Historic Anderson Mansion will be a featured destination on this year's Marietta Pilgrimmage Christmas Home Tour and will be the site of this year’s Marietta Olde Marietta Tearoom. Visit us Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm. We recently hosted a special event for Marietta's Strand Theater. Attendees were treated to a preview of the restored Strand Theater and an opportunity to buy season tickets before they went on sale to the general public. See photographs of Strand Event. The Center for Legal Solutions Director Barry Edwards' Article on Comprehensive Arbitration of Domestic Relations Cases in Georgia appears in the latest issue of the Georgia Bar Journal. These web sites offer more information about mediation: Justice Center of Atlanta Mediator Blah Blah: Frequently updated blog by New Zealand mediator with interesting, sometimes humorous insights. More ADR links

About the Author: This research report on Opportunities in the ADR Field in Georgia was compiled by Jennifer Matte. Ms. Matte is Vermont Law School graduate. During law school, she completed an externship with the Consortium for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. Her work with The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. has primarily focused on the emergence of specializations within the ADR community. Questions and comments regarding this research may be directed to jmatte@vermontlaw.edu. See State and Local Requirements for: General Civil Mediation Domestic Relations Mediation Arbitration Early Neutral / Case Evaluation Continuing Requirements Opportunities in Transformative Mediation NOTE: Transformative mediation is a unique approach to mediation. Specialization in transformative mediation can be accomplished through specific training programs instructing mediators to recognize and understand transformative concepts What is the scope of the program? What is being mediated? In the transformative framework, conflict is viewed from its role in human interaction rather than a discrepancy or rights and wrongs rooted in legal claims When the balance of concern for oneself is unequal to the balance of connections with others, the interaction is seen as conflicted and can lead to alienated and destructive patterns crisis in human interaction The concept of transformation suggests that people have the capacity to regain their footing and shift back to a restored sense of confidence in themselves as well as an openness to others (empowerment shift and recognition shift) The transformation that takes place is a transformation of the interaction Who administers the program? Who is the director and what is their title? Framework developed by the Institute for the Study of Conflict Transformation What are the requirements for training in order to mediate these disputes? How much experience is suggested or required? Institute certifies mediators and lists them as eligible for participation in any rosters sponsored by the institute Certification is based on completion of a Summative Assessment Process Competence is seen as “the ability to act consistently and reflectively in a way that supports the parties’ efforts at conflict transformation Mediator must be comfortable with conflict, including strong emotion and interactions between the parties that appear hostile or negatively charged. Mediators should focus on the parties’ moment-by-moment interactions, attending to empowerment and recognition opportunities that appear, always willing to relinquish problem solving and control of the process. Additional Information on State Requirements: Georgia Supreme Court ADR Rules, Appendix B: Requirements for Training and Qualification of Neutrals Ethics Information from the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Neutral Registration: From the GCDR State Approved Training Programs: Indexed by Type of Training Additional Information on Local Requirements: Clayton Judicial Circuit ADR Rules: See Rule 6: Qualification of Neutrals Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Mediator Qualifications for Certification Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Case Evaluator Qualifications Dekalb County Dispute Resolution Program Policies and Procedure Gwinnett ADR Program Internal Operating Procedures See Rule 1.5: Neutral Qualifications 6th JAD ADR Program Rules and Procedures: See Rule 9: Neutral Qualifications 7th Judicial Administrative District: Mediator Qualifications 9th Judicial Administrative District ADR Rules See Rule 5: Neutral Qualifications for Service in the Program

The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. 65 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, Georgia 30064 Phone: 770-693-3470   Fax: 770-419-4464