NYC lawyers to battle bias, boost skills in upcoming ADR training sessions

November 30, 2023 Robert Abruzzese, Courthouse Editor

Domenick Napoletano, the president-elect of the NYS Bar Association, is the chair of the Brooklyn Bar Association’s local Part 137 Program.
Photo: Mario Belluomo/AP

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Lawyers in New York now have the opportunity to enhance their professional skills and serve their communities better through a series of new training programs.

The New York County Lawyers Association (NYCLA), in collaboration with the Statewide ADR Office, has scheduled full-day training sessions for new arbitrators. Additionally, anti-bias training sessions are available for current Part 137 roster arbitrators.

The upcoming online arbitrator training is a comprehensive full-day program. It is designed to equip trainees with essential arbitrator skills and includes live anti-bias training, supplemented by video and on-demand content.

Participants will engage in role plays to simulate real-world scenarios. Successful completion of this program qualifies participants to apply to local rosters.

Training dates are regionally grouped, with options available on January 29, February 9 and March 19 for various judicial districts. NYCLA will also host a pre-meeting for registrants to discuss training expectations.

In Brooklyn, it’s the Brooklyn Bar Association that administers the Part 137 program, ensuring local legal professionals have access to these valuable resources. Its training session is scheduled for January 29.

In addition to training for new arbitrators, the ADR Office is also offering six anti-bias training sessions for current Part 137 roster arbitrators, led by Theo Cheng, Esq. These sessions are integral to meeting the requirements of Administrative Order 124/22 and are capped at 24 participants each, which is meant to ensure a focused and effective learning environment.

Part 137 of the NYS Fee Dispute Resolution Program plays a crucial role in the legal community, offering a less formal atmosphere than a courthouse and quick resolution of fee disputes between attorneys and clients through arbitration and mediation.

Through these training programs, lawyers not only enhance their professional skills but also significantly contribute to the integrity and efficiency of New York’s legal system.