Well . . . summer is now over, and if you are anything like the Division 1 members I have spoken with, you are now consumed with a backlog of zoom depositions and rescheduling of mediations and arbitrations. While it may have taken us (and the courts) a few months to get here, we are now embracing the change and improving our advocacy skills through the virtual platforms. It is stressful, exciting, (surprisingly) productive (sometimes), and yet (often) unpredictably inefficient.
In other parts of our country or with certain cases, in-person proceedings are picking up. I learned that two Division 1 legends have been engaging in in-person arbitration hearings with each other in recent weeks (sounds like a good upcoming Division 1 lunch program!).
At Division 1, we can discuss our experiences with each other during this time period of rapid change and come out of it all the stronger.
As dispute resolvers, Division 1 Members are resilient and, with our colleagues, will develop the best practices together to represent our clients in the best possible manner during the COVID era. Keep up the good work. If you want to share your experiences, contact me or another member of our Steering Committee and we can find a way to help you share your best practices (through this blog, a program, or some other mechanism).
I am excited to highlight and encourage your attendance at one upcoming program planned by Division 1 on October 20, 2020 at 5PM ET.
The Forum has a strong history of recruiting law student members. Pre-COVID, many of us visited our local law schools to talk about the practice of construction law and the benefits of joining the ABA Forum on Construction Law.
Division 1 (and The Dispute Resolver blog) is lucky to have Lexie Pereira (the Forum's law student division liaison) as an active member of our team. Along with Roy Wagner, the Forum's Membership Committee representative, Lexie and others from Division 1 have planned the Building Results: A Panel for Law Students Interested in Dispute Resolution & Construction Law for October 20th at 5-6:30 PM ET. It is our effort to virtually reach out to law students encouraging them to learn about the practice of construction law and the Forum.
The first half of the program will be a panel discussion led by four excellent Division 1 members of diverse practice areas and experience.
The second half will be a networking component. That is where we NEED YOUR HELP! This networking session will be an opportunity for you to meet law students who are interested in the practice of construction law, but also to network with your fellow Forum members.
Please also spread the word to your local construction bar associations and law schools!
If you have any questions or suggestions regarding the program, please contact me (rtdunn@pierceatwood.com).
Keep up the great work Division 1! If you are interested in getting more involved with our Division, please contact me.
Chair, Division 1 (Litigation & Dispute Resolution)
401-490-3418 (d)
rtdunn@PierceAtwood.com
