The State Bar of Michigan American Indian Law Section and the ADR Section's Diversity and Inclusion Action Team are co-sponsoring a virtual Diversity Lunch for mediators, arbitrators, other ADR practitioners, and members of the American Indian Law Section on Tuesday, April 5, from noon to 1 p.m. via Zoom.
There will be discussions of issues that face mediators, arbitrators, and other neutrals. Among the topics to be discussed are:
• What are the particular cultural interests that affect American Indian and Alaskan Native communities that ADR providers should consider?
• What can ADR providers learn from Tribal communities and court systems, and principles of peacemaking and restorative justice?
• How can we increase sensitivity to and awareness of diversity issues among mediators, arbitrators, and other neutrals?
• How do we increase the diversity of mediators, arbitrators, and other ADR providers?
• What is implicit bias and what can we do about it?
Presenters include:
• Lee Hornberger (ADR Section Diversity and Inclusion Action Team co-chair). Hornberger is a former chair of the ADR Section and has received the ADR Section's George N. Bashara, Jr. Award. He is a member of the Professional Resolution Experts of Michigan, LLC, and a Diplomate Member of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals. He is a Fellow of the American Bar Foundation.
• Lauren Mulhern (American Indian Law Section chair-elect). Mulhern is a federal Indian law attorney with Rosette LLP in Grand Rapids. She graduated from the University of Colorado Law School with certificates in American Indian Law and Energy, Environmental, and Natural Resources Law and Policy. She represents tribes, tribal members, and tribal businesses in environmental, commercial, and business litigation. She also represents tribal clients in Indian Child Welfare Act, probate, water, and inter-governmental affairs matters.
• Stacey L. Rock (SBM American Indian Law Section, law student advisor). Rock is a third-year law student in her last term at Western Michigan University Cooley Law School. She is the assistant court administrator/clerk of the courts for the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Tribal Court where she has worked for the past ten years. For the past nine years Rock has served as the support staff person for the Pokagon Band Peacemaking Program. She has also served her community for the last seven years as a member of the Curriculum Committee. Rock is a proud citizen of the Pokagon Band of Potawatomi Indians.
• Amy Wesaw (American Indian Law Section, chair- ex officio). Wesaw is a Michigan State University College of Law graduate with Indigenous Law and Child and Family Advocacy certificates. She currently serves as in-house counsel for the Nottawaseppi Huron Band of the Potawatomi. Wesaw is also the secretary for Anishinaabe Circle, a Grand Rapids urban Indian community outreach organization. She is a proud citizen of the Little River Band of Ottawa Indians.
• Moderator Shawntane Williams (ADR Section Council Member, and Diversity and Inclusion Action Team co-chair). Williams is a graduate of Wayne State University Law School. She is currently in private practice where she represents businesses and employers in labor and employment law, business law, and ADR matters. Williams is also an Arbitrator on AAA's Employment Law & Consumer Law Panels and a Mediator.
There is no cost for the virtual lunch. To register, visit https://connect.michbar.org/adr/home. After registering, attendees will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
For further information, contact Amy Wesaw at Amy.wesaw@nhbp-nsn.gov or 269-635-3531; or Shawntane Williams at sw@williamspllc.com or 248-436-2667.
