September 7, 2023

The New York State Dispute Resolution Association Announces New Advisory Board to Bolster Its Operations and Impact 

ALBANY, NY – The New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA), a non-profit organization that serves as the statewide association for professionals and organizations involved in dispute resolution and conflict management announced the establishment of its inaugural Advisory Board. This new board, consisting of five appointed members skilled in various cross-sections of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), marks a pivotal step forward for NYSDRA in its pursuit of excellence and innovation in the field of ADR. Comprised of esteemed leaders and highly accomplished individuals who bring a wealth of expertise from diverse sectors, the Advisory Board will provide NYSDRA with valuable research, grounded knowledge, and objective insights in a wide range of areas, advancing its impact on and vision for the field of ADR. 

The Advisory Board will be chaired by the Honorable Lawrence Marks, former Chief Administrative Judge of New York State. As Chief Administrative Judge, he oversaw the day-to-day operation of the statewide court system, with a budget of over $3 billion, and more than 16,000 judges and nonjudicial employees in over 300 locations across the state. Retiring in 2022, Marks brings over 30 years of key management, policy, and legal experience in the court system to his presiding seat on the Advisory Board. 

Advisory Board Chair, Judge Marks said, “NYSDRA provides invaluable services to New Yorkers across the state in resolving conflicts outside of the traditional courtroom process and, more generally, in advocating for increased and more effective use of ADR. ADR plays a critical role in resolving a wide range of disputes and there is a real need to expand and strengthen that role in the years to come. I am so pleased to chair this new Advisory Board and work together to support and grow NYSDRA’s vital participation in these efforts.” 

The Advisory Board’s additional members include T. Andrew Brown, past president of the New York State Bar Association (NYSBA) and former Vice-Chancellor of the New York State Board of Regents; Courtney Bryan, Executive Director of the non-profit Center for Justice Innovation; Ross Kartez, past Chair of the State Bar’s Dispute Resolution section; and Dr. Maria Volpe, professor of sociology at John Jay College of Criminal Justice and Director of the Dispute Resolution Center at the City University of New York (CUNY). Each member brings a depth of expertise in dispute resolution, justice-centered work, and court-related processes to the Advisory Board. 

NYSDRA Board of Directors President, Dr. Bernie Tracy, said, “The Advisory Board brings together a dynamic group of thought leaders who share NYSDRA's dedication to promoting alternative dispute resolution methods. With their support, we are poised to create innovative solutions that advance justice and equity. I am proud of all that NYSDRA has achieved since its inception and with the Advisory Board, chaired by Judge Marks, I am confident that we can build upon this work to serve more New Yorkers in the future.” 

NYSDRA Executive Director, Theresa Hobbs, expressed her enthusiasm for the newly formed advisory board, stating, “The establishment of our Advisory Board marks an exciting milestone for NYSDRA and serves as a testament to NYSDRA's commitment to advancing innovative and effective dispute resolution practices across the state. We are honored to have Judge Marks and this exceptional group of individuals join us in shaping the future of dispute resolution in New York State. Their insights and guidance will be invaluable as we seek to expand our impact and reach, while elevating the important work of our programs and partners. I look forward to working with the Advisory Board in the months and years ahead as we reinvigorate our efforts to empower and support individuals, organizations, and communities to effectively manage and resolve conflict.” 

The announcement of the Advisory Board comes after another successful year of NYSDRA managing state and federal programs in partnership with its member network of 20 Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) serving all 62 New York State counties. During the 2022-2023 fiscal year, NYSDRA provided community legal education to over 330,000 individuals and 53,499 individuals were served by the CDRC network (over 30,000 of which were direct court referrals from judicial districts). The Advisory Board will play an integral role, collaborating closely with NYSDRA's leadership to develop strategic initiatives, foster partnerships, and provide guidance on emerging trends in dispute resolution. 

For media inquiries or further information about NYSDRA's Advisory Board, please visit www.nysdra.org or email NYSDRA at info@nysdra.org. 

About the New York State Dispute Resolution Association (NYSDRA): NYSDRA is one of New York’s leading organizations in advocating for ADR. It is also the professional association of individual ADR practitioners and a statewide network of 20 Community Dispute Resolution Centers (CDRCs) located throughout New York State, providing low-to-no cost services in all 62 counties. In lieu of costly and often protracted litigation, NYSDRA’s programs offer opportunity for conflict resolution in a wide range of subject areas faced by many New Yorkers, particularly lower-income New Yorkers, including family, youth, disability services, property, and community disputes. NYSDRA’s programs and CDRC-based conflict resolution services are available and accessible throughout New York State in rural, suburban, and urban areas – and, in most cases, lead to improved relationships, communication, and expanded access to resources. 

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