Events & Trainings
New York State Lemon Law Arbitration Training
Presented by John O'Malley & The New York State Attorney General's Office
October 27-28, 2026
9:00AM - 4:30PM
Virtually via Zoom
(Registration details to be announced soon!)
NYSDRA is proud to announce its 2026 Lemon Law Arbitration Training to be held October 27 & 28, 2026! This training is for Community Dispute Resolution Center (CDRC) staff and affiliates to become newly trained in Lemon Law arbitration or to "refresh" their existing training skills in this area. This training is also open to the public for those who wish to become certified Lemon Law arbitrators in New York State! CLE credits will also be offered for this training for qualifying attorneys!
NYSDRA members will also receive a discount for this training!
Day One of the training will include a morning presentation with the New York State Attorney General's Office. Kris Manzur and Melvin Goldberg will discuss the New York State Attorney General's Lemon Law Arbitration Program, the types of cases they manage, the origins of the Lemon Law and what the Lemon Law covers.
After lunch, Lemon Law arbitrator John O'Malley will discuss general arbitration proceedings, forms of arbitration, documents required for arbitration, note taking and other general concepts related to arbitration.
Day Two of the training will begin with a second presentation from John. He will discuss the general arbitration process as it relates to Lemon Law, remedies for consumers in Lemon Law cases, settlement agreements, vehicle inspections and test drives.
After lunch, John will return to discuss the challenges with Lemon Law arbitrations, remedies for either party under CPLR Article 75, Lemon Law process deadlines and other crucial components of Lemon Law arbitration.
Lastly, NYSDRA's Lemon Law Arbitration Program Manager, Don Raiano, will discuss the case management process at NYSDRA, the case filing procedures, Lemon Law case fees, CDRC involvement, modification requests and award calculations.
This year’s training will feature several topics including:
- Lemon Law Concepts & Coverage
- General Arbitration Proceedings
- Challenges with Lemon Law Arbitrations
- Article 75 & Legal Remedies
- The Lemon Law Case Management Process at NYSDRA
- Award Calculations & Modifications
About the Lemon Law Arbitration Trainer
John O'Malley is a seasoned Arbitrator with over a decade of experience in the NY Lemon Law Program, handling cases involving various vehicles including motorcycles, RVs, and wheelchairs. He also serves as an Arbitrator for Attorney/Client Fee Disputes under Part 137 and as a Community Mediator with the DRC of Hudson Valley.
Before becoming a neutral, John spent over 35 years representing workers in labor disputes, starting his career with a telephone workers' union. His work focused on contract enforcement and labor law, requiring deep understanding of contract language, intent, and evolution. Trained at Cornell’s School of Labor and Industrial Relations, he later became a trainer himself, helping others advocate effectively for workers.
John transitioned into negotiating contracts for public sector employees, allowing him to shape agreements and understand them from both the labor and management perspectives—skills that now inform his arbitration work. During this time, he earned a degree in communications and organizational leadership, was elected president of the local Central Labor Council, and served as Legislative and Political Director, writing and interpreting policy and legislation.
His exposure to arbitration and mediation led him to pursue formal training, initially mediating in court and community settings. He was later recruited into the NY Lemon Law arbitration program, where he also trains new arbitrators. With broad experience and ongoing professional development, John continues to refine his skills in both mediation and arbitration, helping parties reach fair and lasting resolutions.
Division of Alternative Dispute Resolution Volunteer Appreciation Event
Presented by EAC Network
July 28, 2026
12:00PM - 3:00PM
The Library Café
Farmingdale, New York
This year, EAC Network will gather to celebrate the volunteers whose dedication, compassion, and service have helped shape the story of mediation across our communities. Together, we will reflect on the many chapters we have written, honor the impact of our volunteer mediators, and look ahead to the next chapter as we begin a new contract with the New York State Court System on July 1, 2026.
Most importantly, this event is an opportunity to thank the volunteers who make this work possible. Your commitment to helping others navigate conflict has made a meaningful difference in the lives of countless individuals, families, and community members.
Additional details will be shared soon. Please email us at ADRTraining@eac-network.org with any questions.
Please complete the RSVP form by Friday, July 10 to let us know whether you will be attending:
The RSVP form can be found here.
Basic Mediation Training with Courtney Chicvak, Esq.
July 20-24, 2026
9:00 - 4:00 all 5 days
Price: $1,475
Held at EAC Network - Long Island Dispute Resolution Center
Long Island, NY
NYSDRA is pleased to offer Basic Mediation Training at EAC Network in Long Island, NY!
LIDRC’s Basic Mediation Training is certified by the National Association for Community Mediation (NAFCM) as a Community Mediation Center mediation training. Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers’ (LIDRC) Basic Mediation Training provides participants with an overview of the skills and knowledge related to the practice of facilitative mediation. The course content incorporates foundational principles of conflict resolution, negotiation, and mediation. After completing the Basic Mediation Training, participants are eligible to apply for Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers’ Mediator Apprenticeship program.
About the Training:
The Training Institute at both Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers offers programming to enhance the skills and knowledge of our mediators and those interested in conflict resolution to support the communities in Nassau and Suffolk counties. In addition, the Training Institute provides an Apprenticeship Program, where mediator apprentices gain experience working on actual cases under supervision and receive practical feedback to improve their mediation skills.
About the Trainer:
Courtney Chicvak, Esq. is the Director of Alternative Dispute Resolution at Long Island Dispute Resolution Centers (LIDRC) and CEO at Courtney Anne Chicvak Mediation LLC. As an International Mediation Institute (IMI) Certified Mediator, she has served as a mediator in hundreds of disputes. An experienced educator, she is a Lecturer at Columbia University, an Associate Adjunct Professor at Grand Canyon University, an Online Instructor at Abilene Christian University, where she teaches conflict resolution courses. In addition, she is a Conflict Resolution Coach at several organizations. An attorney in New York, Courtney is a graduate of the School of Industrial and Labor Relations at Cornell University, the Negotiation and Conflict Resolution Master’s Program at Columbia University, and St. John’s University School of Law.
To learn more about the training and to register, click here.