exCitiNgYearaHeaDFormeDiatioNaNDarBitratioNseCtioN
Mediation & Arbitration Section Chairs : JerryAlbrecht – AlbrechtMediation & AmberBoles – BolesLawOffice
ourrequesttoyouis , please becomeinvolved . together wecancontinuetolearn , train , andleadoursectionand , inturn Florida ’ smediationpractices .
As the new HCBA year begins , we would like to extend a warm welcome to our colleagues and friends , both new and old ! We are the new co-chairs of the Mediation and Arbitration section . We both come from diverse backgrounds , with Amber as a Certified Marital and Family Law Mediator and Jerry as a Certified Circuit Mediator and Qualified Arbitrator .
We would like to thank our predecessor , Harold oehler , for his innovative and energetic leadership of our section over the last two years and his continued assistance with our future efforts . Harold was instrumental in collaborating with the chairs of the Trial and Litigation section , working with the Hillsborough County Bar in compiling and publishing the Florida Mediation Best Practices Handbook , both the First and second Editions , and curating the Litigator Mediator Forum . We aspire to carry on in Harold ’ s footsteps by continuing to support both projects . over the next year , we plan to coordinate a number of programs and other opportunities for the section . Additionally , we look forward to unveiling the most recent edition of the Florida
Mediation Best Practices Handbook and to host several CLE events on topics such as family law mediation , best arbitration practices , and improving negotiation skills . Additionally , we intend to host several CLE events on a number of topics such as family law mediation , best arbitration practices , and improving negotiation skills .
Inspired by Amber ’ s involvement , we would like to greatly enhance family law mediators ’ involvement in our section .
We also realize that it is often very difficult for busy mediators to break away for lunch meetings as many practitioners book mediations that span an entire day , or schedule back-to-back mediations in a single day . To that end , our goal is to facilitate programs and social events for “ after hours ” to ensure more practitioners are able to attend and network with one another .
This year we endeavor to build a Pro Bono Mediation roster of people willing to mediate cases pro bono . We would like this roster to include mediators for all topical areas . However , we would like to specifically enhance the Federal Court mediators and mediators that work with the Hillsborough County Housing stability Program to develop no-cost virtual mediations to assist landlords and
tenants in settling their disputes expeditiously and outside the normal court process . Additional information on the Pro Bono Mediation roster is forthcoming . In closing , we would like to encourage each of you to actively participate in the section this year . There will be a number of opportunities to get involved in the programs , events , CLE courses , and other efforts of the section . Hillsborough County is the cradle of Florida ’ s mediation and arbitration practices . The Best Practices Handbook literally started here and is now the beacon of best practices across the state . We have so much talent advancing through our local system . This is especially true in the developing arbitration practice . our request to you is , please become involved . With each of you supporting this section , all of us benefit . Together we can continue to learn , train , and lead our section and in turn , Florida ’ s mediation practices .
Please contact either Amber Boles ( amber @ boleslawoffice . com ) or Jerry Albrecht ( galbrecht @ albrechtmediation . com ) to get involved . n
Authors : Jerry Albrecht – Albrecht Mediation & Amber Boles – Boles Law Office
4 4 S E P T - O C T 2 0 2 2 | H C B A L A W Y E R