Effective Preparation for Mediation and Arbitration Preliminary Hearings: Perspectives of Neutrals and Parties
1 hour of CE for registered neutrals (GA) & pending 1 CLE hour for Georgia attorneys, including 1 trial hour
Session Information
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This session explores the critical elements of preparing for mediation and arbitration preliminary hearings, offering insights from the perspectives of both neutrals and parties. Participants will learn how to align procedural expectations, effectively communicate case priorities, and collaborate to create a framework for an efficient and fair resolution. Emphasis will be placed on understanding the unique roles of neutrals and parties, anticipating procedural and substantive challenges, and ensuring compliance with administrative rules and best practices. Designed for legal professionals, mediators and arbitrators, this session provides actionable strategies to enhance preparation and success in the preliminary hearing process.
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In-person attendees can join Effective Preparation for Mediation and Arbitration Preliminary Hearings: Perspectives of Neutrals and Parties in the Auditorium
2:15pm to 3:15pm
This session will be live-streamed to virtual attendees.
Iman Hyder-Eliz
Iman Hyder-Eliz is the Regional Vice President for the Construction Division covering the Southeast and Midwest regions. She joined the American Arbitration Association in 2017 as a Director of ADR Services for the AAA’s Commercial Division and joined the Construction Division in 2023 as a Vice President.
Iman is primarily responsible for administering Large Complex Cases, Panel Recruitment, Outreach and Education Initiatives both internally and externally at the AAA. Prior to joining the AAA she three years as a Family Law mediator and one year mediating Real Estate issues.
Angela Romero-Valedon, Esq.
Angela Romero-Valedón, Esq. joined the American Arbitration Association in 2016 as Director of ADR Services. She has been the Commercial Vice President of the Miami Regional office since November 2022. She oversees the Southeast Region comprising of North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Puerto Rico and the US Virgin Islands’ commercial division. In her role, she is responsible for regional outreach and advancing the use of ADR services. She is a Florida licensed attorney and a former Florida Supreme Court certified circuit court mediator.
Herbert H. (Hal) Gray III, Esq.
Herbert H. (Hal) Gray III is a highly respected construction arbitrator and mediator based in Atlanta, Georgia, with over 35 years of experience resolving complex construction, commercial, and real estate disputes. A Fellow and past president of the College of Commercial Arbitrators and a Fellow of the American College of Construction Lawyers, Hal has served on panels for the American Arbitration Association, ICDR, and CPR. He has handled a wide range of disputes involving owners, contractors, design professionals, and sureties across diverse projects, including hospitals, infrastructure, and high-rise developments. A graduate of Emory University School of Law and the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, he is also a frequent lecturer and writer in the field and was honored with the Justice Harold G. Clarke Award by the Georgia Supreme Court Commission on Dispute Resolution in 2020.
Erika Birg, Esq.
Erika Birg is an equity partner at Nelson Mullins in Atlanta, where she leads the Trade Secret & Employee Mobility Practice Group and handles complex business disputes nationwide. She also serves as an arbitrator on the AAA’s Large and Complex Case Panel. A former federal clerk, she is admitted in GA, FL, and DC, and has been recognized by Best Lawyers in America as a “Top 50 Women” Georgia Super Lawyer.
Full Agenda
The program will run from 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM (full agenda outlined below)
Those attending via livestream will not have access to view sessions presented in Room A, but will have access to a recording of these sessions (and all others) during the month of December (2025). Those attending the conference in person will have a choice between three breakout sessions, held at 10:00 AM, 1:00 PM, and 2:15 PM. Like livestream attendees, a recording of all sessions will be available to in-person attendees for the month of December (2025).
Time
7:30 am - 8:30 am
8:30 am - 8:45 am
8:45 am - 9:45 am
9:45 am - 10:00 am
10:00 am - 11:00 am
10:00 am - 11:00 am
11:00 am - 11:15 am
11:15 am - 12:15 pm
12:15 pm - 1:00 pm
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
1:00 pm - 2:00 pm
2:00 pm - 2:15 pm
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
2:15 pm - 3:15 pm
3:15 pm - 3:30 pm
3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
4:30 pm
4:30 pm
Session(s)
Registration & Breakfast
Welcome and Program Overview
Break
Art & Science of Curiosity in Difficult Convos
Break
Lunch & Award Presentation
Working with Parties w/Behavior Health Challenges
Break
Effective Preparation for Med./Arb. Prelim Hearings
Break
Professionalism and the Role of Civility
Closing
Continuing Education Information
Effective Preparation for Med./Arb. Preliminary Hearings is approved for 1 hour of CE for registered neutrals (GA) & 1 hour of CLE for Georgia attorneys, including 1 trial hour (pending).
The total conference is approved for 6 hours of CE for registered neutrals and is approved by the State Bar of Georgia for 6 CLE hours, including trial, ethics, and professionalism credit.
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All CE for neutrals registered with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution will be automatically applied by December 1.
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Georgia Attorneys who purchase the appropriate ticket option will have CLE hours automatically reported to the State Bar of Georgia. The fee for CLE hours is included in the ticket price.
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Attorneys from states other than Georgia: Upon request, we will be happy to assist you with needed documentation to self-report hours to your local State Bar. Please reach out to us at adrinstitute@georgiacourts.gov.
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