Professionalism and the Role of Civility in Dispute Resolution
1 hour of CE for registered neutrals (GA) & pending 1 CLE hour for Georgia attorneys, including 1 ethics hour and 1 professionalism hour
Session Information
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We all know that Georgia lawyers must practice ethically and uphold standards of professional conduct. At the same time, attorneys commit to representing their clients’ interests zealously and in search of optimal outcomes. How do attorneys, and neutrals in ADR settings, balance these responsibilities? Outside of the courtroom, away from judges and the public spotlight — whether negotiating to resolve cases informall or in mediation sessions, or even arbitrating — how do professionalism and civility impact our practices? What can advocates, mediators, and arbitrators do to allow lawyers to best represent their clients while also upholding our shared duties to the legal profession and its constituents?
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In Professionalism and the Role of Civility in Dispute Resolution, the speakers, both highly experienced mediators and arbitrators, will discuss professionalism in the context of mediation and negotiation and how practitioners might address professionalism issues that arise in those and related ADR settings. They present practical tools and tips tying professionalism standards to relatable ADR scenarios and actively engage the audience to promote an interactive, collective learning evnironment.
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In-person attendees can join Professionalism and the Role of Civility in Dispute Resolution in the Auditorium:
3:30pm to 4:30pm
This session will be live-streamed to virtual attendees.
Scott Zucker, Esq.
Scott Zucker is a Certified Mediator and Arbitrator with over 30 years of experience in business and commercial litigation, focusing on construction, real estate, employment, landlord-tenant, and franchise disputes. He has served as outside counsel to both private and public companies, handling contract, liability, and insurance claims, and is a past Chair of the Dispute Resolution Sections of both the Atlanta Bar and State Bar of Georgia. In 2024, he published The Mediation Minute: Insights in Alternative Dispute Resolution.
Douglas Witten, Esq.
Douglas J. Witten is a mediator, arbitrator, and author who has 28+ years of legal experience. He has mediated 1500+ cases since becoming a registered neutral in 2003 and offers dispute resolution services across areas including healthcare, commercial matters, injuries and accidents. Mr. Witten is Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia ADR Section and past Chair of the Atlanta Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section. He is author of The Stoic Negotiator™ newsletter and Time-Tested: The Stoic Negotiator’s Five Keys for the Modern Deal.
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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
Professionalism and the Role of Civility is approved for 1 hour of CE for registered neutrals (GA) & 1 hour of CLE for Georgia attorneys, including 1 ethics hour and 1 professionalism 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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