Dispute Resolution Section
The WSBA Dispute Resolution Section promotes the informed use and best practices for all dispute resolution processes in Washington. Whether mediating, arbitrating or negotiating, every lawyer is a dispute resolution professional. The section is home to many attorneys who are also members of other sections.
The Dispute Resolution Section welcomes and encourages participation of all dispute resolution professionals. You don’t have to be a lawyer or a member of WSBA. This is the community for all dispute resolution professionals: mediators, arbitrators, and lawyers representing and advising their clients.
The Section provides benefits to members by participating in legislative activities that relate to dispute resolution and undertakes projects aimed at increasing the availability and quality of dispute resolution services throughout the state. The Section also sponsors an annual meeting, and provides other dispute resolution educational programs, including co-sponsorship of the annual Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference.
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The Dispute Resolution Section offers many resources and benefits for members. On this page you will find information about the section, their upcoming events and offerings, as well as information about the section's executive committee.
Upcoming Programs
Application Portal for Executive Committee Elections Open!
Election season is here! If you are interested in applying to serve on your section's executive committee, head over to the Dispute Resolution Section Election Page to see a list of open positions and how to apply.
If you have any questions, please email sections@wsba.org.
NEW Webinar! Room, Zoom, or Both for Mediation and Arbitration?
Developed in partnership with the WSBA Dispute Resolution Section
Learn the practical and strategic pros and cons among in-person, virtual, and hybrid formats for mediation and arbitration. This webinar explores the strengths, challenges, and limitations of each format, offering practical guidance on helping clients/parties choose the formatt most effective and most comfortable for them and their situation. Attendees will also learn best practices for navigating technology, managing party dynamics, and checklists for virtual mediation sessions and arbitration witness examinations.
When: April 22, 2026
Time: Noon–1:30 p.m. PDT
Credits: 1.50 Law & Legal Procedure
Section Information
What We Do
The Dispute Resolution Section connects professionals with relevant dispute resolution resources and information:
- Educational presentations for both neutrals and advocates
- Unsurpassed networking opportunities with other dispute resolution professionals
- Cost-effective CLE credits in dispute resolution
Webinars
On-Demand Seminar! Early Family Mediation (Legal LunchboxTM Series July 2023)
Early family mediation is a powerful tool to assist divorcing spouses in planning their separation and creating their settlement. In this seminar, we will learn about this practice area with seasoned practitioners.
Original Program Date: July 25, 2023
Credits: 1.50 Law & Legal Procedure
Check out the CLE Store On-Demand page for more information or to take the seminar!
Resolving Common Interest Community Disputes — Without Litigation
Developed in partnership with the WSBA Dispute Resolution Section
Watch the Video (two hours)
Please Note: If you do not have a Bar number, please enter "N/A" into the Bar number field.
Faculty:
Margo Keller, Washington Arbitration and Mediation Service, Seattle
Mary B. Reiten, Peryea Silver Taylor, Seattle
Paula Emery,
WSBA Dispute Resolution Section, Seattle
Please note this archive recording is not accredited for CLE credit.
Executive Committee
Chair: Paula Emery (2024-2026) Vice Chair: Donna Lurie (2025-2026) Immediate Past Chair: Courtland Shafer (2024-2026) Secretary: Vacant (2025-2026) Treasurer: Courtland Shafer (2024-2025) New Member Liaison: Julia Doherty (2025-2027) Board of Governors Liaison*: Allison Widney (2025-2026) *Nonvoting member | At-Large Members: Melissa Fuller (2023-2026) Advisors*: |
Executive Committee Meetings
The Dispute Resolution Section Executive Committee conducts meetings on the fourth Friday of each month, beginning at noon and concluding by 1:30 p.m.
Executive Committee meetings are currently being conducted by teleconference only. You may attend virtually by following this link to the Zoom Meeting, or by calling 253-215-8782 and using passcode 366737. Please contact committee members for any other details on their upcoming meetings.
Join Our List Serve
The DR Section list serve is a great way to connect with your fellow dispute resolution professionals. Members on the list serve are now able to post directly to the list serve. In order to foster a welcoming and productive environment, the DR Section Executive Committee has adopted general list serve guidelines and section-specific list serve guidelines. To join the section list serve and for general section questions, please send your email address and Bar number to sections@wsba.org. If you are a conflict resolution professional in Washington State who is not eligible to join WSBA, become a member of our Conflict Resolution Practitioners Discussion Group to keep up to date on section activities.
