Dispute Resolution Center

The Dispute Resolution Center offers different things to different people, which makes it difficult to review. I struggled with this as I found highs and lows.
When I came to Austin, I was very focused on bringing mediation to my law practice. I have been a professional negotiator for most of my career and people depend on me to negotiate and to mediate difficult situations. I have negotiated some very complex and high-​dollar transactions. When I tried to join some of the Associations here, however, or tried to get placed on lists of mediators, I was told I needed a 40 hour certification class. I was told that the DRC gave a great class, so I signed up.
The class is expensive. About $ 1000 for a one-​week class. It is very good, however. The two women who run it are EXCELLENT. They are engaging and work very hard to teach a good curriculum. They give you a very strict structure on how to conduct a mediation. The folks at the DRC who help with the class are good to a varying degree. Some are better than others. On the last day, they briefly covered issues on associations. They also encouraged everyone to sign up as a volunteer with the DRC.
WIth my new certification, I then tried to get into the mediation organizations and join lists. I was told I needed x number of hours of recorded mediation experience ALONG with the class. Well, poop. I can’t get their «official» experience without getting on a bloody list or getting into an association, can I? So I thought I’d try to volunteer with the DRC. I filled out a fairly lengthy application, with resume, and with TWO written letters of recommendation. Then I heard nothing. For months. I called. Repeatedly. Left messages. Got no response. I became a pest. Then I was told that the volunteer coordinator will look at applications next month, but not to get my hopes up because they only take very experienced people and they already have hundreds of volunteers. Gee. Thanks for letting me know before I spent time asking people to write letters of recommendation for me.
I called again and was told that MAYBE, if they liked my application, I could sit in on a session. I was not given any encouragement. At all. I never did receive any response to my application.
The DRC offers free mediation sessions to the public. I think that this is a terrific thing and a fantastic service to the public.
I think that the class is great. If you are already working in a company that wants you to do mediations, you should ask them to send you to this training.
I think as a resource to mediators — not so helpful. I am pretty convinced that the vast majority of mediators in this town are pretty dead set against bringing anyone new into the fold. This organization is not supportive to people trying to get into the business or helping people other than people they already know. This is a real shame.