March, A Month to Celebrate California Mediation Week

In 2009 the California Judicial Council adopted a standing resolution recognizing the third week of March as Mediation Week (Proclamation).

Mediation is a method of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to assist parties in conflict to find creative ways to find solutions to their issues. With the help of an impartial and trained mediator, two or more parties can find collaborative ways to gain clarity, gain perspectives and find solutions to their issues before pursuing costly litigation options.

Mediation offers the public a valuable alternative to resolving disputes outside the traditional adjudication system. Mediation also provides attorneys with an impartial service they can afford to their clients to help mediate issues in controversy and mitigate high emotions. This, in turn, assists attorney's parties in not dragging on further litigation that could end up cost too much effort, time, and money.

Mediation Week is an opportune occasion to educate the public about the availability and benefits of mediation programs and to recognize the people who make those programs successful.

During the third week of March, many California courts, local governments, community dispute resolution programs, and private mediation organizations contribute in their efforts to hold events to inform the public about the availability and benefits of mediation programs, such as the court-connected mediation programs, and to acknowledge the mediators and others who make those programs possible.

Throughout the United States, every civil court offers mediation services or Day-of-Court mediation to the parties before they appear in front of the judge. Court-connected mediation programs are provided to the public free or at a low-cost. With the help of an impartial mediator, mediation allows parties with small claims to have an opportunity to mediate their issues in controversy and find a more suitable resolution, compared to what a judge could offer in the few minutes they hear the case.

Mediation is a cost-effective way to try to find solutions to conflict before pursuing costly litigation. In many instances, attorneys can also provide information and guidance as to how to find and work with a mediator.

For more information about California Mediation Week, you can visit https://www.courts.ca.gov/3077.htm

Biography

Yvette Durazo is the founder of Unitive Consulting, a leadership coaching, strategic conflict management, and consulting firm. She recently moved to San Jose, California to expand her opportunities to serve organizations with her unique educational background and capability. Yvette brings a strategic consulting and coaching perspective to finding unique solutions to complex business and organizational human relationship challenges.

Presently, Yvette served as an Executive Committee member for the Alameda County Bar Association, ADR Section. She is the former ADR Program Administrator for the Superior Court of California, Alameda County. She teaches course in HR, Medition and Diversity and Inclusiong for the UCSC Extension Silicon Valley and Portland State University. She is a former Core Adjunct Professor at National where she taught classes in Alternative Dispute Resolution, Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Communication. She is an active member of the Association for Conflict Resolution and International Coaching Federation.

Yvette’s academic background includes an M.A in Conflict Resolution, Negotiation, and Peacebuilding from California State Dominguez Hill; a B.A degree in International Business with an emphasis in Latin American Studies from San Diego State University.