The Alternative Newsletter July 1998 James B. Boskey, editor Contents News from the ADR Front President Clinton recently sent a memo to all executive departments and agencies in an effort to encourage the use of ADR calling for an internal effort for the government to operate in a more efficient and effective manner. The President directed the creation of An Alternative Dispute Resolution Working Group headed by the Attorney General and comprised of the Cabinet Departments and, other agencies the Attorney-General decides have a significant interest in dispute resolution.
Detailed statistics are available.
The largest numbers of cases involved construction, insurance coverage, malpractice, contract, environmen tal clean-up, and personal injury and employment disputes. The Hewlett Foundation, which has been one of the major funders of ADR, has been encouraging the membership groups which it supports to explore various forms of convergence, partnership, or merger. They feel that the field cannot support, nor the Foundation underwrite, the activities of so many organizations. Erika B. Gray has resigned as Executive Director of the Academy of Family Mediators to return to full-time private practice. The American Arbitration Association has promoted Harry Kaminsky to Vice President - Neutrals' Education.