Since court approval, the Grievance Mediation Committee has been busy overseeing the implementation of the program and fine-tuning the program to meet the needs of Bar members and the public. The committee approved grievance mediators to serve in the program. The mediator application form and the mediation and exit survey forms were revised to take into account issues learned through the ongoing experience of the program.
Policies continue to be developed and modified to enhance the administration of the program.
Several issues have been addressed this year, including training of new mediators, co-mediation during the training process, record retention, and the issue of mediators or mediator applicants who have been disciplined or are the subject of grievance complaints. Additionally, the committee is looking into the possible use of law school volunteers to assist in the administration of the program. The committee is analyzing the present and anticipated needs of the program for long-term planning. We will be making recommendations to the Board of Governors for consideration, including staffing issues, analysis of the experience to date of the program, the types of cases referred to mediation, and several possible modifications to make the program even more beneficial to Florida Bar members and our clients. My thanks to the members of the committee and the Florida Bar staff for their hard work to enhance the grievance mediation program and to maximize the benefits which may be realized from the program.