2025 Dispute Resolution Symposium – A Day for All Lawyers who try Cases and the Neutrals who Help Resolve Them
Date: Nov 6, 2025 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Location: New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick, and Online
Member Price: $177.00
Non-Member Price: $209.00
Section Price: $157.00
Areas of Law: Dispute Resolution
Earn up to 7 credits, including 1.2 in Diversity! (More Information)
Keynote
- Dr. Julien Musolino
- Professor, Cognitive Scientist, Rutgers University
Moderator
- Yvette Gibbons, Esq.
- Chair, New JerseySBA Dispute Resolution Section
Employment Compliance Strategies, LLC, South Orange
Presenters
- Hon. Mary F. Thurber, J.S.C. (Ret.)
- Pashman Stein Walder Hayden
- Robert E. Bartkus, Esq.
- Anselmi & Carvelli LLP, Morristown
- Dean L. Burrell, Esq.
- Arbitrator-Mediator, Burrell Dispute Resolution, Morristown
- Michelle M. Cresti, Esq.
- Macce & Cresti, Clinton
- Joseph J. Hocking, Esq.
- Law Office of Joseph J. Hocking LLC, Denville
- Anthony P. Sciarrillo, Esq
- Sciarrillo Law Group, Cranford
This important symposium focuses on two important facts: 1. Most cases settle 2. We want our clients to be happy with the outcome.
This one-day seminar will bring together attorneys from both sides of the aisle, providing a unique opportunity for open discussions about the expectations, successful strategies and experiences in ADR from different perspectives. Join plaintiff and defense lawyers, mediators and arbitrators and in-house counsel as you come away with practical, up-to-the-minute information you can immediately put to use in your practice.
This year’s program features a keynote address by Dr. Julien Musolino, who will talk about how to use cognitive science to win before - or instead of - trial.
Program Ageda:
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9:00 | Welcome from the Chair - Yvette Gibbons, Esq.
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9:05 | The Science of Staying Out of Court – How to Be the Cognitive Litigator
- Keynote Presentation by Dr. Julien Musolino
In today’s legal landscape where over 90% of cases resolve before trial, effective pre-trial strategy is paramount. Yet, attorneys predominantly rely on intuition and accumulated experience to navigate this critical phase. This often leaves significant strategic advantages on the table. When we rely on a hunch, we miss the critical opportunity to gain an advantage by systematically applying the wealth of insights that cognitive science provides to our cases.In this cutting-edge program, Dr. Julien Musolino introduces a novel framework to optimize pre-trial strategy. By customizing and integrating core principles from behavioral economics, cognitive psychology, data science and decision science, litigators will learn how to build upon their own expertise with a more precise, quantitative, and bias-proof approach. The program will specifically focus on applying these new tools to ADR, thereby transforming mediation and settlement outcomes to deliver maximum client value.
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10:05 | Pre-Litigation Mediation
How do you avoid expensive litigation yet obtain satisfaction for your clients? If you are a neutral, what are important points to keep in mind that will help the parties reach a settlement? Experienced advocates and neutrals will address this and examine some best practices in particular areas of law. This will include pre-litigation mediation for in-house counsel. -
10:55 | Break
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11:05 | The Business of Dispute Resolution – How to Set Up a Practice and Succeed
Successful advocates and neutrals need a solid business behind them. This segment will look at setting up a business, best practices and options so you can choose what is right for you. Topics include company formation, insurance needs, ideas and procedures for marketing success, how to amass value so you can get the highest price when you’re ready to sell, cyber security and successful strategies to maximize revenue such as handling mass arbitrations. -
12:10 | Lunch
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12:40 | Breakout Session – Choose from Two
- The Growing Area of Employment and Labor Law, and ADR – Tactics for Successful Mediation
- Dispute Resolution in Construction Law
- 1:20 | Breakout Sessions – Choose from Two
- Dispute Resolution in Family Law
- Dispute Resolution in Commercial Law
- 1:50 | Legal Updates on Arbitration and Mediation
- 2:20 | Break
- 2:30 | Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Their Story – Cultural Competency and Ethics in Dispute Resolution.
Earn your diversity and ethics credits.
- 4:00 | Adjourn
Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.
Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:
- The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
- Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.
Stay Informed:
Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.
Media Consent:
By participating in our events, meetings, or other gatherings, you agree to be photographed and/or recorded. Additionally, all media content captured during these gatherings will become the property of NJSBA. This content, including your image and name, may be used in our future promotional materials without additional consent or compensation.
Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/