Early Settlement Mediation Alternative Dispute Resolution System
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Welcome to Early Settlement Mediation!
Please click on the interactive map below to locate your regional program
Introduction
The Alternative Dispute Resolution System in Oklahoma is made up of thirteen (13) regional Early Settlement Mediation Centers (including one (1) municipal program) which provide FREE mediation services all 77 counties in Oklahoma. There are fourteen (14) State Agencies with programs offering specialized mediation services. The Alternative Dispute Resolution System was authorized (1983) and funded (1985) by the state legislature through the Oklahoma Dispute Resolution Act, 12 O.S. Supp. 1997, § 1801 et seq. The Administrative Director of the Courts administers and supervises the Alternative Dispute Resolution System through a designated, State Director, with the ongoing input of the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board.
Alternative Dispute Resolution System News and Happenings
Mediation Training!Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System, conducted a training for law interns and AOC staff recently at the Oklahoma Judicial Center. Margie Weaver, Court of Criminal Appeals Attorney, Lauren O’Brien, Associate State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System and Director of the Early Settlement – Oklahoma County program, and Brayden Love, Mediation Coordinator for the Oklahoma Corporation System assisted with coaching at the training.Happy Retirement Patti O!Patti Ormerod has been a friend to the Alternative Dispute Resolution System for over 30 years, coordinating mediation services in several state agencies. She truly believes in the peacemaking process and the opportunity for people to reach a resolution to their conflict(s). While sad to see Patti retire, we certainly wish her well on this next chapter of her life! (L to R) Phil Johnson, State Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution System, Patti Ormerod, honored retiree, Stacey Foster, Civil Service Division Director, & Brayden Love, Mediation Coordinator, Oklahoma Corporation Commission.Municipal Court Clerks Association! State Director, Phil Johnson, spoke recently to a large group of attendees at the Oklahoma Municipal Court Clerks Conference on the campus of Oklahoma State University in Stillwater. The topic was on dispute resolution and how municipalities can utilize the FREE services of Early Settlement Mediation or set-up their own municipal mediation program. So many conflicts that happen in our communities can be resolved outside of court, if the disputants will just sit down with a mediator!Statewide 2024 Volunteer of the Year! Russ Cochran is an Alabama native who lives in Midwest City, Oklahoma with his wife Jeannie. Russ is a military veteran and (semi-retired) attorney practicing in the state of Oklahoma. Russ has been a volunteer mediator with Early Settlement since 2022 and in addition to serving as a mediator, he fills the role of friend, mentor, and comedian. Russ serves on the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board representing retired citizen organizations. He has been a volunteer mediator for 3 years and has mediated 280 cases. Russ has volunteered over 642 hours to the Early Settlement – Oklahoma County Program.40 Years of Service! Ted Roberts has been involved with the Alternative Dispute Resolution System for over 40 years in some capacity. Ted has served on the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board since 1988 and prior to that he was instrumental in building the framework for the statewide Early Settlement Mediation program. During his time as the City of Norman Municipal Judge Ted promoted the use of the Early Settlement program. Ted truly has a servant’s heart and has served many years as the Chairman of the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board. Early Settlement Volunteer Mediator Conference! The Volunteer Mediator Conference was held recently at Metro Technology in Oklahoma City. It’s an annual event that brings volunteer mediators from across Oklahoma together for a day of learning, food, & fellowship. The Early Settlement Directors are instrumental in organizing and help making the event successful each year. (L to R Back Row) Tim Scott, Stacey Foster, Tylnn Childress, LeiLani Armstrong, Julie Easley, Jay Irby, Stacy Horner, & Ever Vidana. (L to R Front Row) Sarah Head, Phil Johnson, Jorjia Cash, Lauren O’Brien, Regan Glinton, Maggie Griffith, & Jaxie Johnston. A special thanks to Jaxie, Sarah, & Jorji for their hard work on the photo booth backdrop! Oklahoma Bar Journal Publication! The March issue of the Oklahoma Bar Journal features an article about the Alternative Dispute Resolution System and the Early Settlement Mediation Programs written by State Director, Phil Johnson. Also included in the issue are articles by two (2) other Early Settlement Mediation Volunteer Mediators, former Judge Jequita Napoli and Mike Mayberry, Executive Director of the Oklahoma Ag Mediation Program. Here is the link for the Alternative Dispute Resolution article: https://www.okbar.org/barjournal/march-2025/early-settlement-mediation/Dispute Resolution Advisory Board! Oklahoma Supreme Court Justice Yvonne Kauger administered the loyalty oath of office to the fiscal year 2025 Dispute Resolution Advisory Board recently. The 15-member board is made up of representatives from various state agencies, the judiciary, law enforcement, and community groups and serve in an advisory capacity to the State Director and the courts leadership. Directors’ Summit! It’s always great to kick-off the new fiscal year with the Early Settlement team members from across the state. The Early Settlement Mediation program, a program supported by the Administrative Office of the Courts, is recognized as one of the top community-based, court-connected, programs in the nation. The programs received over 5,800 referrals for FREE mediation services.
