Welcome to
Early Settlement Mediation!

Please click on the interactive map below
to locate your regional program
ok-county-map harper woods woodward major dewey blaine kingfisher caddo canadian grady cimarron texas beaver alfalfa grant kay osage washington nowata ellis garfield noble pawnee tulsa roger mills logan payne creek okmulgee beckham custer oklahoma lincoln okfuskee mcintosh harmon greer kiowa washita comanche mcclain cleveland pott. seminole hughes pittsburg haskell jackson tillman cotton stephens garvin pontotoc coal atoka pushmataha latimer jefferson carter murray love marshall johnston bryan choctaw craig ottawa rogers mayes delaware wagoner cherokee adair muskogee sequoyah leflore mccurtain

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

Statewide Judicial Conference! Lauren Craig O’Brien, Associate State Director, and Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System set-up a table for the Early Settlement Mediation Programs at the Judicial Conference recently held at the NEW OKANA Resort in Oklahoma City.
Basic Civil Mediation Training! The Early Settlement East and Northeast programs recently held a volunteer mediation training on the campus of Northeastern Oklahoma State University in Tahlequah. Julie Easley serves as the Director of the East Program, and Ever Vidana serves as the Director of the Northeast program.
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!