Welcome to
Early Settlement Mediation!

Please click on the interactive map below
to locate your regional program
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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

Bon Voyage!  After much prayerful consideration, Phil Johnson, State Director, has decided to retire after 30 years as the State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System, a program of the Supreme Court of Oklahoma, effective July 1, 2026.  After serving ten (10) years as a regional program director at East Central University, in 2006, he was named the Assistant State Director and Director of the Central Oklahoma program in Oklahoma City.  In 2016, Phil was named the State Director where he has served the last ten (10) years.


“I have been extremely blessed to lead one of the nation’s top mediation programs and will certainly miss my leadership team and the many volunteer mediators across Oklahoma. The future is bright for Early Settlement as the program is poised for continued growth in the years to come. I’ll be forever grateful to the court’s leadership and many judges across the state for their support over the years!” Phil Johnson, State Director

Volunteer Mediator Conference 2026

Early Settlement Directors! The Early Settlement Directors joined with Phil Johnson, State Director, for a group picture at the recent Early Settlement Mediation Annual Conference in Oklahoma City.

Volunteer Mediator Conference Keynote Speaker

Keynote Speaker! Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System, presented the keynote address to attendees of the Early Settlement Mediator Conference recently. The title of the presentation was “The 10 Essential Mediator Skills”. Phil is retiring as the State Director effective July 1, 2026.

Leadership Interviewed on News Talk show “The Verdict”

The Verdict! State Director Phil Johnson and Associate State Director Lauren O’Brien joined former Mayor Mick Cornett and local attorney Kent Meyers on “The Verdict” to discuss the Alternative Dispute Resolution System and the work of our programs across the state. The show airs in the Oklahoma City and Tulsa television markets.

Tulsa Volunteer Mediator Family Training

Family Mediation Training! Community volunteers attended a family mediation training at the Early Settlement – Tulsa Program offices recently. The attendees from northeastern Oklahoma will be volunteering for the regional Early Settlement Mediation programs, which are part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution program through the Administrative Office of the Courts. The Tulsa program serves Creek, Oklmulgee, and Tulsa counties.

Oklahoma City Volunteer Mediator Family Training

Family Mediation Training! Community volunteers attended a family mediation training at OSU/OKC recently. The attendees from various parts of Oklahoma will be volunteering for the Early Settlement Mediation program, which is part of the Alternative Dispute Resolution program through the Administrative Office of the Courts. Last year, the Early Settlement program offices received over 2,000 requests for FREE family mediation services.

Local District Court Visit

Oklahoma County District Court! Lauren O’Brien, Associate State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System & Director of the Early Settlement Mediation – Oklahoma County program, and Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System, met recently with Oklahoma County Special Judge Trent Pipes. Judge Pipes serves as a member of the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board.
Peer Mediation Discussion!  It’s always great to meet with folks and talk about conflict resolution. William “Bill” Scanlon, engaged Norman civic leader, and Carla Atkinson, Family Engagement Coordinator for the Norman Public Schools, joined Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System recently to discuss the benefits of mediation training for both students and teachers.
Cleveland County Courthouse! Phil Johnson, State Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution System, (L) and Damian Powell, Intern for the Alternative Dispute Resolution System (R) attended an event at the Cleveland County Courthouse recently. Judge Thad Balkman, District Judge, served as the master of ceremonies for the event and has been a longtime friend to the Early Settlement mediation program.

East Central University Legal Studies Department Visit

East Central University Visitors! The Chief Justice Dustin Rowe, of the Oklahoma Supreme Court and ECU graduate, spoke to the visiting East Central University Legal Studies Department students and sponsors in his chambers recently. Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System and ECU graduate, gave the group a tour of the historic Oklahoma Judicial Center. Sponsors for the group were Dr. Christine Pappas, Chairman of the Legal Studies Department, and Jorjia Cash, Director of the Early Settlement Mediation – East Central program.

Tulsa Court Improvement Conference

Tulsa Court Improvement Conference! Directors from the Early Settlement Mediation regional programs recently staffed an information table with brochures at the Court Improvement Conference in Tulsa. The Early Settlement Mediation program provides FREE mediation services for child permanency cases when court ordered. Pictured L to R: Felice Hamilton, Director of the Court Improvement Program, Tim Scott, Statewide Child Permanency Coordinator, Phil Johnson. State Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution System, TIm Scott, Regan Glinton, Southwest Program, Julie Easley, East Program, & Michael Nalley, Northwest Program. LeiLani Armstrong, Tulsa Program, attended but is not pictured.

Norman Court Improvement Conference

Court Improvement Conference! Directors from the Early Settlement Mediation regional programs recently staffed an information table with brochures at the Court Improvement Conference in Norman. The Early Settlement Mediation program provides FREE mediation services for child permanency cases when court ordered. Pictured L to R: Sarah Head, Southwest Program, Stacy Horner, West Program, Laruen O’Brien, Associate State Director & Oklahoma County Program, & Jorjia Cash, East Central Program. Pictured L to R: Phil Johnson, State Director, Alternative Dispute Resolution System & Jaxie Johnston, South Central Program.