Early Settlement Mediation Alternative Dispute Resolution System
Supreme Court of Oklahoma
Northern Program
(405) 533-6878
Fax: (405) 372-3230
Jay Irby, DirectorChloe Bomgardner, Office StaffPatty Lowery, Office Staff
NORTH PROGRAMADDRESS: Payne County Courthouse 606 South Husband, 1st Floor Stillwater, OK 74074
PROGRAM SPONSOR:
Payne County Clerk
Social Media
Jay Irby, Director of the Early Settlement – North program, recently shared about the FREE mediation services Early Settlement provides to Northern Oklahoma.
Our mission is to provide FREE quality mediation services to Northern Oklahoma in an efficient and timely manner. Our program utilizes a team of dedicated, passionate, well trained volunteers to help those in conflict in our community.
Early Settlement-North Program News
North Program Site Visit
Program Site Visit!Glenna Craig, Payne County Clerk, and Payne County Commissioner Seth Condley, joined Early Settlement – North Program Director, Jay Irby, State Director, Phil Johnson, and Associate State Director, Lauren O’Brien, for a picture during the recent program site visit to Stillwater. The Payne County Commissioners recently approved the relocation of the Early Settlement – North Program office from the Courthouse to the Administration Building. The new larger space will include both offices and a conference room. The Payne County Clerk’s office is the North program sponsor.
Volunteer Mediators Bid Farewell to Judge
Judge Thomas!Judge Katherine Thomas with Jay Irby, Director, Early Settlement Mediation – North Program and volunteer mediators Philip Jeck, Jim Motes and George Schwenk. Judge Thomas is leaving the bench this month and told us “You have helped me so much with my Small Claims Docket. Thank you for all you do.”
Director Reports to the Board
Board Presentation! Jay Irby, Director, Early Settlement – North program recently presented his FY 2025 Annual Report to the Dispute Resolution Advisory Board.
New Volunteer Family Mediator
Family Mediation Training! Early Settlement North volunteer mediator, Lynn Whitebay, (Center) recently attended the Family Mediation Training at OU Law in Norman. Also pictured are Phil Johnson, State Director of the Alternative Dispute Resolution System and North Program Director Jay Irby who served at a trainer/coach for the training.
Volunteer Mediator Conference
Early Settlement North Program volunteers attended the 2025 Volunteer Conference. From left: Jim Motes, Phillip Jeck, Jay Irby, and Betsy Webb.
Volunteer of the Year!George Schwenk is a retired Human Resources VP in the oil industry who is very active in the Stillwater community with not only our program, but the Election Board and the local Vocational Tech Center as well. In 2025, George mediated 20 Civil cases with an Agreement Rate of 65%, attending the Payne and Logan County Small Claims dockets. He mediated 47 Family and Divorce cases with a 79% Agreement Rate. Altogether, George has mediated 67 cases for our program, with an overall Agreement Rate of 75%, providing 278 hours of quality service to the citizens of our program area.
