“[M]ediation provides a vital alternative to litigation;” its benefits “include its cost-effectiveness, speed, and adaptability.” [1] But despite these benefits, many litigants only turn to mediation to resolve their disputes after filing a lawsuit rather than before.

Retired Bankruptcy Judge Louis Kornreich has been a mainstay for the ABI Mediation Committee for many years and now serves as a co-chair. As a U.S. Bankruptcy Judge, he was respected for his innovative approach to solving problems that crop up in cases by employing mediation-like skills to help parties resolve their disputes without using the full panoply of litigation tools.

Just when we thought we were in the clear from this COVID thing, we have been experiencing another not-so-small blip; however, this go-around there has not been a shutdown (yet). Even with the stops and starts, our Mediation Committee remained active. We have increased our committee membership and participation in committee leadership.

A little wheel is spinning on this exiting-the-pandemic thing. Many stops and starts. In person vs. Zoom. However, our committee will continue to plow forward with mediating in challenging times. Bankruptcy and mediation are continually changing, and our committee adapts accordingly with insightful programs, best practices and information.