I am pleased to welcome you to the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and to introduce myself as Section Chair for the term that will end September 30, 2020. On behalf of this year’s Officers and Board, I pledge to returning members and to those of you who join us in the coming months that we will strive to bring energy and value to your membership in the ADR Section. We are committed to growing our membership and expanding the composition of our Board to reflect the national scope of our Section. As we begin the year, our Officers practice in the East and West Coasts, the Mountain States and New England. We welcome the active involvement of ADR professionals in other parts of the country and hope that many will accept our invitation to join us in this year’s Section activities.

We will build upon the accomplishments of prior years, expanding partnerships and collaborations with other FBA sections and divisions along with chapters in programs, events, and activities of mutual interest. With the help of the FBA national staff the Section will bring you programs that will inform your ADR practice and your knowledge and understanding of ADR in general. No one can dispute the increasing public discussion and awareness of the role of ADR today. With your support, the Section can make an important contribution to that debate. Our Section has always sought the opinions and aspirations of our members, and we will reach out to you to learn what topics interest you and what we can do to bring more value to your membership.

We look forward to hearing from you and, with your help, to continuing to build a rich and rewarding membership experience for the ADR Section.

Alex Zimmer, Chair