2026 ADR Seminar

Click the "Register Now" button to sign-up for this ISBA CLE event. Lunch and dinner is provided to in-person attendees.

Join us on Friday, April 24, for a full-day CLE event designed specifically for mediators and arbitrators. This premier seminar, co-sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association ADR Section and the American Academy of ADR Attorneys, will feature expert-led discussions, practical insights, and networking opportunities tailored to professionals in alternative dispute resolution.

Kick off the conference with a complimentary dinner on Thursday, April 23, from 4:30 - 7:30 p.m., featuring guest speaker Susan Guthrie. In her presentation, Building Your ADR Practice: Branding, Marketing, and Referrals, Susan will share proven strategies to strengthen and grow your ADR practice. The presentation will be delivered remotely. Please indicate dinner attendance when registering.

SUSAN GUTHRIE INFO

THURSDAY, APRIL 23
4:30 – Reception
5:30 – Dinner
6:00 - 7:30 – Building Your ADR Practice: Branding, Marketing, and Referrals - Susan Guthrie, Susan E. Guthrie LLC

FRIDAY, APRIL 24
8:30 - 9:00 – Registration and Breakfast
9:00 - 10:00 – Like It’s Your Job: Reoccurring Issues in Employment Arbitration and Mediation - Kelsey Knowles, Belin McCormick PC
10:00 - 10:30 – ABA Opinion 518 - Jeffrey Boehlert, Boehlert ADR
10:30 - 10:45 – Break
10:45 - 11:45 – Mastering Matrimonial Mediation Panel - Anjie Shutts, Whitfield & Eddy Law and Jacob Koller, Simmons Perrine PLC
Moderator: Alison Werner Smith, Hayek Moreland & Smith, LLP
11:45 - 12:15 – The Future of ADR - Katherine Gloede, American Arbitration Association and Joseph Padjune, American Arbitration Association
12:15 - 1:15 – Lunch (provided with in-person attendance)
1:15 - 2:15 – What in the World is a Court-Appointed Neutral/Referee/Special Master and How Can We Use Them More Effectively? - Hon. Jeff Conen (Ret.), Hansen Reynolds LLC and Merril Hirsh, FCIArb, Academy of Court-Appointed Neutrals 
2:15 - 2:30 – Break
2:30 - 3:30 – Slow Down to Go Fast: Wellness for ADR Professionals - Denise Hill, Whitfield & Eddy Law and January Kimm, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, LindenPoint Clinical Associates
3:30 - 4:30 – Double-Blind, Med-Arb, and Other Ethical Considerations - Hon. Mark Bennett (Ret. U.S. District Judge), Drake University Law School

CLE CREDIT (pending)
6 state CLE hours which includes 1 ethics and 1 wellness hour

REGISTRATION FEES
The prices below reflect the standard registration rate. A $25 late fee will be added on to all registrations received after April 20, 2026 (law students and ISBA CLE Season Pass Holders are excluded from late fee).

ISBA ADR Members and American Academy of ADR Attorneys - $195
ISBA YLD Members (Years 1-3 ) - $175
ISBA Members and Non-ISBA Members - $245

ATTENDANCE PREFERENCE
Please select attendance preference (ISBA Building or Live Webinar) when registering for this event. In-person attendance will take place at the ISBA Building (625 E. Court Ave., Des Moines, IA 50309). Thursday's dinner and Friday's lunch are provided to in-person attendees.

MATERIALS
Once registered, any event materials will be located below. From there, registrants can download the materials of their choosing. Please make sure you're signed into the ISBA website when trying to access materials.

Sponsored by The Iowa State Bar Association ADR Section and the American Academy of ADR Attorneys

Any cancellations must be received by April 20, 2026. No refunds will be given after this date. Please send cancellation request to cle@iowabar.org or call 515-697-7874.