Administrative Judge Paula L. Feroleto is continuing the Martin P. Violante Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") Program for the Eighth Judicial District.  This program was implemented under former Administrative Judge Sharon S. Townsend and was named to honor the memory of Court Attorney Referee Marty Violante whose dedication to alternative dispute resolution inspired the development of this program for civil, commercial, and parenting issues in matrimonial, and Family Court matters.  Administrative Judge Vincent E. Doyle envisioned an ADR program for civil cases in the 8th Judicial District which was implemented by Marty Violante.  His exceptional case settlement skills are legendary and well-respected on a statewide basis as he generously shared his expertise with members of the Bench and Bar over the years.  This is the first comprehensive program developed in New York State to standardize the application of alternative dispute resolution in matters before the courts. The protocols which implement this program were developed in collaboration with OCA's Office of Alternative Dispute Resolution Programs, the Bench, representatives of the Bar Association of Erie County and the practicing Bar.   
  

The Martin P. Violante ADR Program provides for referral of cases to various qualified neutrals who will be included on a court roster comprised of arbitrators in civil and commercial matters, neutral evaluators in civil, commercial and matrimonial matters, and mediators in civil, commercial, matrimonial and Family Court matters.  The applications for the Court Roster Neutrals along with the requirements can also be accessed at the website.   Judge Feroleto encourages all interested individuals to apply.

 

To be eligible for inclusion as a neutral on any Court Roster, an individual must submit an application and document the specified training sponsored or recognized by the OCA Office of ADR Programs and experience for each category of neutral as outlined in the protocols.  Acceptance  to each Court Roster of Neutrals is at the discretion of the District Administrative Judge in consultation with the OCA Office of ADR Programs.   The OCA Office of ADR Programs will assist with providing some training within the 8th District to assist otherwise qualified candidates in obtaining the requirements for the Court Roster.   Training which has been approved by OCA ADR can be found at the following links:

http://www.courts.state.ny.us/ip/adr/Training.shtml

http://www.cfsbny.org/programs/conflict/calendar.aspx

Candidates may also contact the ADR Program Administrator prior to registering for a training to determine whether the training they are considering is approved by OCA ADR to meet the requirements of this program. 

Administrative Judge Feroleto has designated Court Attorney Mary Louise Hayden to serve as the ADR Program Administrator who will coordinate with the various Program Administrators designated in the civil, commercial, matrimonial and Family Courts to implement this program throughout the 8th Judicial District.  Court Attorney Referee William E. Gersten is  the Civil ADR Program Administrator; Commercial Division Law Clerk Anne S. Rutland, Esq. is the Commercial ADR Program Administrator , Court Attorney Referee Sheila W. Schwanekamp is the Matrimonial ADR Program Administrator; Court Attorney Referee Tracey Kassman is the Family Court ADR Program Administrator and Bridget O'Connell, Esq. is the Mediation Manager for the Family Court Mediation Project.