ADR Program

Introduction

MARTIN P. VIOLANTE ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION PROGRAM

The Martin P. Violante Alternative Dispute Resolution ("ADR") Program for the Eighth Judicial District was first envisioned by former Administrative Judge Vincent E. Doyle and implemented under former Administrative Judge Sharon S. Townsend. The program was named to honor the memory of Court Attorney Referee Marty Violante, whose dedication to alternative dispute resolution and exceptional case settlement skills are legendary and well-respected on a statewide basis.

This is the first comprehensive program developed in New York State to standardize the application of ADR in matters before the courts. The protocols which implement this program were developed in collaboration with the Office of Court Administration’s Office of ADR Programs, the Bench and representatives of the Bar Association of Erie County and the practicing Bar.

The Martin P. Violante ADR Program provides for referral of cases to Court ADR and also to various qualified neutrals who are 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. These court connected options complement the work of the private mediators and arbitrators working in the community.

Applications to serve as a neutral are accessed through this website (Applications/Instructions). All interested individuals are encouraged 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 roster 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 Judicial 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.nycourts.gov/ip/adr/Training.shtml

http://www.cfsbny.org/programs/mediation/education-and-training.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.

Contact Information

8th Judicial District Martin P. Violante ADR Program

Court ADR – Melissa Nickson, Esq.
(716) 845-7271 or mwaddell@nycourts.gov

ADR Program Administrator - Mary Louise Hayden, Esq.
(716) 845-9336 or mlhayden@nycourts.gov

Matrimonial ADR Program Administrator - Sheila Schwanekamp, Esq.
(716) 845-9330 or sschwane@nycourts.gov

Family Court Mediation Program
(716) 845-2714 or center@nycourts.gov

Protocols

ADR Program Protocols (Revised February 2, 2009)

8th District Commercial Divsion ADR Protocols (June 2015)

ADR Court Rosters

The following are links to the Court Rosters for Arbitrators, Mediators and Neutral Evaluators in Civil and Commercial Cases and the Rosters for Matrimonial and Family Law Cases.

Court Roster of Neutral Professionals
(revised April 2017)

Arbitrator and Mediator - Civil Matters, Neutral Evaluator - Civil and Commercial Matters
(revised April 2017)

Court Roster Arbitrator - Commercial Matters
(revised August 2015)

Court Roster Mediator - Commercial Matters
(revised September 2017)
Court Roster Mediator - Family Court Parenting Issues
(revised August 2015)

Court Roster Mediator - Parenting Issues in Matrimonial Matters

Court Roster Neutral Evaluator - Matrimonial Matters

Court Roster - Parenting Coordinators
(revised August 2016)