Originally from Dispute Resolution Journal

The Task Force, a special program of the American Arbitration Association (AAA), promotes teaching and research in all forms of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) within law and graduate business schools. Frederick R. Livingston, former Chairman of the Board of the AAA and counsel at Kaye, Scholer, Fierman, Hays and Handler, serves as Chairman.

The Task Force works closely with an advisory committee comprised of deans and professors from leading law and graduate business schools. In late 1984, the advisory committee decided to focus its efforts in three areas: (1) developing research in dispufe resolution, (2) promoting the incorporation of dispute resolution material into core courses, and (3) establishing a conference for professors on teaching ADR material and courses. Separate subcommittees were formed to develop a plan for working in each of these three areas.

In the Spring of 1985, all three subcommittees issued reports containing recommendations for Task Force activities through the remainder of 1985 and into 1986. These reports were subsequently adopted by the full Task Force Advisory Committee. The Task Force has already begun implementing many of the recommendations. Summaries of the plan contained in these reports follow.