ADR Programs

The EDNY accepts applications for student interns in the spring and summer.  Student interns will provide support to the ADR Administrator and will have the opportunity to assist with day to day operations of the ADR Program.

All applicants must be enrolled in an undergraduate or graduate program, and applicants with experience and knowledge of conflict resolution are preferred.

Spring student internship applications are accepted in October and November.  Summer student internship applications are accepted in January and February.

Please find a description of the internship with links to the applications here.

In response to Hurricane Sandy, the EDNY formed the Hurricane Sandy Mediation Program as a means to resolve the litigation surrounding insurance claims filed by those affected by the super storm. 

In May of 2014 the EDNY ADR Program hosted a Storm Sandy Mediation Training at which nearly one hundred mediators were specially trained to mediate disputes associated with the storm. The training was led by Judge Robert Levy, Gerald Lepp, Simeon Baum, and Peter Woodin.

• Training Video

The EDNY offers unrepresented litigants with an opportunity to obtain a pro bono (free) attorney for the purpose of mediation in matters involving:

Employment discrimination;

Claims arising under 42 U.S.C. § 1983 (Section 1983) including but not limited to claims of false arrest, excessive force, unreasonable search and seizure, and cases involving conditions of confinement.

If you have filed a case in the EDNY and are representing yourself, you may be eligible to participate in this program.

The EDNY ADR program offers unrepresented litigants the opportunity to obtain pro bono legal representation for the purpose of mediation in matters of employment discrimination and matters arising under Section 1983.

Volunteer attorneys meet with clients, prepare for the mediation, and represent the plaintiff during the course of the mediation.  The mediations are generally conducted by members of the EDNY’s mediation panel.  The mediators are experienced attorneys who have been certified as mediators by the court.

Most mediations take place in one day, however, if no settlement is reached during the first session, but all parties believe settlement is possible, a second session may be scheduled.  If a settlement is not reached, the pro bono attorney has no obligation to stay on as counsel for the remainder of the case.

To be qualified to serve as pro bono counsel in this program, applicants must be admitted to practice in the state of New York for a minimum of two years and be admitted to the Eastern District of New York.  Applicants must also have at minimum two years of experience serving as an advocate.

The EDNY ADR Department developed the Mediation Mentorship Program (formerly the Mediator Incubator) to offer practical experience to junior attorneys with a substantiated interest in mediating federal cases, but who have little experience as a mediator. To be eligible to apply, applicants must be admitted to practice in the Eastern District of New York and have practiced law for fewer than fifteen (15) years. Applicants are also required to be admitted to the Bar of the State of New York for at least five (5) years and must have completed a total of twenty-four (24) hours of mediation training. The required twenty-four (24) hours of mediation training may be the result of attendance at several distinct programs, or at one twenty-four (24) hour training.  Those who are interested must complete the application (link below), provide the agenda(s) from mediation trainings completed, and submit one letter of reference from a person who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s interest in and experience with mediation, and one letter of reference from a person who has direct knowledge of the applicant’s legal knowledge and areas of expertise. Applicants will be assessed based on their experience with mediation, including mediation advocacy and active participation in mediation and dispute resolution organizations and associations. Availability and commitment to the program will also be taken into consideration (please review the timeline for the program below).
 

Many EDNY litigants speak languages other than English. Please indicate below if you can speak languages other than English. Those who speak Cantonese, Mandarin, Russian, or Spanish are strongly encouraged to apply.
 

The EDNY serves a wide variety of litigants, including persons of varying age, race, ethnicity, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, physical or mental ability, religion, socioeconomic and family status. Applicants of all backgrounds and experiences are encouraged to apply to the program.

(This program has filled its current class for 2025)

The EDNY ADR Department is launching a Rapid Mediation Pilot for trial ready civil cases that are delayed due to the pandemic.

Trial ready cases may enter the Rapid Mediation Pilot through:

Judicial Referral

Party Request

Cases that are referred to the Trial Ready Rapid Mediation Pilot will be mediated within 60 days of the referral to the court’s mediation program.  In accordance with Local Rule 83.8(f)(1), any party that is unable or unwilling to pay the mediation fee may apply to the referring judge for a waiver of the fee.

For trial ready cases that are not referred to the Pilot, ADR Department Staff, with the consent and approval of the assigned judge, will conduct outreach to counsel, discuss the court’s mediation program, and offer to assist counsel in selecting a mediator with the qualifications and expertise to assist in meaningful settlement discussions. This outreach will be done via a joint letter to counsel, followed by phone calls.