How do we bring dispute resolution to everyone, not just those who can afford court? In this episode of the AAA-ICDR Foundation Podcast, American Arbitration Association President & CEO Bridget McCormack joins host Tracey Frisch to explore how the Foundation scales access to justice through mediation, community partnerships, and practical innovation.
This report reflects a decade of work that came before us and the momentum that continues to build. Together, we remain committed to supporting prevention and resolution of conflicts by expanding access to alternative dispute resolution.
The first 2026 edition features a new podcast episode on the Dayton Mediation Response Unit, new grants supporting mediation in crisis response systems, recognition of women leaders in ADR, and the release of a new American Bar Association report lawyers as public citizens.
The MRU is an innovative alternative response program that dispatches trained community mediators to handle lower-level emergency 911 and police calls across the City of Dayton. Since 2022, the AAA-ICDR Foundation has supported the creation and expansion of the MRU, funded a professional program evaluation, and helped develop an implementation guide for communities interested in launching similar initiatives.