Robin H. Gise, Esq.

Employers are increasingly emphasizing their diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) efforts as they recognize the value of creating a workforce that reflects the customers they serve. However, when many organizations talk about DE&I, they overlook neurodiversity as well as the education and conflict resolution processes, like mediation, that are critical for creating safe spaces and productive environments for neurodivergent employees and managers. In addition, by overlooking this aspect of diversity, employers may lose out on the strengths that neurodiverse employees can bring to the workforce. 

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Hon. James "Jay" C. Francis IV (Ret.)

The Electronic Discovery Reference Model (EDRM), “a community of e-discovery and legal professionals who create practical resources to improve e-discovery and information governance,” has published a bench book for judges and attorneys titled Using Special Masters and Discovery Mediators to Avoid and Resolve Discovery Disputes. This valuable resource highlights the role of special masters in discovery, especially e-discovery. Because the value of court-appointed neutrals extends well beyond resolution of discovery disputes, the EDRM bench book is a useful springboard for considering the broader utilization of special masters.

The EDRM Bench Book
The EDRM bench book identifies a variety of discovery-related functions that special masters can carry out, particularly in complex cases with a substantial dose of electronic discovery. Special masters can:

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Hon. R. Malcolm Graham (Ret.)

Attending a college or university should be an exciting time in a student’s life as they pursue their academic goals. Unfortunately, for some, sexual harassment or discrimination ends up sullying that experience. Such incidents have been on the rise in recent years, but tolerance for this abhorrent behavior is on the wane, as evidenced by the #MeToo movement and a growing willingness by complainants to speak up and seek justice.

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