The Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MACRO) serves as a one-stop shop for any and all inquiries concerning mediation and other alternative dispute resolution processes.  MACRO also operates an e-mail listserv for dispute resolution practitioners, informing them of upcoming events, training programs, job opportunities, and other pertinent information about dispute resolution.  Call us at 410-260-3540 or visit us online at www.marylandmacro.org.

Dispute Resolution Associations

Maryland has three membership associations for dispute resolution practitioners and other mediation proponents:

	Association for Conflict Resolution, Maryland Chapter
	Website: www.mediate.com/MarylandACR/
	Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution
	Website: www.mcdr.org
	Maryland State Bar Association ADR Section
	Website: www.msba.org/sec_comm/sections/adr/

There are also many national and international organizations that help support the work of dispute resolution practitioners and provide valuable information online about mediation in various contexts.  For more information, search online for the following:

	American Arbitration Association
	American Bar Association, ADR Section
	Association for Conflict Resolution
	CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution
	National Association for Community Mediation
	Policy Consensus Initiative

Community Mediation

Maryland is home to eighteen community mediation programs that provide free or low cost mediation services at the neighborhood level.  Each program relies on trained volunteer mediators and has a strong emphasis on quality assurance, making the community mediation field an excellent area for mediators to get experience and hone their skills.  

To help strengthen existing community mediation programs and support the development of new centers, MACRO created the Maryland Association of Community Mediation Centers (MACMC), a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization.  MACMC has recently changed its name and is now known as Community Mediation Maryland (CMM).  Working collaboratively with CMM and its board, MACRO also provides start-up grants and performance-based funding for community mediation programs throughout Maryland. MACRO and CMM can also provide a list of community mediation centers and an outline of the ten-point community mediation model they promote.  For more information, call Lorig Charkoudian, Ph.D., Executive Director of CMM, at 1-888-826-2262.

District Court of Maryland

The District Court strongly supports the use of mediation in civil cases and has taken steps to encourage local State=s Attorney's Office to refer appropriate criminal cases to mediation.  Mediation provides an opportunity for addressing and resolving the underlying interpersonal conflicts that are inherent in many criminal and civil disputes.

The District Court is committed to offering mediation services at no cost to the parties.  Thus, the District Court works in partnership with community mediation centers, referring appropriate cases to mediation prior to scheduled court hearings.  In addition, several jurisdictions rely on the services of volunteer mediators who offer "day of trial" mediation in the courthouse, often coordinated by local bar associations.  Many newly trained mediators volunteer their services in the District Court as a way of getting experience and developing mediation skills.  For more information on mediation in the District Court, call Jonathan S. Rosenthal, Esq., Executive Director of ADR Programs, 410-260-1526.

Circuit Court

The use of mediation in the Maryland circuit courts is governed by Titles 9 and 17 of the Maryland Rules.  These Rules outline ADR procedures in the circuit courts and the training and experience required for mediators or other dispute resolution practitioners who are interested in receiving circuit court case referrals.  Circuit court mediators adhere to the Maryland Standards of Conduct For Mediators, Arbitrators and Other ADR Practitioners, an ethical code developed by MACRO's Professional Responsibilities Committee.  Copies of the Rules, standards, mediator application forms and other relevant information can be obtained via MACRO and its website.  Prospective mediators must submit application forms and supporting documents to the Clerk of each circuit court from which the mediator would like to receive referrals.

Although mediation practices vary considerably from one court to the next, all appropriate contested custody and visitation cases are sent to mediation.  Each Circuit Court also has a Family Services Coordinator on staff who helps manage this process.  Many jurisdictions also have active ADR programs for other civil cases. For more information on mediation in the circuit courts, call Julie R. Linkins, Esq., Court ADR Resources Director, MACRO, at 410-260-3540.

MACRO’s Work in Other Areas

In addition to the areas outlined above, MACRO works to develop and promote mediation and other dispute resolution projects in schools, state and local government agencies, criminal and juvenile justice programs, and businesses.  MACRO also helps raise public awareness of mediation and its benefits.  MACRO works closely with dispute resolution practitioners throughout Maryland and is coordinating a statewide, collaborative process to develop mediator quality assurance programs and best practice standards for the dispute resolution field.  In addition, MACRO sponsors conferences on mediation in various contexts and provides funding support to help establish new dispute resolution programs.  For more information on MACRO and its work, call 410- 260-3540.