academy membership


Membership is by invitation only, and limited to professional mediators and arbitrators who are well established as trusted neutrals amongst the legal community within their state of practice. All Academy members have been found to meet stringent practice criteria and are amongst the most in-demand neutrals in their respective states, as nominated by both local peers and litigation firms.

Criteria and Requirements:

  • Two existing Academy members are required to sponsor/second an attorney for consideration. If the applicant is not known to the membership, then the Exec. Committee may offer approval for due diligence to proceed.
  • Only attorneys in good standing with their State Bar associations are generally considered eligible. 
    (Exceptions may be made for non-attorney neutrals who are in demand among litigation attorneys and firms.)
  • Nominees should ideally be certified/ registered in their state of practice, IF formal ADR practice protocols applied by the local Bar or courts. (e.g.; "Circuit-Civil" certification in Florida, "Rule31 Approval" in Tennessee) 
  • All Members are professional neutrals, in civil/commercial mediation or arbitration practice for a minimum of 5 years, with a minimum of 25% of their professional efforts dedicated to civil/commercial ADR practice. 
    All members must receive remuneration for such ADR practice at least 60 days annually.
  • Members identified as MEDIATORS must have privately mediated a minimum of 200 civil disputes, excluding pro bono and family law matters.
  • Members identified as ARBITRATORS must have arbitrated to final award a minimum of 20 civil/commercial cases. Exceptions may be made in the case of former judges, where time on the bench can be considered.
  • 6 attorney client references required on application (attorneys for whom neutral has mediated/arbitrated  civil-trial disputes in the preceding 90 days, excluding pro bono and family law cases). Each will be contacted and questioned as to nominee's approach, effectiveness, professionalism and reputation.


The final decision to approve or decline membership rests with the Executive Director and the Board of NADN.



Member Dues
Member dues are $600 per annum, paid annually or monthly ($50) by credit card. 
(Members of the Florida, California, North Carolina, Georgia and Tennessee associations pay Academy dues through their local chapters; neutrals in all other states pay dues directly to the National Academy)

 

 
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