Research Guides: Alternative Dispute Resolution Research Guide: Associations & Agencies

Associations & Agencies

Academy of Professional Family Mediators
The premier organization dedicated to promoting excellence and professionalism among family mediators, and educating the public about the value of family mediation.
American Arbitration Association
"The American Arbitration Association (AAA), is a not-for-profit organization with offices throughout the U.S. AAA has a long history and experience in the field of alternative dispute resolution, providing services to individuals and organizations who wish to resolve conflicts out of court."
The Association for Conflict Resolution
"A professional organization dedicated to enhancing the practice and public understanding of conflict resolution. ACR gives voice to the choices for quality conflict resolution."
Association of Conflict Resolution - Houston Chapter
"The Association for Conflict Resolution - Houston (ACR Houston) is a 501.c.3 organization dedicated to promoting Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) and conflict management, supporting and developing ADR professionals, and educating our community about the many uses and benefits of ADR."
National Academy of Arbitrators
"The National Academy of Arbitrators was founded in 1947 as a not-for-profit honorary and professional organization of arbitrators in the United States and Canada. Members are chosen by involved parties to hear and decide thousands of labor and employment arbitration cases each year in private industry, the public sector and non-profits in both countries. Admission standards are rigorous in keeping with the goal of establishing and fostering the highest standards of integrity and competence."
National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
"The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals is an association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil and commercial conflict resolution, and by their commitment to the practice of alternative dispute resolution."
U.S. Ombudsman Association
"The United States Ombudsman Association was founded in 1977 to foster the establishment and professional development of public sector ombudsman offices throughout the United States and the World. The USOA is the oldest ombudsman organization in North America."
College of Commercial Arbitrators
"The College of Commercial Arbitrators, established in 2001, celebrates and advocates excellence in the field of commercial arbitration– in the US and internationally. As the world’s most prestigious commercial arbitration professional organization, the College both defines and promotes the highest standards of arbitrator ethics, standards of conduct, and best practices in commercial arbitration."

Austin Association of Mediators
"Our mission is to promote the use of mediation in all of its forms by providing education and networking opportunities to our members and other ADR professionals, to promote community knowledge of mediation and other ADR techniques, and to serve as a primary resource for those who are seeking mediation services in the Central Texas area."
Dispute Resolution Services of North Texas
"We serve Tarrant County and surrounding communities by providing, promoting, and teaching dispute and conflict resolution. If you have a dispute that you would like to resolve informally outside of court, consider using a mediator to facilitate a mutually beneficial solution."
Tarrant County Association of Mediators
"The only professional association for mediators located in Fort Worth, Tarrant County, Texas. If you are interested in the practice of mediation, please join us at our next meeting to learn more. Non-members are welcome to attend a meeting as our guest before becoming a member."
Texas Association of Mediators
"The Texas Association of Mediators (TAM) is a multidisciplinary organization established to provide leadership and education in the field of mediation."
Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable
"The Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable is a guild of professional mediators and trainers. Since 1992, the TMTR has promulgated standards for training and promoted training methodologies to ensure the quality of mediation in Texas."

Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA)
"The FLRA is an independent administrative federal agency created by Title VII of the Civil Service Reform Act of 1978. It is charged with providing leadership in establishing policies and guidance related to federal sector labor-management relations and with resolving disputes under."
Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service
"The Federal Mediation and Conciliation is an independent agency whose mission is to preserve and promote labor-management peace and cooperation. The agency provides mediation and conflict resolution services to industry, government agencies and communities."
Interagency ADR Working Group
"Pursuant to the Administrative Dispute Resolution Act of 1996, this collaborative group covers the substantive areas of Workplace Conflict Management, Contracts and Procurement, Enforcement and Regulation and Litigation Claims against the Government. The Working Group's members are ADR professionals in agencies across the Federal Government. The Attorney General is the leader of the Interagency Working Group."
National Labor Relations Board
"The National Labor Relations Board is an independent federal agency vested with the power to safeguard employees' rights to organize and to determine whether to have unions as their bargaining representative. The agency also acts to prevent and remedy unfair labor practices committed by private sector employers and unions."
National Mediation Board
"The National Mediation Board (NMB), established by the 1934 amendments to the Railway Labor Act of 1926, is an independent U.S. Federal-government agency that facilitates labor-management relations within the nation’s railroad and airline industries."