Episode 34: ADR and workplace conflict: a Florida Perspective with Jo Colbert Stanley, JD, LLM, MCIArb

I was delighted to welcome Jo Colbert Stanley to the EVA Show. She is the managing member Attorney of Stanley Legal Services. Jo is a Florida Supreme Court-qualified arbitrator and a certified circuit civil and county mediator. She has practised law for over Twenty (20) years, focusing on the areas of labour and employment, insurance defence, alternative dispute resolution, and human resource diversity and sensitivity training.

In addition to her law firm and ADR work, Jo owns and operates a successful yacht management company in Fort Lauderdale. Stanley Yacht Services, Inc. has been taking care of private yachts for over fifteen (15) years, providing year-round maintenance and project management services to discerning yacht owners. Jo is proudly rostered with the International Yacht Arbitration Council and Alterity ADR.

Jo wears many hats, so I have left the link to her profile below:

Stanley Legal Services

https://lawstanley.com/

We discussed the following questions:

1) How far has ADR enhanced access to Justice in the US?

2) Is there any measurable difference or impact on the Cost and Time Frame for settling disputes under ADR Compared to litigation?

3) Are employees or workers aware of ADR options regarding disputes or conflicts that might arise at the workplace?

4) To what extent are employees encouraged to use ADR to settle discrimination, bullying and harassment in the workplace-US is the given context?

5) Why is ADR more prevalent or popular in the more complex societies (in this context, developed countries- the US) than in the less complex societies (developing countries-Nigeria)?

6) What is the way forward for mass advocacy or awareness of the benefits of utilising ADR in settling disputes or conflicts in the workplace?

7) What type of mediation is best suited for workplace conflict?

8)  Why Yacht Mediation? What does it entail?

9) What is your advice for people pursuing a career in ADR?

10) Can you tell me more about Stanley Legal Services and your PhD thesis?