Author Archives: abfifer

Revised Mediation Standards Provide Helpful Guidance

July 31, 2025 – 5:17 pm

The ABA and the AFCC (Association of Family and Conciliation Courts) have jointly released the 2025 Revision of the Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation. This document replaces the Model Standards adopted in 2000, which have withstood the test of time. Notable in the Revised Standards are some additional topics, such as online dispute […]

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Jesus Was Right About Forgiveness

June 10, 2025 – 10:37 am

“We now have neuroscience support for the ancient teachings of Jesus …” Brain studies are revealing both the negative effects of revenge as well as the positive effects of forgiveness, according to a recent article by James Kimmel, Jr., that appeared in the Wall Street Journal last week, “This Is Your Brain on Revenge.” The […]

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California Offers Certification for Neutrals

February 13, 2025 – 4:11 pm

California has adopted a law authorizing the California State Bar to certify dispute resolution providers. The Alternative Dispute Resolution Certification Program requires neutrals to comply with ethics and disclosure standards, and to provide a complaint procedure, in order to be certified. The author of the bill, Senate Judiciary Committee Chair Tom Umberg, says this law […]

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Newspaper Group Apologizes

January 31, 2025 – 12:18 pm

News Group Newspapers issued a public apology this week to Prince Harry for invading his privacy for years by hacking his phone and publishing private information about him. Prince Harry had sued News Group, which owns several British tabloids, and the apology was part of a settlement on the eve of trial. The apology acknowledges […]

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Another Apology Regarding “2000 Mules”

December 3, 2024 – 2:19 pm

Last week I wrote about the apology from Salem Media to Mr. Mark Andrews for defaming him as an illegal voter in a film it distributed. Yesterday, the creator of the film, Dinesh D’Souza, issued a statement of apology to Mr. Andrews. In the film, “2000 Mules,” Mr. Andrews is depicted as a “mule” who […]

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