News & Updates

State Bar of Georgia ADR Section — Panel Discussion and Officer Elections

On May 15, 2025, the State Bar of Georgia’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section and Young Lawyers Division co-sponsored a CLE and networking event at the State Bar’s Atlanta headquarters. IADR’s Doug Witten co-chaired the event, along with YLD’s Brandon Rosenstein and Akash Patel, in which an expert panel of attorneys and mediators discussed keys to a successful mediation.

The event featured opening remarks by both Georgia Supreme Court Justice John Ellington and State Bar President Ivy Cadle. Additionally, the ADR Section elected its 2025-26 officer slate, among which Doug Witten was appointed Vice Chair.

American Bar Association (ABA) 2025 Dispute Resolution Section Spring Conference

From April 24-26, 2025, Doug Witten was in Chicago, IL, to attend the largest alternative dispute resolution conference in the world.

Attendees gather to learn the latest in dispute resolution techniques and trends, exchange ideas with experts and peers, and strengthen professional relationships. The ABA conference is the meeting place for dispute resolution leaders, mediators, arbitrators, ombuds, judges, attorney advocates, court administrators, neutral providers, ADR consumers, and legal educators.

Doug has been an active ABA member and leader for years, and his participation in this annual event reinforces his commitment to excellence and innovation in the ADR field.

Innovative ADR International LLC is pleased to announce that Doug Witten has been selected for inclusion in the 2025 Georgia “Super Lawyers” list under the category of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Doug is 1 of just 18 Georgia attorneys to earn this distinction.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, recognizes attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Attorneys are chosen for this honor through statewide nominations, independent research, and peer evaluation. The rigorous, patented selection process is designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.

Established in 2015, Innovative ADR International LLC provides professional alternative dispute resolution services — including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation — that allow businesses and individuals to resolve conflicts outside of court.

Thanks again to clients and colleagues, for the sixth consecutive year, IADR’s Doug Witten is honored to be included in the ALM Daily Report’s “Best Of” annual survey in the “Individual Mediator/Arbitrator” category (Question 27). For more on the 2025 survey, and to cast your vote, visit the Daily Report page here.

We appreciate your putting your trust in IADR to foster the efficient, effective resolution of disputes. Thank you, sincerely, for supporting our commitment to dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration!

As we start 2025 with great anticipation, we reflect on a very busy fall at Innovative ADR International. IADR’s Doug Witten was recently “out and about” at these conferences and other legal community happenings:

• AtlAS Conference: The Atlanta International Arbitration Society’s (AtlAS) Thirteenth Annual Conference, October 7-9, 2024, in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Advanced Health Law Conference: State Bar of Georgia Advanced Health Law ICLE, November 1, 2024, Loews Atlanta Hotel, in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Universidad de Guadalajara: Discussion panel on Mexico’s new Ley General de Mecanismos Alternativos de Solución de Controversias (“MASC”), November 14, 2024, Centro Universitario de la Costa de la Universidad de Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.
• University of Georgia (UGA) Mediation Coaching: Mediation Practicum coaching of law student-mediators, November 20, 2024, Athens, Georgia.
• Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution (GODR) ADR Institute: State Bar of Georgia 31^st Annual Institute, November 21, 2024, Atlanta, Georgia.

It’s been a meaningful, exciting 2024. We now look forward to 2025, with a renewed commitment to making the world just a little better place. One resolution at a time.

On September 7, 2024, IADR’s Doug Witten participated in the Atlanta Bar Association’s 23rd annual Legal Runaround 5K and Tot Trot. Event proceeds provide college scholarships to children of Atlanta Police officers who have been disabled or killed in the line of duty.

Many thanks to the Atlanta Bar Association, the Atlanta Bar Foundation, the Atlanta Police Department, and other sponsors of this outstanding event.

Doug is a former board member and past chair of the Atlanta Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section, which educates, promotes, and supports resolution of disputes outside of the formal judicial system.

IADR’s Doug Witten has recently been installed as 2024-25 Secretary of the State Bar of Georgia Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Section. Doug has previously served as Treasurer of the Georgia ADR Section.

The Georgia ADR Section facilitates methods for resolving legal disputes other than through litigation and plans continuing education seminars.

For more information about the Georgia ADR Section, please visit the State Bar website.

IADR’s Doug Witten had the honor of representing the United States as ambassador and participating as a panel moderator during the IV Foro Internacional de Mediadores Profesionales (FIMEP). The Foro took place June 26-28, 2024, in the Consejo Profesional de Ciencias Económicas de la Ciudad Autónoma de Buenos Aires, Argentina.

FIMEP is a non-profit association that unites and serves the interests of mediators throughout the world, particularly in the Americas and Europe. The Foro joined over 400 attendees, featuring the initiatives and projects of lawyers and mediators and highlighting their diverse mediation experiences.

Time-Tested: The Stoic Negotiator’s Five Keys for the Modern Deal, a new book authored by IADR’s Doug Witten, is now available in eBook, paperback, and audio formats.

This book highlights concepts, mindsets, approaches, and strategies, all inspired by Stoic philosophy, that empower you to become a more effective negotiator and conflict-resolver.

You negotiate to make deals and resolve conflict every day, like it or not. That’s inescapable.

Even in our fast-paced, modern world, the underlying nature of negotiation and dispute remains as always. So why reinvent the wheel?

Lessons of the Stoics are time-tested and far older than any of us. Time-Tested illustrates how this 2,000-year-old philosophy can improve your life and work and help you become a better negotiator today.

On April 17, 2024, IADR’s Doug Witten returned to the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law to serve as a Mediation Practicum coach. In this highly interactive course, students engage in simulation-based training on the mediation process, the role and competencies of the mediator, ethical and regulatory rules governing mediation, and a series of specific topics of mediation practice.

Through this endeavor, as an experienced practitioner and coach Doug joins a group of esteemed mediators to engage with UGA law students and provide insights to help them perfect their skills. Whether these students pursue careers in alternative dispute resolution, litigation, transactional law, or some other path, the tools they develop through mediation training will serve them well as negotiators and well-rounded professionals.

Emory University School of Law — Panel Discussion

On April 8, 2024, IADR’s Doug Witten visited Emory University School of Law to serve as a guest panelist. Doug and other experienced attorneys addressed a First-Year (1L) class to discuss career planning, the journey from law student to legal practitioner, and tips for overcoming challenges and thriving in the legal profession.

Panelists answered student questions and engaged in lively discussion, providing guidance and suggestions about practicing law in private firms, in-house roles, and government settings.

Many thanks to Professor Karen Cooper for the invitation, to the esteemed panelists, and to the inquisitive and insightful Emory students.

American Bar Association (ABA) 2024 Dispute Resolution (DR) Section Spring Conference

From April 10-13, 2024, Doug heads to San Diego, CA, to attend the largest alternative dispute resolution (ADR) conference in the world.

Attendees gather to learn the latest in dispute resolution techniques and trends, exchange ideas with experts and peers, and strengthen professional relationships. The ABA conference is the meeting place for dispute resolution leaders, mediators, arbitrators, ombuds, judges, attorney advocates, court administrators, neutral providers, ADR consumers, and legal educators.

Doug has been an active ABA DR Section member and leader for years, and his participation in this annual event reinforces his commitment to excellence and innovation in the ADR field.

Innovative ADR International LLC is pleased to announce that Doug Witten has been selected for inclusion in the 2024 Georgia “Super Lawyers” list under the category of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Doug is 1 of just 15 Georgia attorneys to earn this distinction.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, recognizes attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Attorneys are chosen for this honor through statewide nominations, independent research, and peer evaluation. The rigorous, patented selection process is designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.

Established in 2015, Innovative ADR International LLC provides professional alternative dispute resolution services — including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation — that allow businesses and individuals to resolve conflicts outside of court.

On September 9, 2023, IADR’s Doug Witten supported the Atlanta Bar Association Dispute Resolution (DR) Section by running in the 22nd annual Legal Runaround 5K and Tot Trot. Event proceeds provide college scholarships to children of Atlanta Police officers who have been disabled or killed in the line of duty.

Doug currently serves as Immediate Past Chair of the DR Section, which educates, promotes, and supports resolution of disputes outside of the formal judicial system.

Thanks again to clients and colleagues, for the fourth consecutive year, IADR’s Doug Witten is honored to be included in the Daily Report’s “Best Of” annual survey in the “Individual Mediator/Arbitrator” category (Question 29). Doug is also proud to be affiliated with BAY Mediation & Arbitration (“ADR Provider” category, Question 28).

The Daily Report survey helps lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers in Georgia. Voting is quick and easy, through March 10, 2023. We appreciate your taking the time to vote. Thank you for supporting our commitment to dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration!

IADR’s Doug Witten has recently been installed as 2023-24 Treasurer of the State Bar of Georgia Dispute Resolution (DR) Section. Doug also currently serves as Immediate Past Chair of the Atlanta Bar Association DR Section.

The Georgia DR Section facilitates methods for resolving legal disputes other than through litigation and plans continuing education seminars.

For more information about the Georgia DR Section, please visit https://www.gabar.org/committeesprogramssections/sections/alternativedisputeresolution/index.cfm. 

Forbes magazine recently cited IADR’s Doug Witten in an article about “splitting the difference” as a negotiation tactic.

In the Forbes article, author Kwame Christian, Esq., Founder and CEO of the American Negotiation Institute, discusses the pros and cons of using split-the-difference proposals to close deals and settle disputes. Although this strategy must be used with caution, as the article explains, Doug notes that splitting the difference can be effective as a reciprocity trigger and fairness signal in negotiating.

Read more about splitting the difference and other negotiation techniques in Doug’s Mediation Essentials Toolkit, now available in paperback and Kindle versions.

On March 29, 2023, IADR’s Doug Witten visited Emory University School of Law to serve as a guest panelist. Doug and other experienced attorneys addressed a First-Year (1L) class to discuss career planning, the journey from law student to legal practitioner, and tips for overcoming challenges and thriving in the legal profession.

Panelists answered student questions and engaged in lively discussion, providing guidance and suggestions about practicing law in private firms, in-house roles, and government settings.

Many thanks to Professor Karen Cooper for the invitation, to the esteemed panelists, and to the inquisitive and insightful Emory students.

Innovative ADR International LLC is pleased to announce that Doug Witten has been selected for inclusion in the 2023 Georgia “Super Lawyers” list under the category of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

Super Lawyers, a Thomson Reuters publication, recognizes attorneys from more than 70 practice areas who have distinguished themselves in their fields. Attorneys are chosen for this honor through statewide nominations, independent research, and peer evaluation. The rigorous, patented selection process is designed to identify lawyers who have attained a high degree of peer recognition and professional achievement. Only 5% of attorneys in the state of Georgia are selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers.

Established in 2015, Innovative ADR International LLC provides professional alternative dispute resolution services — including mediation, arbitration, and negotiation — that allow businesses and individuals to resolve conflicts outside of court.

In October and November 2022, IADR’s Doug Witten returns to the University of Georgia (UGA) School of Law to serve as a Mediation Practicum coach. In this highly interactive course, students engage in simulation-based training on the mediation process, the role and competencies of the mediator, ethical and regulatory rules governing mediation, and a series of specific topics of mediation practice.

Through this endeavor, as an experienced practitioner and coach Doug joins a group of esteemed mediators to engage with UGA law students and provide insights to help them perfect their skills. Whether these students pursue careers in alternative dispute resolution, litigation, transactional law, or some other path, the tools they develop through mediation training will serve them well as negotiators and well-rounded professionals.

Forbes magazine recently featured IADR’s Doug Witten and his interview with Kwame Christian, CEO of the American Negotiation Institute.

In the interview, which airs in its entirety on the top-rated Negotiate Anything podcast, Doug and Kwame discuss managing emotions, the power of humility, the “mediator mindset,” and Stoicism as tools to better negotiating.

For more about how basic Stoic principles can help improve your negotiation mindset and gain better, more consistent results, visit The Stoic Negotiator™ newsletter and The Stoic Negotiator Academy training hub.

Innovative ADR International LLC and The Stoic Negotiator proudly announce the availability of our first on-demand negotiation training course.

“Don’t Let Them Rattle You! The ‘Fundamental 5’ Stoic Keys to Better Everyday Negotiating” has launched!

This introductory course, a mix of short animated and recorded videos, audio lessons, and downloadable materials, outlines fundamental negotiation mindset keys, grounded in Stoic principles, that help you improve your skills and get more of what you need through better negotiating.

The course gives you a framework to begin more directly engaging the “fundamental 5” key principles — at home, at work, or wherever you need to resolve disputes, manage conflict, negotiate, or persuade.

“Don’t Let Them Rattle You!” is available through our new online hub, The Stoic Negotiator Academy, where you can also view a course preview video!

On May 25, 2022, IADR’s Doug Witten’s interview with host Kwame Christian was released on the Negotiate Anything podcast. In their wide-ranging conversation, Doug and Kwame discuss “How to Manage Emotions in Negotiation.” The interview also covers other traits that successful negotiators share with the ancient Stoics, highlighting tools and mindset keys that improve everyday negotiations and conflict resolution.

Negotiate Anything is the world’s #1-rated negotiation podcast, and this is Doug’s second appearance on the show. In their popular first conversation, Doug and Kwame chat about how to use “negotiation jiu jitsu” to resolve conflicts and persuade.

On May 17, 2022, at the Atlanta Bar Association 2022 Annual Meeting & Awards Breakfast, Innovative ADR’s Doug Witten was sworn in as Chair of the Dispute Resolution (DR) Section for 2022-23. In this role, Doug will lead the DR Section and its members in their mission to educate, promote, and support non-judicial mechanisms for resolving disputes, including mediation and arbitration.

For more information about the DR Section, please visit the Atlanta Bar Association.

On May 4, 2022, the Atlanta Bar Association Council of Younger Lawyers, Dispute Resolution, and Women in the Profession Sections held a joint CLE networking event at the Midtown offices of Nelson Mullins. Innovative ADR’s Doug Witten, incoming Chair of the DR Section, moderated a panel discussion featuring Dr. Megan Hodgkiss (Hodgkiss Consulting LLC) and E.J. Stern (Novateur Partners): Leveraging Your Brand to Grow Your Business. In this well-attended and interactive program, the panel provided practical advice and resources on how attorneys, mediators, and arbitrators can build their brands and develop their practices.

Thanks again to clients and colleagues, for the third consecutive year, IADR’s Doug Witten is honored to be included in the Daily Report’s “Best Of” annual survey in the “Individual Mediator/Arbitrator” category (Question 26). Doug is also proud to be affiliated with BAY Mediation & Arbitration (“ADR Provider” category, Question 25).

The Daily Report survey helps lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers in Georgia. Voting is quick and easy, through March 11, 2022. We appreciate your taking the time to vote. Thank you for supporting our commitment to dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration!

IADR’s Doug Witten is an invited panelist to this year’s ODR Expo Tech. ODR Expo Tech II (April 26-28, 2022) brings together an international collection of presentations, speakers, and participants for an in-depth look at the latest in online dispute resolution and virtual mediation.

For more information, see the video link below and visit odrexpo.tech!

How do you get out of an unproductive cycle of two parties defending their positions? Well, good news . . .

LinkedIn Learning is now offering an audio course based on a podcast IADR’s Doug Witten recorded with host Kwame Christian and the American Negotiation Institute: “How to Use Negotiation Jiu Jitsu to Resolve Conflicts and Persuade”!

Doug and Kwame discuss “negotiation jiu jitsu” and its three components, how to use the mediation mindset for your difficult conversations, and useful pointers for those interested to sharpen their dispute resolution tools.

Thanks again to clients and colleagues, IADR’s Doug Witten is honored to be included in the Daily Report’s “Best Of” 2021 survey in the “Individual Mediator/Arbitrator” category (Question 29). Doug is also proud to be affiliated with BAY Mediation & Arbitration (“ADR Provider” category, Question 28).

The Daily Report survey helps lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers in Georgia. Voting is quick and easy, through March 12, 2021. We appreciate your taking the time to vote. Thank you for supporting our commitment to dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration!

Exciting news: Mediation Essentials: A Practitioner’s Survival Guide (2021), authored by IADR founder and principal, Doug Witten, is now available!

Innovative ADR International, LLC is pleased to announce that Douglas J. Witten has been inducted into the Georgia Chapter of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN).

NADN is a professional association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil and commercial conflict resolution. Membership is by invitation only, and all Academy members have been thoroughly reviewed and found to meet stringent practice criteria. Members are among the most in-demand mediators and arbitrators in their respective states, as selected by their peers and approved by local litigators.

For more about Doug and NADN: please visit Doug’s NADN profile page, read the full press release, and see the Daily Report announcement blurb.

What’s This All About?

You negotiate every day, like it or not. So why not get more of what you need from your daily negotiations, at home and at work?

This exciting new project, The Stoic Negotiator, is a digital newsletter and online hub dedicated to exchanging ideas and helping us all become better everyday negotiators.

Why The Stoic Negotiator?

I’ve been a professional mediator — helping people negotiate, resolve conflict, and reach agreements — since 2003. I’ve worked with thousands of parties in dispute and have learned a ton interacting with so many people and studying their paths to successful negotiation. I’ve seen a lot of what works, and a lot of what doesn’t, in dealing with different personalities and resolving business disputes.

I’m also a fan of the Stoic philosophy, which has been around for 2,000 years. I practice some form of Stoic meditation every day, and I’ve been surprised — shocked, really — how much the work of these ancient philosophers can teach us about negotiation today.

The Stoic Negotiator shares practical ideas about how we can become better everyday negotiators, incorporating some Stoic principles into our daily routines, and negotiate more successfully.

Curious? You can become part of the community and subscribe to get all of the latest HERE.

IADR’s Doug Witten is participating in the ABA Dispute Resolution Section Mediation Week 2020!

Ana Sambold and Doug present their live Zoom webinar, “Mediation, Language Barriers, and Access to Justice,” on October 22, 2020, at 12:00 p.m. EDST. Ana and Doug lead an interactive discussion about how mediation serves parties facing difficulties related to lack of resources, language challenges, workplace injuries, and more.

You can register for this exciting session – for FREE – by visiting this link: ABA Webinar Registration.

See you there!

On June 9, 2020, IADR’s Doug Witten was a guest on The Learn to Mediate Online Podcast, hosted by online mediation expert Susan Guthrie. In this podcast episode, Susan and Doug explore their personal insights into what works well in the online/ODR format and what sometimes goes wrong — and why. In this free-flowing conversation, mediators, advocates, and dispute resolution professionals can learn tips for performing your best and striving for successful results at your next virtual mediation or negotiation!

You can listen to the conversation on Podbean, Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, or wherever you get your podcasts!

On May 19, 2020, IADR’s Doug Witten and colleague Ana Sambold collaborated to present at the American Bar Association’s Dispute Resolution Section Spring Conference. As part of the first-ever virtual Spring Conference, Doug and Ana led a live CLE program, discussing mediation challenges, opportunities, and tips related to cultural and language barriers. The program, which the Section’s Spring Conference Committee had selected (pre-pandemic) for in-person presentation in New Orleans, was featured as one of the live sessions adapted to the virtual format and was attended by hundreds of conference participants.

The Innovative ADR International online dispute resolution (ODR) blog series is here! New for spring 2020, this series discusses how attorneys, negotiators, and mediators can succeed in the evolving world of online mediation.

For a video introduction to the blog series, click HERE.

View a short clip about one of the blog posts, addressing the use of eye contact in video-based mediation, by clicking HERE.

Innovative ADR International is proud to announce the launch of a blog series designed specially for participants in online dispute resolution. The Special Spring 2020 ODR Blog Series answers questions and discusses tips that will help attorneys and mediators improve techniques for mediating online. If you want to maximize your chances of success in remote mediation, such as through videoconferencing, please visit our blog series today!

The Atlanta Lawyer, the official publication of the Atlanta Bar Association, featured the Dispute Resolution Section’s February CLE breakfast in its February-March 2020 edition (page 32). The February 5, 2020, panel presentation, “Overcoming Language Barriers at Mediation,” included a lively discussion about the importance of clear communication with parties of limited English proficiency, and tips for the effective use of foreign-language interpreters. Topics also included managing the range of language challenges that can arise in mediations with international parties and individuals of different national origins.

Panel speakers included the Hon. Dax E. Lopez (DeKalb County State Court), Michael J. Eshman (The Eshman Law Firm, LLC), Jana J. Edmondson- Cooper (Edmondson Consulting, LLC), and IADR’s own Douglas J. Witten.

Thanks to clients and colleagues, IADR’s Doug Witten is honored to be included in the Daily Report’s “Best Of” 2020 survey in the “Individual Mediator/Arbitrator” category (Question 32), and he’s proud to be affiliated with BAY Mediation & Arbitration (“ADR Provider” category, Question 31).

This survey was developed to help lawyers identify the finest legal products and service providers and to showcase their top picks in one annual Daily Report edition. Voting is quick and easy, through February 21, 2020.

Please VOTE HERE!

We appreciate your taking the time to vote and support our commitment to dispute resolution, mediation, and arbitration. Thank you!

Doug Witten’s interview with Dr. Larry Schooler was released February 11, 2020, on the American Bar Association Dispute Resolution Section podcast, Resolutions: A Podcast About Dispute Resolution and Prevention. Doug and Dr. Schooler discuss multi-lingual and multi-cultural mediation, and how others in the ADR field can position themselves to work in an increasingly diverse world.

Listen to the conversation on Apple Podcasts, SoundCloud, Spotify, Google Play, TuneIn Radio, or wherever else you get your podcasts!