June Conference

KEEPING YOUR COMPANY OUT OF COURT

Corporate Dispute Resolution Systems: Lessons Learned

There are several reasons why you should attend this important conference, which will be held at the Charleston School of Law on June 12 and 13:

Learn the best practice methods of dispute resolution being used today and which methods might be best suited for your company.

Gain insight into how a comprehensive dispute resolution program can increase productivity, improve employee morale and impact turnover rates.

Learn the practical and cost-saving benefits that a culture-specific dispute resolution program can offer your organization.

Learn the steps involved in assessing, designing and introducing conflict resolution systems in your organization.

Hear from corporate experts who have implemented such dispute resolution programs.

Network with other CEOs, in-house counsel, senior executives or top decision-makers who are concerned about mitigating the cost of organizational conflict.

In short, please join us to learn how your company can foster dispute resolution while reducing both tangible and intangible costs of conflict in your organization. We know that you will enjoy the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina!

Conference faculty

Donna Baker, senior manager, AFCO: Donna Baker has over 20 years of experience in the field of human resources. She currently serves as the senior manager for AFCO (Associated Fuel Pump Systems Corporation) in Anderson, S.C., and the chairperson for North American Associate Relations for DENSO International America, Inc., in Detroit, Mich. Over her career, Ms. Baker has worked at nationally known companies like Monsanto Electronic Material Corp. (MEMC), Willamette Industries and Archer Consulting. Ms. Baker graduated from Winthrop University and achieved her Master's degree in Human Resources Development from Clemson University. Additionally, she holds the professional certifications of SPHR, CCP, GBP and GHR. Ms. Baker volunteers her time to work as a Guardian ad Litem in the South Carolina legal system and has done so for more than 10 years.

Deborah Butler, manager, Human Resources, John Deere Turf Care: Deborah Butler brings 25 years of human resource experience in government, private consulting and manufacturing. She received her Bachelor's degree in Economics and Business from North Carolina State University and her MBA from Meredith College. She has completed other graduate studies in the area of curriculum design and instruction. Ms. Butler's particular area of expertise in the field of conflict resolution is that of Peer Review which she has successfully applied over a 10-year period at John Deere.

Michael Dickey, Esq., assistant professor, Alternative Dispute Resolution, Charleston School of Law: Professor Michael Dickey came to the Charleston School of Law in 2008 after nearly 11 years of private practice in Panama City, Florida. Prior to attending law school, Dickey was an F-15 pilot in the United States Air Force. He graduated from the University of Southern California, received his master's degree from Troy State University and graduated magna cum laude from University of Georgia School of Law. Dickey has served in a number of leadership roles in state and national bars. He currently teaches Alternative Dispute Resolution and Commercial Law at the Charleston School of Law.

C. Cotton Harness III, partner, C.C. Harness III Law Firm; president. Accord Services, Inc.: Formerly a partner in the national firm of Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart, Cotton Harness has more than 30 years of trial experience. He is currently the president of Accord Services, Inc. Harness has been instrumental in promoting dispute resolution systems for private and governmental organizations. He has served on the national board of AAA, teaches Dispute Resolution at the National Judicial College and is listed in the Best Lawyers in America. His clients include national and international business concerns as well as government agencies.

Beverly Harrison, southeast regional manager, People and Performance Sealed Air/ Cryovac: Beverly Harrison has been with Cryovac since 1981 and has held a number of management assignments in areas ranging from production management to training and development. She is currently the human resources liaison for six Sealed Air facilities in the Southeast and the company liaison for the affirmative action and equal employment programs in the United States. She graduated from the University of South Dakota with a degree in political science.

Peter B. Kohler II, vice president and general manager, Turbo and Emissions Division, Borg Warner, Inc.: Peter Kohler has more than 30 years of experience in the field of human operations and human resources. He is noted for his expertise in overseeing successful operational turn-arounds, leading struggling divisions through the necessary systems and culture changes that result in enhanced performance and eventual profitability. Kohler is also regarded among his peers for his skill in successfully conducting multi-million-dollar interest-based negotiations with unions such as the United Steelworkers and the United Auto Workers and through numerous mergers and acquisitions. Kohler received his undergraduate degree from Tennessee Technical University and his master's from Ball State University.

Debora Miller-Moore, vice president, American Arbitration Association: Debora Miller-Moore is a national vice president of the American Arbitration Association, managing the strategic direction of the claims programs, fact-finding and e-commerce services. Ms. Miller-Moore graduated from the University of South Carolina and received her Master's degree in Business Administration from the McColl School of Business at Queens College. She was the founding director of the South Carolina Council for Mediation. She has served on the N.C. Dispute Resolution Commission and on the N.C. Supreme Court Joint Committee for ADR. Currently she serves as co-chair of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section, Online Dispute Resolution Committee.

J. Hamilton Stewart, Esq., Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart: J. Hamilton Stewart began practicing law in 1969. His area of emphasis is dedicated to positive employee relations practices, preventive employment law advice and labor litigation. He is a Certified Specialist in Employment and Labor law and a former chair of the South Carolina Specialization Advisory Board. He is listed in Who's Who in American Law and is a Fellow in The College of Labor and Employment Lawyers. He has been listed in Best Lawyers in America since 1993 and has been designated one of the top 25 lawyers in South Carolina.

Conference agenda

Day 1, Friday, June 12, 2009

8:30 a.m. Welcome - Andy Abrams, Dean, Charleston School of Law; and Lewis Gossett, S.C. Manufacturers Alliance

8:40 a.m. Lawsuit Prevention and Resolving Conflict Without Courts. Management Philosophy - Peter Kohler, Borg Warner, Asheville, N.C.
Privatizing Institutional Conflict - C. Cotton Harness, Accord Services, Inc., Charleston, S.C.

9:30 a.m. -- Break

9:45 a.m.m -- Company Experience Using Facilitation, Fact Finding, Mediation, Arbitration and Internal Dispute Resolving Systems - Debora Miller-Moore, American Arbitration Association, Charlotte, N.C.

10:30 a.m. -- Legal Update On The Use Of Arbitration - J. Hamilton Stewart, Ogletree, Deakins, Nash, Smoak and Stewart, Greenville, S.C.

Noon -- Lunch - On your own

1 p.m. -- Peer Review Jury Model and Demonstration Model, Policies and Process, Donna Baker, AFCO, Anderson, S.C. ; Demonstration of Peer Review Hearing - Assorted Faculty

2:15 p.m. -- Planning and Installation of a Dispute Resolution System - Beverly Harrison, Sealed Air/Cryovac, Simpsonville, S.C.

3 p.m. -- Break

3:15 p.m. -- Next Step: Using Internal Mediation to Resolve Employee Disputes - Deborah Butler, John Deere, Fuquay-Varina, N.C.

4 p.m. -- Panel Discussion: Private Dispute Resolution Compared to the Adversarial Court/Agency Model - Statistic, Satisfaction and Advice (Kohler, Baker, Harrison, Butler)

5 p.m. -- Adjourn

6 p.m. -- Cocktails: The gardens of Pratt-Thomas Walker, P.A., 16 Charlotte Street, Charleston, S.C.

Day Two: Saturday, June 13, 2009

8:30 a.m. -- Nuts and Bolts: How to Install an Internal Dispute Resolution System. Several models C. Cotton Harness, Accord Services, Inc., Debora Miller-Moore, AAA

9:30 a.m. -- Break

9:45 a.m. -- Use of Company Facilitators/ Mediators - Demonstration - Assorted Faculty

11 a.m. -- Future of Private Dispute Resolution: New Management Models/Changing the Adversary System - Michael Dickey, Professor, Charleston School of Law, Charleston, S.C.

Noon -- Adjourn

Conference sponsors

The Center for Dispute Resolution at the Charleston School of Law brings together students, educators, practitioners and industry leaders to study and promote the use of collaborative problem-solving. The Center recognizes the need and the opportunity to foster interdisciplinary growth and improvement in the management and resolution of conflicts.

The South Carolina Manufacturers Alliance is the manufacturing industry's association in South Carolina, serving as its government liaison. The Alliance provides legislative assistance to industry and interfaces with state government agencies, the South Carolina General Assembly, higher education institutions and the media. The Alliance also provides educational forums and conferences for topics important to manufacturers. It has a broad membership across the state of South Carolina and works with other similar nationwide organizations. More info.