Developing a Practice

I have been a mediator since 1993. It has been a labor of love since the beginning. The value of the skills needed to be a successful ADR practioner has been apparent to me for some time. The more difficult struggle was whether to do it as an addition or a primary focus to my career.

This is no easy question. There is no certain and direct career path for the ADR professional. I have been able to actively apply the skills in various capacities ranging from social worker to corporate organizational development. In the past year, I have made the decision that ADR should be a substantial portion of my professional work and that the educational enabler is law school.

While I have a Master’s degree and a Graduate Certificate in Dispute Resolution, the study of the law will work further my knowledge to make me more proficient and enable me to create a balanced practice involving litigation and ADR services.

Part of this awareness involves furthering my skills as a business owner. Some of the early function of this blog will be a discussion of the steps involved with solidifying my practice. Being a law student allows me some room to revamp my practice with a new perspective.

Here are some early steps planned:

1) Develop a business plan - I have a fairly solid understanding of what I want to create and where I can add value in the field. However, there is no substitute for a formal plan and execution of that plan. This is important.

2) Relationships - I have been fortunate to learn from some of the best and brightest in the field. These relationships are important to me professionally and personally and I want to ensure that I do a better job of communicating.

3) Do something everyday - Law school is a challenege in its own right but it is important that I do something to grow POTSDR everyday.

4) Blog - I like to write and make transparent what is being done with respect to the growth of my business and my thoughts on the field.

5) Website - potsadr.com and potsadr.org have been up and running for a while. It is time to work toward the next generation of this website that does a better job of providing value to the field and offering interactive services.

Stay tuned as the plan is to continue to work with existing clients while refining the business model for the future growth and integration with my legal practice…