Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution Receives Grant from JAMS Foundation
The JAMS Foundation has granted $450,000 to the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine Caruso School of Law in support of its planned two-year training and engagement program to address the relationship between the Los Angeles community and law enforcement.
“We see this initiative as a pivotal opportunity to strengthen the relationship between law enforcement and Los Angeles community members,” said Sukhsimranjit Singh, Judge Danny Weinstein Managing Director for the Straus Institute. “We are grateful to have the support of the JAMS Foundation as we look to provide our community with tools to resolve conflict, share experiences, and encourage empathy for one another.”
As part of the institute’s “Beyond the Dialogue” initiative, the program will use dispute resolution techniques to advance understanding and collaboration between the two constituencies, with the goal of restoring relationships and inspiring unity across the city. The program aims to transform the culture of conflict in Los Angeles by honoring the distinct experiences of community members and law enforcement officers, and rebuilding trust through training and shared-experience interventions.
“I am delighted that our distinguished faculty, who are global pacesetters in the ADR field, will have the opportunity to promote dialogue and understanding closer to home through this transformative initiative,” expressed Paul L. Caron, Duane and Kelly Roberts Dean and professor of law at Caruso School of Law.
A pillar of the program will be cultivating understanding, identifying shared interests, and facilitating positive engagement to foster trust between the groups. The program will then provide community members and police officers with unique conflict resolution skills so that interactions between them may begin from a foundation of respect.
“We are proud to support the efforts that the Straus Institute is undertaking in working to resolve long-standing conflicts between law enforcement and community members in Los Angeles,” shared David Brandon, JAMS Foundation managing director. “We think the program provides an innovative approach that leverages ADR principles to navigate the nuances of Los Angeles’ complex history with law enforcement, and we are optimistic that it will prove impactful in rebuilding trust and mitigating conflict.”
Founded in 1979, JAMS is the largest private provider of alternative dispute resolution services worldwide, with the goal to resolve and manage business and legal disputes through efficient, cost-effective, and impartial methods to overcome barriers during any stage of conflict. With more than 400 neutral panelists and 29 locations, JAMS resolves thousands of the world’s important cases every year.
For additional information about the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution, visit the Caruso School of Law website.