For its 19th year, the Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference will bring together the best and brightest of alternative dispute resolution practitioners and presenters from across the U.S., Canada and England for another outstanding program. The nationally acclaimed conference will be held at the University of Washington School of Law on May 4 and 5.

The conference, co-sponsored by the University of Washington School of Law, the Washington State Bar Association ADR Section and the King County Bar Association ADR Section, is the largest regional conference devoted to dispute resolution, with 36 diverse sessions expected to attract more than 300 participants.

This year's conference will again offer an ADR Advocacy Track focusing on practical skills. Designed for the practicing lawyer representing clients in mediation, this track of sessions covers critical aspects of successful dispute resolution, including:

• Early dispute resolution options;
• How to choose a mediator;
• Getting beyond positional bargaining;
• Navigating personalities and emotions; and
• Closing the deal.

Advocacy Track participants will learn from leading national and international experts who will offer guidance for the advocate and for neutrals wanting to better understand the advocate's role. Courtesy of the American Institute of Mediation, the track will be moderated by mediator Lee Jay Berman of Los Angeles, providing continuity throughout all the sessions in the track.