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The Federal Alternative Dispute Council, Inc., (“FADRC”), based in the greater Louisville, KY area, began as a project of an ad hoc committee of the Federal Executive Association. The Louisville Federal Employee Mediation Project, as it was known briefly, was a grass roots effort among several field agency counsels to focus greater attention on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), with emphasis on mediation. Their goal was to incorporate ADR in a meaningful and appropriate way into their respective agency legal departments. This effort supplied local agencies with the ability to try mediation as a quick, cost-effective alternative to litigation. With the aid of grant money from the Federal Bar Association, the effort quickly expanded to offer additional mediation training to over 40 federal employees. The state-of-the-art training was provided by Just Solutions, an adjunct of the Council on Peacemaking, a locally based, regionally recognized mediation service. The Louisville Naval Ordnance Station hosted the three-day training session. Among the employees trained were a sitting U.S. Magistrate Judge, a former U.S. Attorney, congressional aides, several federal attorneys, EEO officers, contract specialists, union and management representatives.

The project committee members were urged by the new pool of participants to maximize the possibilities of the endeavor by incorporating the effort. Today, “FADRC” is a not-for-profit corporation offering pro bono mediation services, speakers and training to member agencies. The council is diversified and now has members representing management and labor as well as attorneys and non-attorneys. The original employee group and subsequently trained federal employees, serve as pro bono mediators for federal agency disputes, such as discrimination claims, interpersonal conflicts, and grievances filed by collective bargaining unit members.

In 1994 the Federal Alternative Dispute Resolution Council was honored as a Hammer Award Nominee. The award honors “Heroes of Reinvention” who help build a government that works better and costs less.

Currently, the “FADRC” is looking to expand its roll in the future of mediation. It is currently in the process of increasing the number of qualified trainers who will be able to go forth and train others in the local community as well as nationwide. An effort to get more Agencies on board is a continuing outreach program.

Message from the President

"Over the last decade the Council has remained a cutting edge pioneer in the field of Alternative Dispute Resolution.  We invite you to look at our history and then join us as we carry a tradition of principled public service into the future."

- Linda George, Small Business Administration,
FADRC President