Klerman Named Director of ADR Program

Experienced mediator will launch new ADR Certificate Program By Lori Craig Professor Lisa Klerman, Director of USC Gould’s Mediation Clinic and Advanced Mediation Clinic, has been named Director of the new USC Gould Alternative Dispute Resolution Program.

Professor Lisa Klerman

Klerman, who previously was a full-time mediator with her own private practice, has taught at the law school for eight years and was recently appointed Clinical Associate Professor of Law. “Lisa brings years of experience as a mediator and educator to her role as Director, and I am delighted that she will lead our ADR Program,” said Dean Robert K. Rasmussen. “USC Gould has produced many of the leaders of the ADR community, and under Lisa’s leadership, we will continue to expand our efforts in this increasingly important field and enrich the student experience.” Klerman launched the Mediation Clinic in 2007, which gives law students hands-on experience solving problems creatively and efficiently using the dispute resolution skills needed to mediate cases as a third party. Some students continue on to the Advanced Mediation Clinic, where they handle more sophisticated mediations and also train and mentor beginning student mediators. USC Gould  offers several courses in  negotiation, mediation and arbitration. In addition,  most students are introduced to ADR in their first-year civil procedure course, where they participate in mock mediation sessions. In January, USC Gould will launch a Certificate Program in Alternative Dispute Resolution, which Klerman said will “enhance the law school’s reputation and stature in this vital area.” The certificate program will expand course offerings and allow students to elect a mediation track or an arbitration track. “I look forward to working side by side with key collaborators and contributors to build a program that will allow USC Gould School of Law to emerge as a leader in dispute resolution education,” Klerman said. “This new certificate program will teach skills that are highly relevant to a wide variety of legal careers in business law, litigation, transactional and ‘deal-making’ work, as well as work in the role of ‘neutral,’ providing dispute resolution services.” Klerman also notes the program will complement the school’s Business Law and Entertainment Law certificate offerings. “Like those programs, it will expand our students’ professional options and make them attractive job candidates following graduation,” she said. “One of the unique aspects of the program is that it will create many opportunities allowing students to develop and deepen their professional contacts and relationships with practitioners in the field.” Both Klerman and USC Gould have been recognized as leaders in ADR.  In 2011, USC Gould was selected by the Ninth Circuit Judicial Council’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee as the winner of the ADR Education Award, based in part on Klerman’s innovative work in designing and developing the Mediation Clinic and Advanced Mediation Clinic. Klerman in 2004 was honored with the ADR Achievement Award for her outstanding ADR services to the Los Angeles Superior Court, and has been named a Southern California Super Lawyer Rising Star. Prior to becoming a mediator and teaching at USC, Klerman was a partner at Morrison & Foerster.