Alabama Attorney General
Initiates
Mandatory Early Case Assessment for ADR
Pryor's strategy continues a policy of integrating ADR processes into state government that began five years ago. A 1998 executive order by former Governor Fob James, Jr. created the Alabama State ADR Task Force, charged with developing programs for information, education, training, coordination and implementation of ADR concepts in agency administrative processes. The task force concluded its efforts last year by informing the governor and attorney general on ways to integrate ADR in state agencies, and passed those responsibilities to the newly formed ADR State Agency Support Group.
The ADR Support Group focused its initial education efforts on the assistant and deputy attorneys general, both in Pryor's office and in state agencies. The group held two-day trainings in mediation other types of ADR. A similar training was conducted for interagency coordinators.
The initiative includes a reporting requirement designed to enhance the frequency and effectiveness of ADR strategies by the agencies. These quarterly reports, detailing assessment findings, will alert the ADR Support Group to the need for additional training for any participating state agency employees.
For more information on Alabama 's case assessment initiative, contact Deputy Attorney General Tori Adams-Burks.