Montclair, NJ, October 13, 2023 — NJAPM – In what may be a first in the divorce mediation training field, the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators is pleased to announce an anti-bias and cultural awareness/sensitivity component has been added to their fall 2023 40-Hour Family & Divorce Mediation Training Program that starts on Sunday, October 15.  This five-day program is being held in person on October 15, and November 12 at the Fairfield Inn in Somerset, New Jersey, and online on October 22, October 29, and November 2, and is approved for applicants to the New Jersey Family Economic Mediation 1:40 court roster. The organization has offered training in family/divorce mediation, and also in civil/business mediation, in the spring and fall of each year since 2005. The focus of both programs is to train professionals from law, finance, accounting, mental health, and other fields to either become full-time mediators, or to add mediation services to their existing practices.

NJAPM’s 40-Hour Family & Divorce Mediation class includes parenting, division of assets and liabilities, child and spousal support, taxes, and all other issues clients need to address for an uncontested separation or divorce.  The lead instructor for the class, Anju Jessani, indicated that since New Jersey serves as a gateway to the United States for many immigrants, and draws a sophisticated and diverse client base due to New Jersey’s location between two major North American cities, mediators need to have a cultural perspective beyond their own experiences.  Further, while the parenting section of the course previously addressed the important issue of a mediator’s self-awareness of their own biases so as not to impose them upon their clients, there was a need to extend that conversation to making all clients more comfortable throughout the process. The addition of an anti-bias and cultural competency/sensitivity component to the 40-hour training class is part of the ongoing creative efforts and platform by NJAPM to support the cause of educating new and experienced mediators alike on this subject. 

Lawrence Jones, chair of the NJAPM Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency Committee, developed the new component that includes “10 Basic Principles of Cultural Competency” (co-authored with Joni Jones), along with classroom hypotheticals for the program. According to Jones, “We live in a diverse, heterogenous society, and the issues presented are of great social relevance. Throughout the country, intermediaries consistently help people from different backgrounds, address, and resolve challenging issues in a mutually peaceful and constructive fashion.  This new component in our training is designed to help produce well-rounded mediators.”

In addition to Jones, the NJAPM Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency Committee includes Margarita Echevarria, Felicia Farber, Anju Jessani, Joni Jones, Ken Neumann, Tamika Pollins, and Marvin Schuldiner.  The Committee has previously launched several educational programs on this subject matter including presentations with Rutgers’ Law School, Kean University, and the Maryland Judiciary’s Court of Special Appeals.

NJAPM President Suzanne English states that training is an essential component of NJAPM’s mission, and the organization is pleased that NJAPM is pioneer in the mediation training field with this new component. She stated that “just as we adapted to COVID in 2020 with our online training format, we seek to make all our trainings relevant to our changing times.  It is of utmost important that mediators not only have the knowledge and skills to mediate, but that they also bring respect and understanding to their clients.”

For more information about NJAPM divorce mediation training programs, please contact Anju Jessani at ajessani@dwdmediation.org and 908-303-0396. For more information about NJAPM, please contact Suzanne English at suzannee@me.com and 908-377-9028

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About New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators

With nearly 300 members, NJAPM is the only organization of professional mediators in New Jersey. The mission of NJAPM is to foster excellence in the field of mediation, promote and encourage mediation as the preferred method of dispute resolution, provide mediation education to the public, the government and professionals, train and educate mediators, and protect the public through a standard of conduct for mediators.  It also provides accreditation for mediators with substantial experience and advanced mediation training.  NJAPM members include attorneys, mental health professionals, accountants, and other professionals who have participated in varying levels of mediation training. For more information, to find a mediator, or to contact the NJAPM, go to their website at www.njapm.org.

 DONATION TO NJAPM IN CARL'S MEMORY

We are devastated to announce the loss of an irreplaceable member of the NJAPM, Carl Cangelosi, who passed away peacefully on April 15th. Carl was a beloved colleague, mentor, teacher, leader, and inspiration to many. 

Carl Cangelosi’s name has been synonymous with NJAPM for over 20 years. He was a pillar in the mediation community and a reliable fixture in the organization. Carl selflessly served as a volunteer, contributor, cheerleader, and driving force behind the NJAPM. Not only was the time and labor he dedicated to NJAPM invaluable in shaping the organization into what it is today, his intrapersonal work in membership development and relationship building is something that can never be measured or fully appreciated. So many current NJAPM members credit Carl for their involvement in the organization and starting them on their mediation journey. He was full of life, vigor, energy, and vitality, putting his heart and soul into our organization.

Carl’s various roles within NJAPM are as impressive as they are diverse. He served three terms as president, 2011, 2012, and 2017, president-elect, vice president, and secretary. He volunteered as co-chair of the Annual Divorce and Civil Seminar and Annual Conference for several years, and  served as NJAPM’s webmaster for 8 years.

Not just a leader, Carl was also a creative visionary. In 2005 he developed the NJAPM’s 40-Hour Divorce Mediation Training, serving as the director/coordinator of that training for 10 years.  He organized, coordinated, managed, and presented approximately 50 webinars over the past four years and posted many of them on our YouTube channel, which remains an invaluable resource for everyone in the mediation community. 

In March 2020 when the world shut-down, Carl immediately took action to assure that the NJAPM would continue to provide quality educational programs online and remain relevant. He organized and hosted weekly Monday noon webinars and mock mediations. One of the many highlights of his work early in the pandemic for some members was the popular “TechTime” series which Carl created with his partner, Lawrence Eichen. This program itself was vitally important to all of us who had to learn how to use technology to keep our mediation practices going. Carl has also been directly involved in the technological aspects of all of our online conferences and webinars since March 2020. Most recently, Carl created and organized a weekly peer consultation hour to allow us to bring questions and current issues we are facing in our meditations.

At our 2022 Annual Conference in November, the NJAPM honored Carl for his service and leadership by dedicating the webinar series he created “The NJAPM Carl Cangelosi Webinar Series.” This dedication now means more than we knew it would at the time and we are grateful that we had the opportunity to honor and thank Carl in his lifetime when he was able to feel our appreciation of him. 

Montclair, NJ, March 6, 2023 — NJAPM – The New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators (NJAPM) Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency Committee, and the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship of Kean University, gave the first in a series of virtual presentations on February 23, 2023 to more than 120 school directors and senior administrators on "Tools and Techniques to Address Interpersonal and Intercultural Conflict Management in Public Schools." Themes within this 90-minute session included cultural norms in an educational environment, implicit biases, cognitive biases and obstacles, cultural competency, cyberbullying, and restorative justice.

The series is coordinated jointly by the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship of Kean University, led by Dr. Adara Goldberg, Director and Sarah Coykendall, Managing Assistant Director, and the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency. The NJAPM Committee includes Margarita Echevarria, Felicia Farber, Joni Jones, Lawrence Jones, Anju D. Jessani, Dr. Ken Neumann, Dr. Tamika Pollins, Marvin Schuldiner, and Bruce Matez in his role as NJAPM President.

According to Lawrence Jones, chair of the NJAPM Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency Committee, “We live in a diverse, heterogeneous society, and the issues presented are of great social relevance. Throughout the country, intermediaries consistently help people from different backgrounds address and resolve challenging issues in a mutually peaceful and constructive fashion. This joint program underscores the social value of studying, supporting, and developing peaceful methods of alternative dispute resolution in our public schools.”

According to Dr. Goldberg of Kean University, “It is important to equip administrators, teachers and students with the foundational historical knowledge and skills to identify prejudice, combat discrimination, and develop empathy for the "other." Training is an essential part of the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship’s mission because it provides educators with the knowledge and skills they need to bring the values of respect, understanding and empowerment to life in the classroom.”

Additional topics in this series of programs will include the implementation of peer mediation programs, student focused restorative justice practices, and better identifying and addressing cyberbullies. For more information of this initiative, please contact NJAPM at njapm@c3workplace.com and 800-981-4800, and the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship of Kean University at agoldber@kean.edu / (908) 737-4633.

About the New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators

NJAPM is the only organization of professional mediators in New Jersey with over 200 members.  The mission of NJAPM is to foster excellence in the field of mediation, promote and encourage mediation as the preferred method of dispute resolution, provide mediation education to the public, the government, and professionals, train and educate professional mediators, and protect the public through standards of conduct for mediators.  It also provides accreditation for mediators with substantial mediation experience and advanced training. NJAPM members include attorneys, mental health professionals, accountants, businesspeople, and other professionals who have participated in varying levels of mediation training. For more information, to find a mediator, or to contact the NJAPM, go to their website at www.njapm.org

About the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship

Supporting the Holocaust Resource Center of Kean University (HRC) in achieving its goal of global education and engagement is the Diversity Council on Global Education and Citizenship. Founded in 1990, the Council collaborates with Kean’s College of Education and provides more than 130 member schools and community organizations with opportunities that empower educators to create safe, inclusive learning environments for all students by providing Common Core-aligned professional development.

The Council fosters the continued growth of active and compassionate individuals in order to reduce intolerance, harassment/intimidation, and promote social justice in a democratic society. The Council hosts annual elementary, middle, and high school conferences, as well as leadership seminars. These professional development sessions explore diversity-related themes including bullying, Holocaust and genocide education, civil rights, and confronting human rights abuses. For more information, please visit their website at  https://www.kean.edu/offices/holocaust-resource-center.

COPY of Press Release

                                         2022 RECAP AND REVIEW

1)  LAUNCH  OF INAUGURAL DIVERSITY/INCLUSION  GRANT PROGRAM

With the strong support of the NJAPM Board of Directors, the NJPAM Diversity, Inclusion, and Cultural Competency Committee awarded  seven 2022 educational grants  of $500 per grant to seven applicants, with such grant funds to be applied toward the cost of each applicant’s tuition for the NJAPM 40 hour mediation training program. As part of the grant application process each grant applicant submitted a detailed personal essay concerning issues of diversity, inclusion and mediation. The NJAPM D/I Committee spent significant time reviewing and considering the submissions of each applicant and awarded 7 grants as a result. The Committee plans to award up to 10 additional grants in 2023 for the study of family mediation and civil mediation. Additionally, the Committee is also  actively and energetically exploring the possible expansion of the grant program in 2023, in order to create additional opportunities for financial grants to  graduates of the 40-hour training program who wish to continue their studies through NJAPM’s post-graduate mentorship program. Any person who is potentially interested in applying for a grant may obtain more information on the NJAPM website.

2) DEVELOPMENT OF  FOUR  INAUGURAL D/I EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS AND FORUMS

A)  In February, 2022, the NJAPM D.I Committee proudly partnered with Rutgers University Law School Program to co-present a novel program on cultural competency in mediation. The program was  moderated by Dean Jill Friedman, and was a strong success.

B)  Throughout  2022, NJAPM served as one of five founding  non-profit educational organizations  to co-produce and co-present the 2022 National Cultural Competency Forum (NCCF). Specifically, NJAPM launched this joint effort in professional partnership with the New York City Bar Association’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion, California’s Cultural Competency in Family Practice (CCFP), the Florida Center for Cultural Competence, and the national Iranian American Lawyers Association. Following over a year of extensive preparation, the NCCF Forum was launched nationally online on National Dispute Resolution Day (October 20, 2022). The NCCF national forum proudly featured 26 speakers from throughout the nation on issues concerning cultural competence, diversity and inclusion in mediation and the legal system. Additionally, the NCCF  program offered  New Jersey attendees five hours of CLE credits, including ethics and D/I credits.  Honorary sponsors of the NCCF  included Rutgers University Law School, University of West Los Angeles Law School, University of New Mexico, Monmouth University, Montclair University, Kean University, Autism Speaks and the National Disability Rights Network (NDRN).

C) On  October 27, 2022,  NJAPM’s D/I Committee partnered  with the Maryland Judiciary (Court of Special Appeals) to jointly present a training program on ADR and cultural competency, specifically for retired judges and court-affiliated mediators in Maryland. The program was well-attended and was a great success as per feedback from the Maryland Judiciary. 

                                                                LOOKING AHEAD  TO 2023

NJAPM’s Diversity/Inclusion Committee is enthusiastically looking ahead to 2023. We are presently collaborating with Kean University to jointly present a major program in February, 2023—specifically for New Jersey Superintendents, Principals, Vice-principals, administrators and other executive  leadership of New Jersey’s public-school systems. The proposed program focuses on issues of cultural competency and peaceful and effective dispute resolution. The program will address how cultural competency and alternative dispute resolution can potentially help resolve school-related conflict issues in a manner which (a) avoids crises B) promotes greater productivity and (C) potentially increases employee, parent and student  satisfaction.

Additionally, as of January 2023, the NJAPM Diversity Committee plans to continue our monthly meetings to discuss, debate, develop new programs and initiatives with the help of NJAPM’s Board of Directors to promote and support NJAPM’s goal of increasing diversity, inclusion and cultural competency in the field of mediation. If any NJAPM member or other member of the mediation community or public has additional creative and constructive suggestions on how we can positively forward the goals of increasing diversity, inclusion and cultural competency, please feel free to contact us. The NJAPM diversity/inclusion/cultural competency committee will have other relevant and innovative programs and initiatives in the future as well. 

The Committee wishes to expressly thank our NJAPM President, Bruce Matez, and the entire Board of Directors of NJAPM, for their  ongoing support of the efforts and activities of the NJAPM D/I Committee  to help increase  diversity, inclusion and cultural competency in the field of mediation and alternative dispute resolution (ADR).

Happy New Year and Best Regards to all,

Lawrence R. Jones

Inaugural Chair, o/b/o NJAPM Diversity/Inclusion/Cultural Competency Committee

The New Jersey Association of Professional Mediators’ Committee on Diversity, Inclusion and Cultural Competency is delighted to introduce our newest member, Dr. Tamika Pollins. 

Dr. Pollins has a substantial professional history in the field of education. She presently serves as the Director of Diversity, Equity, Access and Inclusion in the West Orange Public School District. In this role, she has co-led the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Task Force with the Superintendent of  Schools.  She has previously served as Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion in the Hoboken Public School District, the Assistant Director of School Implementation and Educator Evaluation at Rutgers University, and has served in many other significant positions as well. Dr. Pollins has recently completed NJAPM’s mediation program, and we look forward to working with her on various projects and initiatives to further the goal of greater diversity, inclusion and cultural competency in the practice of mediation.

NJAPM is  extremely  pleased to publish Dr. Pollins’ article Please click here to read

Bruce Matez, Esq. has a contagious energy when he speaks about mediation and the possibilities for NJAPM. He states the following with high confidence: “NJAPM is the best game in town. If we all put our efforts together, we can make mediation the norm as opposed to litigation and mediation will be the first choice before going to court.”

Bruce is enjoying his time as the NJAPM president. He is an inspiration. Under his leadership so far, NJAPM has committed to initiatives with the goal of strengthening our organization and bringing more mediation clients to our members including the following:

1.    Continuing the initiative which began last year during Carl Peter’s presidency, the NJAPM hired Outside the Box Interactive, LLC, a professional marketing agency, to create and help us implement innovative online, social media, and other marketing strategies, and we’ve expanded our marketing committee; and

2.    Our Diversity, Inclusion & Cultural Competency programming continues to gain momentum and exposure; and

3.    We implemented new membership software and continue to improve our website. Progress and changes will continue with the goal of providing greater benefits to our members greater awareness about mediation to the general public; and

4.    The membership committee has been tasked with creating and implementing retention and recruitment initiatives; and

5.    He created a Strategic Planning Task Force, chaired by Director Ric Herman, to begin the process of planning for the future of our organization, which has begun its work.

According to Bruce, he is “just getting started and there is more to come.”

Professionally, Bruce is widely recognized as one of the top and most well-respected divorce and family law attorneys and mediators in Southern NJ.  As a Certified Matrimonial Attorney by the Supreme Court of New Jersey, he has over 30 years of experience handling all types of family law matters. He serves as a Parenting Coordinator, Guardian ad Litem for children, Blue Ribbon Early Settlement Panelist, Arbitrator, and he is a trained Collaborative Law Professional.

Bruce currently teaches a section of the NJAPM 40-Hour Divorce Mediation Training, previously taught Family Law Motion Practice and Family Law Mediation at Rutgers Law School and has lectured about mediation many family law topics. He is a proud founding member of the Thomas S. Forkin Family Law American Inn of Court, in which he remains an active Member Emeritus.  

Recognizing the value of community, philanthropy, education, and volunteerism, Bruce has been an  active member and leader of Congregation M’kor Shalom in Cherry Hill, NJ, where he taught religious school for 18 years, chaperoned 10 Confirmation Class (10th grade) Israel trips, and served on the Board of Directors for 15 years as a trustee, Financial Secretary, and President. He also served on the Board of Directors of the Starting Point of New Jersey, a non-profit education, referral, and resource center mental wellness, personal growth, and recovery. Bruce has been an avid participant in local community theater for many years, both on and off stage.

Having experienced divorce and having raised a son after divorce, Bruce is proud and grateful to have maintained a healthy and caring relationship with his son’s mother and her husband.

Ms. Echevarria is an independent arbitrator and mediator serving the metropolitan New York/New Jersey area focusing on commercial disputes. Actively resolving disputes within the business-to-business sector is her principal focus. She loves helping businesses resolve their disputes quickly and cost effectively. And believes that NJAPM has an opportunity to increase its service to civil mediators by creating additional resources and by attracting new civil-law members into our membership.

As an Arbitrator,  Margarita is well experienced in complex negotiations and transactions within the insurance sector. She has been either in-house counsel or a Chief Compliance Officer for major financial service firms in the NY/NJ metropolitan area. Her practice included many product development and launch initiatives, substantial contract drafting and review assignments, regulator negotiations, and corporate governance projects. When discussing arbitration or mediation, she highlights the key role insurance products play in helping resolve financial disputes.

To her personal credit, Ms. Echevarria is an arbitrator for the American Arbitration Association (the global leader in dispute resolution services), Resolute Systems, Inc., the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR), Federal Courts (USDC-NJ, ED-NY), and a Mediator in New York and New Jersey’s Court Mediation Panels. Following her employment in financial services and her experience as a FINRA arbitrator since 2000, Margie embarked on expanding her alternate dispute resolution practice into mediation. She has recently been inducted into the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, NY Chapter.

Margie loves to travel. Spain remains a favorite because of her ability to speak the language and the close culinary relationship between Puerto Rican and Spanish cuisines. As an advocate for women’s rights, she has also traveled internationally, including China. While at home, Margie enjoys participating in her book club and spending time with her family including playing board games with her two son’s families.

Lawrence R. Jones, LLC

Toms River, NJ

When first meeting Judge Jones, you are immediately impressed by his passionate energy and dedication towards helping people and bringing about positive social change. He is an accomplished author, consultant, and educator.  Prior to retiring in 2017, Judge Jones specialized in domestic law and family court, leaving a lasting impact through his written opinions, articles, and presentations.

Judge Jones highly contributing member to NJAPM’s leadership. He believes NJAPM to be an organization with its “heart in the right place”  It supports new professionals with training while allowing experienced mediators to expand their knowledge and abilities. He speaks very well of our membership’s diversity. NJAPM has a wide range of occupations, including  educators, coaches, financial professionals, and mental health advocates who provide feedback from multiple disciplines.

We thank Judge Jones for his role in moving Cultural Competency to the forefront of our organization while expanding positive attitudes towards cultural differences.  A key organizer of our recent training program, he is introducing NJAPM to International and USA-based organizations so that we may explore new channels, develop relationships, and increase our advocacy efforts.

Judge Jones loves working with students.  As a professor and mentor at both Monmouth and Montclair Universities, he admits, “It’s amazing how enlightened young people are today.  It’s like 35 to 40-year-olds from previous generations!” Thanks to Judge Jones, NJAPM has added a new section called, “Future Professionals” to our website to support mediation as a career choice among the next generation.  The writings of his students will bring you new-found inspiration.

The father of 6-grown children, he lives with his wife Joni.  As a mental health nurse Joni is also a member of NJAPM. 

Reluctantly, Judge Jones admits that in some years past, his judgeship extended beyond the bench to being a Boxing Judge. He comments, “Since you couldn’t mediate, someone had to win!”

Please follow this link to our growing “Future Professionals” webpage: https://njapm.org/news/?id=16586

Alfonso Hernandez Jr. is a NJAPM board member who easily displays his passion about helping individuals who are in the throes of divorce.  Motivated by his own divorce experience, he wondered about the alternatives available to traditional litigation and the difficult transition our clients experience.

Aided by his 27 years of working in sales, product management and business development, Alfonso founded the RESOLVE Divorce Center located in Rutherford, NJ in 2018.  Its services include family and divorce mediation, divorce coaching, and transitional life coaching.  Alfonso’s training includes a Mediation and Arbitration certificate program at Rutgers University taught by Mediators without Borders.  He continued his education in New York City with Kenneth Neumann and his colleagues at The Center for Mediation and Training’s 40-Hour Basic Divorce Mediation Training.  While completing two years with the Center’s Divorce Mediation Training Supervised Practicum, he completed NJAPM 6-Hour Supplemental Divorce Mediation Training with Carl Cangelosi and Anju Jessani and participated in the NJAPM Divorce Mediation Apprenticeship Program.  Additionally, he participated in the Mentorship Program with the Family & Divorce Mediation Council of Greater New York.  Alfonso is a committee member with the Academy of Professional Family Mediators as well as a current member of the NJAPM Board of Directors.  He particularly values NJAPM’s offerings of high-quality webinars and conferences.

When someone is starting or going through the divorce process, they are often overwhelmed by the emotional stress involved with their relationship ending.  Their entire focus is on what led them to this point, how and why it happened, and who is to blame. Continuing their painful experience, some are unable to move beyond repeating their story.

As a divorce and transition coach, Alfonso helps his clients to find alternative options that may be a better fit for their needs, to develop new goals, increase their skills and direct their focus towards their future. He works in a non-directive manner, guiding individuals through a self-discovery process by listening and asking questions. Issues may include items such as professional decisions, financial needs, future relationship requirements, or how to best care for the children. Alfonso guides individuals and their families, moving them away from patterns of high-conflict and towards a more amicable process that restores dignity and confidence.

Divorce and transitional coaching services have become an important and recognized addition to ADR.

Alfonso has an active personal life.  Now married for 16 years and the father of twin daughters, he coaches soccer, lacrosse, and basketball as well as being an assistant scout master for a local boys’ scout troop.

Virginia is the Vice-President of NJAPM and Accredited Professional Mediator with 20+ years of experience.  As a licensed attorney in NJ, NY, and PA, she is on the New Jersey Superior Court Roster for both Civil and Family Law Mediation. Virginia received her Juris Doctorate from Seton Hall University Law School and completed formal Mediation Training at the Institute for Dispute Resolution, likewise at Seton Hall.

Virginia relates to those who are just starting their mediation practice. She easily remembers her experience of taking 3-bar exams. Then early on, she gained enough experience to become an APM.

She credits NJAPM for the resources it provided to her. She found mediators within the organization that she knew and respected at the time. They were established law attorneys who embraced mediation and served as good examples for her to follow. Virginia’s advice to those beginning their mediation practice is as follows:

• Become associated with professionals whom you can emulate, as through NJAPM. Learn through your associations with other professionals.
• Increase your attractiveness to potential clients by seeking additional education and credential training. Support your marketing efforts by developing a strong background.
• Peer mediation is one of the best marketing tools NJAPM has to offer. Attaining peer referrals is a matter of letting other members become familiar with the skills you have to offer. Develop relationships and affiliations with other members. As an attorney, hold yourself out as someone who is willing to do case reviews. For financial and mental health professionals, network so that others may learn of your available services.  Attend meetings and group discussions on a regular basis.

At home, Virginia has a great passion for animals. She loves to spend time with family and friends, read, and do handicrafts.  She also enjoys travel and has a secret ambition to see as much of the United States as possible.

Virginia Maroulakos Rucinski's NJAPM Profile

NJAPM is happy to have Felicia Farber as a member of our board and Vice-President of our organization.  Felicia is a well-known and successful advocate for Alternative Dispute Resolution.  Professionally, she is a full-time arbitrator, mediator, workplace investigator and attorney serving New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania. With over 25 years of experience, she facilitates the resolution of commercial, civil, and family disputes through mediation, arbitration, and litigation. For the past 17+ years her practice has been primarily focused on ADR, specializing in matters involving employment, construction, complex business/commercial, torts, contracts, homeowners’ association disputes, environmental insurance, divorce, foreclosure, medical malpractice, products liability and will contests.

Felicia quickly became involved with our organization after attending her first meeting of the Bergen County Peer Group several years ago and remains friends with these members today. She appreciates the values they have in common of being family- focused, kind, and compassionate. She firmly believes that ADR is the best way to resolve disputes and uses her professional positions and appointments as platforms to advance mediation. Towards our organization, she believes “NJAPM helps professionals make the important transition from litigation to mediation,” And her mission as a board member  is to continue to educate attorneys and the public as to the vast benefits of mediation.

Felicia was awarded the prestigious James B. Bosky Award as the 2019 ADR Practitioner of the Year by the New Jersey State Bar Association (NJSBA) and serves on the NJ Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution. She is the New Jersey Regional Chair for the Women In Dispute Resolution Committee of the American Bar Association and is Chair of the New Jersey City University Institute of Dispute Resolution Committee on Thought Leadership and Program Experiences. The list of her professional accomplishments is both outstanding and impressive. She serves as a Mediator for:

• The American Arbitration Association (AAA)
• The International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution (CPR)
• New Jersey State Court Approved Mediator for Civil, General Equity and Probate
• US Federal District Courts – New York, New Jersey
• State of New Jersey Early Intervention System
• Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve – NJ Committee
• Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (past mediator – Newark Office)
• New Jersey Office of Dispute Settlement (past mediator)

As a frequent speaker in NJ & NY, Felicia regularly conducts presentations for state and county bar associations, Inns of Courts, law schools, and professional organizations, including the American Bar Association. She has developed and taught Advanced Civil Mediation courses and teaches Negotiation & Conflict Resolution and Mock Trial classes at William Paterson University. She also serves on the Editorial Advisory Board for the school-based publication The Legal Eagle, and the Speakers’ Bureau for the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.

Privately, Felicia is a certified pet therapy handler, watercolor artist, and established author.  Her debut novel Ice Queen has won multiple awards and successfully illustrates the struggles that young adults face in today’s digital world by addressing the real-life consequences of sexting and cyberbullying.  Today’s laws are simply inadequate for dealing with these contemporary issues and Felicia hopes her novel will alert young adults about how they could be at risk.

LINK: Felicia T. Farber, Esq., APM, B.S.E.E. Farber Resolutions, LLC of Hackensack, NJ

NJAPM is happy to welcome Carl E. Peters, P.E., L.S. as our incoming President effective October 1, 2020. Carl’s career spans 20+ years of experience. He is licensed by the State of New Jersey as a Professional Engineer, Professional Land Surveyor, Professional Planner and Construction Official. Carl is also on the New Jersey Court roster of Civil mediators in seven counties and is the managing member of Carl E. Peters, LLC, located in the Fords section of Woodbridge Township, NJ.

In the role of leadership, Carl is the Past President of the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers and the New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors. He is currently the Executive Vice President of NJAPM. Carl’s was the long-term Municipal Engineer for the Borough of Princeton NJ. As the Construction Official for Borough of Princeton he routinely settled disputes among builders, architects and homeowners centering around the interpretation and enforcement of the NJ Uniform Construction Code. Additional services include litigation support in the specialties of municipal engineering, land surveying, construction codes and handicapped accessibility (ADA) compliance. As an educator, Carl has served as an instructor for the New Jersey Society of Municipal Engineers, New Jersey Society of Professional Land Surveyors, the New Jersey Planning Officials and as an adjunct faculty member at the NJ Institute of Technology.

So, why has he chosen a career in civil mediation? Carl has dealt with construction projects throughout his experience. However, litigation is both expensive and a relatively small niche. As a civil mediator, Carl prioritizes working with homeowners, businesses, and professionals to resolve their differences before going to court.

Carl is fully dedicated to NJAPM, having served in several positions. He believes our organization faces several challenges going forward. Carl’s top focus will be to increase member benefits and raise awareness about mediation. He seeks additional opportunities for growth, including the formation of a Speakers’ Bureau to create public speaking engagements for our members and the development of an Online Resource Library to support individual practices.

“NJAPM must make and provide the tools to make our members more successful. But we need their engagement to make this possible,” states Carl. He asks that we (the membership) increase our participation in existing programs and that we support NJAPM by offering our time and assistance towards new and upcoming projects.

Carl has been sailing all his life and when possible, races boats in competitions. He loves the water and the physical exercise, but admits that after participating in a recent Regatta, it took a few days to recover.