John A. Speziale ADR Symposium

Since 1998, CBF has sponsored symposia focusing on alternative dispute resolution (ADR), all of which have been hosted by Quinnipiac University School of Law. The symposia are named for former Connecticut Supreme Court Justice John A. Speziale, in recognition of his work in the field and his leadership as the first Chair of the James Cooper Fellows.

Chief Justice Speziale was a pioneer in bringing alternative dispute resolution to Connecticut. As Chief Court Administrator in the mid-1970s, he implemented a massive reorganization of the CT court system, merging the Court of Common Pleas with the Superior Court and laying the groundwork for Connecticut’s Appellate Court. He also established an alternative means of resolving disputes outside the court setting. Under his tutelage, Connecticut became a national model on how to expedite cases.

Past Events

13th Speziale ADR Symposium: Restorative Justice & Juvenile Justice

Special thanks: The Tow Foundation, FML, The Connecticut Council for  Non-Adversarial Divorce; Shook, Hardy & Bacon; and Koskoff, Koskoff, & Bieder PC

November 22, 2024 (Quinnipiac School of Law). The 13th Speziale ADR symposium brought together people who work both with at-risk youth who commit harm and with community stakeholders, to better collaborate to reduce recidivism and the “school-to-prison” pipeline by using restorative practices. To date, there has been limited collaboration and coordination between these systems. The symposium focused on what is happening in Connecticut, as well as nationally and internationally, using restorative justice processes to transform youth justice systems and make communities safer and more connected.

Keynote Speaker

Panel 1: Restorative Justice Programs in the Community and Schools

Panel 2: Working WITH Youth, Families, and the Community

Restorative Justice Model Circle with Youth

Panel 3: Restorative Justice in other US Jurisdictions

Panel 4: An International View of Restorative Justice from New Zealand

Panel 5: Blueprint for the Future

12th Annual Speziale ADR Symposium: Is Virtual Justice Just?

November 4, 2022 (Quinnipiac School of Law). National experts and trial lawyers joined CBF for the 12th Speziale ADR Symposium to share their unique perspectives and expertise on this topic.

This symposium was divided into two sessions, each with its own focus. The morning session, Virtual Trials: What’s the Verdict?, examined how virtual trials, including virtual juries, have been utilized in various jurisdictions. The afternoon session, Is ODR the Future of ADR?, considered how artificial intelligence is being used in the legal system and discussed the growing use of online dispute resolution (ODR) in Connecticut and across the country.

Special thanks to our sponsors:

Gold: Day Pitney LLP; McCarter & English; RisCassi & Davis; Silver Golub & Teitell LLP; and Shook, Hardy & Bacon
Bronze: Shipman; and Stockman, O'Connor, Connors
Friends of the Hon. John A. Speziale ADR Symposium: Kalon; and Robinson Mahoney, Attorneys at Law