Dear Members of the Tompkins County Bar,
My name is Jamie Smith and I am the 6th JD ADR Coordinator. I wanted to provide some information on a new mediation program we have started in Tompkins Family Court for eligible cases. In the past, cases were screened and then referred to the local CDRC for mediation services. The CDRC would then handle all contact with the parties for intake and mediation services. While this service was effective, there was considerable back and forth and parties were sometimes confused as the process was not explained to them before referral.
To provide more information and to streamline the process we have created the ADR IA Part in Tompkins County which is run every other Thursday morning. I handle this calendar myself and conduct the initial appearance as well as refer the parties to mediation if they are eligible and agreeable. We have the local CDRC on site at the courthouse and they can conduct the intakes right there so the parties do not have to take more time off to complete this process. Each party’s intake is conducted separately and privately. If both parties agree and the case is screened appropriate, the CDRC would then schedule mediation date for the parties at their office in Ithaca. I know in the past there has been confusion with counsel being allowed to be present at mediations and I can confirm counsel is welcome at mediations as well as at the intake. Counsel also may opt to allow their client to mediate without them and review any agreement prior to submission to the court.
Our hope is to create a more robust mediation program in Tompkins Family Court for Custody/Visitation cases. Mediation may help save time and costs and allows the parties to be in control with the outcome of their case. Given how far out calendars are in Tompkins Family it also gets the parties a resolution faster.
Please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions about this program at jlsmith@nycourts.gov. It has only been running a few weeks and any feedback would be helpful to ensure we are providing the best services possible.
Jamie L. Smith
Court Attorney-Referee
ADR Coordinator
6th Judicial District
31 Lewis St. 5th Floor
Binghamton, New York 13901
(607) 251-3039