Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office

Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office
Name	Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office
Formation	1998
Headquarters	Annapolis, Maryland
Region served	Maryland
Leader title	Director
Parent organization	Maryland Judiciary

Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office

The Maryland Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office (MM&CRO) is a state-level agency established to promote alternative dispute resolution practices, provide statewide mediation services, and support collaborative problem-solving among public agencies, private parties, and community organizations. The office operates within the frameworks established by the Maryland Constitution, the Maryland General Assembly, and related statutes, and coordinates with courts, executive offices, and nonprofit partners. It engages with stakeholders across Baltimore, Annapolis, and suburban jurisdictions to reduce litigation, foster restorative practices, and improve access to civil processes.

History

MM&CRO was founded in the late 1990s following legislative initiatives in the Maryland General Assembly and policy recommendations from entities including the National Governors Association, the American Bar Association, and advocacy groups such as the Maryland Legal Aid. Early collaborators included the Maryland Judiciary, the Administrative Office of the Courts (Maryland), and local civic organizations in Baltimore. Influences on the office’s formation trace to national models such as the Massachusetts Office of Public Collaboration, the Minnesota Office of Dispute Resolution, and federal programs under the U.S. Department of Justice. Over time MM&CRO expanded through partnerships with the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, the University of Maryland School of Law, and community mediation centers modeled after the Center for Mediation in Law.

Mission and Functions

The office’s mission aligns with statutes enacted by the Maryland General Assembly to promote alternative dispute resolution and restorative approaches referenced in laws such as the Maryland Rules of Procedure and state administrative codes. Core functions include training mediators accredited through standards influenced by the American Arbitration Association, certifying neutrals in family and civil cases, and advising agencies including the Maryland Department of Human Services and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. MM&CRO also develops policy guidance for judges in the Maryland Court of Appeals, assists municipal governments such as those of Baltimore City and Montgomery County, and supports community dispute resolution programs in partnership with foundations like the Annie E. Casey Foundation.

Organizational Structure

MM&CRO operates under the administrative umbrella of the Maryland Judiciary and is led by a director appointed with input from bench and bar representatives including the Maryland State Bar Association and nonprofit mediators from groups such as the American Bar Foundation. The office includes divisions for mediator training, program development, research and evaluation, and community outreach. It collaborates with academic centers like the University of Maryland Center for Dispute Resolution and receives advisory input from panels including members drawn from the Maryland Commission on Civil Rights and municipal legal departments in places like Prince George's County.

Programs and Services

MM&CRO administers a portfolio of programs that mirror models used by entities such as the National Association for Community Mediation and the Institute for Conflict Analysis and Resolution. Offerings include court-referred mediation for family law and civil cases, restorative justice initiatives with the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services, landlord-tenant dispute resolution with municipal partners in Baltimore County, and workplace mediation services for public employers including the Maryland Department of Budget and Management. Training programs certify mediators using curricula comparable to the Harvard Negotiation Project and the Pepperdine Dispute Resolution Program, while grant programs support community mediation centers patterned after the Philadelphia Community Mediation Consortium.

Funding and Administration

Funding streams include appropriations from the Maryland General Assembly, grants from federal entities such as the U.S. Department of Justice, and contracts with local governments and nonprofit funders like the Abell Foundation. Administrative oversight is coordinated with offices including the Maryland Department of Legislative Services and fiscal reviews by the Comptroller of Maryland. The office leverages partnerships with universities including the Johns Hopkins University and legal clinics at institutions like the University of Maryland Francis King Carey School of Law for research, evaluation, and pro bono mediator resources.

Impact and Notable Cases

MM&CRO’s interventions have been cited in statewide dispute resolution metrics and evaluations conducted by research partners including the Pew Charitable Trusts and the Urban Institute. Notable implementations include mediation programs that reduced backlog in family dockets in Anne Arundel County and restorative diversion programs piloted with the Baltimore City Public Schools and the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. Case studies presented at conferences hosted by the Association for Conflict Resolution and the National Center for State Courts highlight MM&CRO’s role in interagency collaborations involving the Maryland Department of Health and municipal police departments. Peer-reviewed assessments involving collaborators such as the Brookings Institution and the RAND Corporation reference MM&CRO’s contributions to access-to-justice initiatives and cost savings in civil caseload management.

Category:Organizations based in Maryland Category:Alternative dispute resolution