OFFICE OF DISPUTE RESOLUTION

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On April 6, 1995, the Attorney General (AG) created within the Department the position of Senior Counsel for Alternative Dispute Resolution (AG Order No. 1160.1), which operated within the Office of the Associate Attorney General. In order to enhance operational effectiveness and efficiency, on January 26, 1998, the Attorney General approved a reorganization which established the Office of Dispute Resolution (ODR) as an independent component, headed by the Senior Counsel for Alternative Dispute Resolution, reporting to the Associate Attorney General.

The mission of ODR is to promote and facilitate the broad and effective use of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes by the Department of Justice and throughout the Executive Branch of the federal government.

The major functions of ODR are to:

• Promote and evaluate the use of ADR at the Department.
• Represent the Attorney General in leadership of federal ADR.
• Represent the Department leadership with foreign governments and the private sector.
• Facilitate the effective use of ADR in litigation and agency disputes.

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