The late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer addressed both houses of the Ohio legislature on April 25, 2007, giving his State of the Judiciary speech and sharing the success of the state’s early mediation efforts. Seated behind Moyer are former Senate President Bill Harris (left) and former Speaker of the House Jon Husted (right), who is now lieutenant governor of Ohio.

The late Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer addressed both houses of the Ohio legislature on April 25, 2007, giving his State of the Judiciary speech and sharing the success of the state’s early mediation efforts. Seated behind Moyer are former Senate President Bill Harris (left) and former Speaker of the House Jon Husted (right), who is now lieutenant governor of Ohio.

The second statewide conference focusing on dispute resolution will pay tribute to the 10-year anniversary of former Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Thomas J. Moyer’s passing.

“Civility and Solutions: Dispute Resolution for Today’s Courts” will be held March 10 at the Ohio Union at Ohio State University. The deadline to register is March 6, although walk-in registration will be accepted the day of the event.

The program will include a tribute to former Chief Justice Moyer’s dedication to using mediation and dispute resolution to solve complicated problems.

In a 2001 State of the Judiciary Address, Chief Justice Moyer talked about the critical value of providing a mediator in each of Ohio’s 88 counties.

“The design of this program is similar to the elements of drug court programs that have reduced recidivism rates in municipal and common pleas court,” said former Chief Justice Moyer. “It is a process in which anger and harsh words are muted by a desire to get to ‘yes.’”

In a 2007 State of the Judiciary Address, he highlighted a model of sharing resources.

“Northwest Ohio cannot support a full-time mediator in each county, so six counties share a single mediator,” Chief Justice Moyer said. “This model is proven to be cost effective.”

Years after Chief Justice Moyer began his efforts, there are now 254 mediation programs in Ohio.