Two members of the Upchurch Watson White & Max panel, A. Michelle Jernigan and Lawrence H. Kolin, will help kick off the 2025 Florida Dispute Resolution Center Conference as featured presenters in the Opening Plenary session titled “Evolution of Artificial Intelligence in Mediation.”

The session, set for Friday, Aug. 1, at 9 a.m., will explore the transformative role of artificial intelligence in the mediation process. Michelle and Lawrence will be joined by fellow ADR professionals Christy Foley and Christina Magee for a well-rounded discussion of how AI is already influencing case management, communication and decision-making in dispute resolution.

Topics will include:

• Current and emerging uses of AI in mediation and arbitration;
• Ethical concerns and practical limitations;
• The evolving role of the mediator in a tech-assisted future.

Michelle, a pioneer among certified mediators in Florida, and Lawrence, a longtime leader in ADR innovation and rulemaking, bring decades of combined experience to this timely topic.

Hosted by the Florida Dispute Resolution Center under the Office of the State Courts Administrator, the annual conference gathers mediators, arbitrators, and court staff from across the state for two days of education, ethics, and engagement. This year’s event will be entirely virtual.

For details and registration, visit drcconferences.org.