Arizona Summit Law Forms Center for Community Education

PHOENIX - Feb. 13, 2015 - PRLog -- Arizona Summit Law School, located in downtown Phoenix, has formed the Center for Community Education to provide training and certification in vital legal and regulatory matters to the community. Summit Law formed the Center in response to a growing need for business and community leaders, government officials and non-profit organizations to be equipped with knowledge to address and better manage a range of legal issues. The Center will focus primarily on conflict resolution, public policy and leadership, and business and industry leadership, as well as community zoning and planning. Programs are being planned for weekends and evenings to accommodate the schedules of busy professionals and will be instructed by Arizona Summit Law professors.

The Center’s first offering will be its Conflict Resolution program beginning this month. Summit Law identified an existing need for expanded conflict resolution and mediation training after the Arizona Attorney General’s office, which historically offered frequent Community Mediation Training, scaled back its offerings in 2008 to a limited weekday schedule that focuses solely on general mediation. Over the last year, the law school’s mediation clinic served a significant number of clients during the past year, indicating a community need for mediation services that offer an alternative to the courtroom.

“Mediation is known to resolve conflict amicably and cost-effectively, and as a result it continues to grow as the preferred method of dispute resolution in business, community settings and among family members,” said Dean Shirley Mays, Arizona Summit Law School. “Through our Center, we hope to help more professionals and community leaders develop the skills necessary to be effective mediators, and improve their workplaces, as well as enhance relationships within the community.”

The Conflict Resolution program includes:

General mediation
Family mediation
Conflict management for human resources professionals
Mediation for homeowners’ associations
Negotiation and mediation for real estate professionals
Mediation for law enforcement
Mediation for code enforcers

The Conflict Resolution program schedule begins in late-February and runs through June. Initial program offerings include Negotiation & Mediation for Real Estate Professionals, a 5-evening program beginning on Monday, February 23 and General Mediation, a 40-hour training beginning on February 28 and running for three consecutive weekends. For a complete schedule or to register contact the Center at: communityeducation@azsummitlaw.edu or 602.682.6935.

The General Mediation offers a specialized certificate in General Mediation upon completion to lawyers, business leaders, human resource professionals, real estate professionals, government officials and leaders throughout the community.

Throughout the year, the Center will announce expanded offerings, including:

Public Policy and Leadership, offering a certificate in governance and legislation;
Business and Industry Leadership, certifying healthcare and business professionals in legal and business skills; and
Zoning and Planning, providing participants with a certificate in community planning.

About Arizona Summit Law School (http://www.azsummitlaw.edu/): Founded in 2005, Arizona Summit Law School is dedicated to diversifying the legal profession by advancing advocates and civic-minded leaders serving underserved communities.  The school, which is located in the heart of downtown Phoenix, earned early recognition from the American Bar Association for the development of comprehensive professionalism teaching modules, including the 2009 E. Smythe Gambrell Professionalism Award. Arizona Summit Law School also earned top honors for two consecutive years from prelaw Magazine, a law school journal published by National Jurist, for its innovative ideas and approach to legal education. Arizona Summit Law School is accredited by the American Bar Association, and aims to establish the private law school as a benchmark institution for legal education in the 21st century. Additional information is available at www.azsummitlaw.edu.