Wohl is executive director of Maryland’s Mediation and Conflict Resolution Office, the state’s alternative-dispute resolution resource.
What does MACRO do?
MACRO’s mission is to advance good conflict resolution in Maryland — in schools, courts, state and local government agencies, juvenile justice and the business community. We have grants that we give out for conflict resolution projects. We work collaboratively with mediators across the state across a number of kinds of conflicts.
You have an event next month called “How Mediation Will Save the Planet” with conflict-resolution expert Ken Cloke. What’s that about?
We have a series called the “Evening With” series where we bring in leaders in the conflict-resolution field across the country. They make a presentation and then have a discussion with local conflict resolvers. … Ken Cloke is an incredible leader in the conflict-resolution field. … He’s the co-founder of Mediators Beyond Borders, which is a volunteer organization, where teams work together in troubled places … to help them strengthen their conflict-resolution systems. We’re looking to create a more peaceful world where people can resolve their own problems in a productive and nonviolent way.
What is mediation’s role in the judicial system?
Mediation is now very much a part of the judicial process. Courts refer people to mediation. If they don’t settle at mediation, they continue on the track toward trial. But many cases settle at mediation. It’s more creative than the courts are permitted to be.
What types of cases are best-suited for mediation?
Mediation works in all kinds of cases. The only cases where it doesn’t make any sense to try is where it’s strictly a matter of law and you want a court to make the decision, where you are trying to set a precedent … or are seeking a legal remedy, like an injunction, or you want a public airing of an issue in open court.
— Emily Babay
