Requirements
Applicants must meet the following eligibility and participation requirements to be considered for the program.
Key dates - 2026–2027 cycle
- Applications Open
- Now
- Application Deadline
- Friday, August 21, 2026 (11:59 p.m. Pacific)
- Acceptance & Waitlist Notifications
- Tuesday, September 8, 2026
- Program Orientation (Required)
- Thursday, September 17, 202612:00 p.m. ET / 11:00 a.m. CT / 10:00 a.m. MT / 9:00 a.m. PT
- Program Begins
- October 2026Participants will receive their cohort meeting schedule during Orientation.
Orientation attendance is required for all accepted participants.
Eligibility
- Be a member of the ABA Dispute Resolution Section
- Be engaged in or actively developing a dispute resolution practice
- Be willing to participate throughout the full nine-month program
- Be prepared to devote approximately four to six hours per month
- Attend cohort meetings and participate actively
- Complete practice-building assignments
- Contribute respectfully to a collaborative cohort environment
Participation expectations
- Attend scheduled cohort meetings
- Communicate with facilitators
- Complete program assignments
- Participate in group discussions
- Protect confidential information shared by other participants
- Maintain professional and respectful conduct
- Make a good-faith effort to implement the program work
Technology expectations
- Reliable internet access
- Access to email
- Ability to participate in video meetings
- Ability to access and upload online documents
- Basic comfort using an online learning platform
Time commitment
Participants should expect to devote approximately four to six hours per month to meetings, assignments, and implementation work.
$3,000Program investment
Each participant invests $3,000 in their practice development for the nine-month program. Payment is due upon acceptance and confirms your place in the cohort.
ABA Section membership
ABA Dispute Resolution Section membership must be active before final admission into the program. Applicants who are not yet Section members may still apply, and admitted participants must remain Section members throughout their participation in the program.