The Bar Association of San Francisco's ADR Department presents
Cross-Cultural Dispute Resolution
A One-Day Intensive Certificate Program
| Date |
Friday, September 11, 2026 |
| MCLE Registration |
8:30 - 9:00 a.m. |
| In-Person Program |
9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. |
| MCLE |
7 Hours |
| Location |
BASF Offices
50 Fremont Street, Suite 1700
San Francisco, CA
|
Transform your approach to conflict with this high-level, experiential program focusing on practical tools and real-world application to advanced mediation namely cross-cultural conflicts. This advanced session offers a unique opportunity to learn how the obvious and not-so-obvious cultural difference impacts resolution of inter-personal and inter-state (international) disputes. Specifically, the course will bring a global perspective to understanding the impact of culture in the most used international and domestic dispute resolution practices of negotiation and mediation.
This training is designed for anyone who interacts with cultures—be they organizational, regional, religious, racial or socioeconomic—in their practices. The training will discuss ways to deal with cultural differences as well as blunders to avoid in cross-cultural situations, especially in cross-cultural negotiation and cross-cultural mediations. You don't need to be a lawyer or an advanced practitioner to take this training, but you should aspire to learn how to deal with cultures to be part of this training. All are welcome.
This unique training creates a world-class environment for networking and cross-cultural learning that is unavailable in standard training.
Topics
- Advanced tips and advice for navigating diverse negotiation styles across cultures
- How to identify and avoid the 7 most common blunders in cross-cultural mediation
- Understanding the psychological and social drivers that influence how parties reach a settlement.
- Proven strategies for overcoming deadlocks rooted in cultural dynamics and complexity
Utilizing the natural human curiosity to deepen your understanding of cultural context to build trust and neutrality
PROGRAM SCHEDULE
8:30 - 9:00 a.m.| MCLE Registration
9:15 - 10:00 a.m.
Understanding Culture, Cross-Cultural Blunders and Communication
- Understanding the definition of Culture and Cultural Identity
- What Culture Matters?
- How do we view culture?
- Why is Cross-Cultural Communication difficult?
10:00 - 11:00 a.m.
Cross-Cultural Identity Exercise and Role Play
- A discussion-based exercise between the participants based on pre-prepared questions by Dr. Singh
- Exploring the power of culture on identity
- Understanding how culture impacts our decision making
- The goal of the exercise if to give an opportunity to the participants to empathize with diverse cultures
11:00 - 11:40 a.m.
Prison Culture and Mediation - Interview with Judy Bornstein
- Overview of the San Quentin Rehabilitation Center
- Discussion of path to teaching mediation to prisoners and its impact on personal and professional growth and learning
- Impact ofculture; especially organizational culture on how dispute resolution is taught and received inside the prison walls
- Key takeaways from this master class on cross-cultural dispute resolution
11:40 a.m. - 12:00 p.m.
Concluding Remarks for the Weinstein Senior Fellows
- A round up of perspectives from Kenya, Romania and Ecuador
- Summary of best practices for cross-cultural communications
12:00 - 1:00 p.m.
Break
1:00 - 2:00 p.m.
Cross-Cultural Fluency
- Understanding not just “why” but “their why”
- Clarify your role with a neutral lens
- Creating a problem-solving strategy
- Gaining Knowledge and a Diverse perspective
2:00 - 3:30 p.m.
Pitfalls Exercise and Role Play
- The Kitchen Role Play
- Role plays distributed during lunch
- Mediating a Cross-Cultural Case
3:30 - 4:20 p.m.
Listening Creatively is the Answer: Understanding barriers to Cross-Cultural Dialogue. Implicit Bias and Learning.
- Creative listening and Necessity: Understanding implicit bias.
- Learning from Global Practices on Listening
- Observation
- Validation
- Questioning
- Appreciation
- Summary
- Cultural Barriers to Dialogue
4:20 - 5:00 p.m.
Bridging Identites
- Creating a summary of best practices
- Sharing future readings
- Conclusion
Faculty
Dr. Singh is a mediator, facilitator, trainer, and author with more than 25 years of experience in dispute resolution, negotiation, and leadership. A former Managing Director of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law, he is an international mediator who serves on the JAMS panel and the Weinstein International Foundation. He has delivered over 500 talks in more than 50 countries and is a two-time TEDx speaker and Peacemaker Award recipient. Dr. Singh is author of forthcoming book, Cross-Cultural Intelligence by Amplify Publishing (2026).
Interested in sponsorship opportunities? Email adr@sfbar.org.
Event Code: ADR262055
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Cost
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Program Access
This is an in-Person program only. Virtual access will not be available. Program recordings are not guaranteed and/or included with this registration, nor immediately accessible to registrants. Approved recordings of live programs are converted to On-Demand CLE Courses and available for separate purchase through a third-party library 30 business days after the live recording.
Attending Programs
This event may be filmed or photographed. By participating in this event, you consent to have your likeness used for the BASF/JDC’s archival purposes and promotional materials. If you do not want to be photographed, please inform a BASF/STAFF person or the photographer.
Substitution, Cancellation, and Refund Requests
A 50% refund is available if you cancel at least 30 business days prior to the event. For cancellation, please email adr@sfbar.org.
If you are unable to attend, you may send a substitute. Please email adr@sfbar.org.
MCLE Notice
To receive MCLE credit, you must sign in during the designated MCLE registration period. This activity is approved for Minimum Continuing Legal Education credit by the State Bar of California. BASF is a certified provider: Provider #103
Accessibility
People with disabilities and/or special requests should contact BASF regarding reasonable accommodations.