The Academy has, for the first time, brought together a majority of the state's best established, experienced neutrals in a single professional association. The Academy member database will become an invaluable online research tool for attorneys, litigation firms and support/scheduling staff to research, identify, and expedite the selection of established neutrals to help resolve even the toughest of civil disputes.

Membership:

Membership in the California Academy of Distinguished Neutrals roster is by invitation only. Membership is limited to established mediators and arbitrators, each of whom is confirmed to have met our nomination and experience requirements, and to have established a solid reputation in their respective fields.

The Academy has 2 levels of membership; Member and Diplomate Member:

For Membership to the Academy as a Member:

• Introductory nomination required from existing Diplomat Member of the California Academy.
• All Members are professional neutrals, in mediation/arbitration practice for a minimum of 3 years,
  and must declare that a minimum of 50% of their professional efforts are dedicated to ADR practice.
• Neutrals must have privately mediated/arbitrated at least 250 civil disputes, excluding pro bono,
  court appointed cases, or receive remuneration for mediation or arbitration work at least 50 days annually.
• 6 attorney client references required on application (attorneys for whom neutral has mediated/arbitrated disputes in the preceding 3 months, excluding pro bono/court appt cases). Each will be contacted
  and questioned as to applicant's expertise and professionalism.

For Membership to the Academy as a Diplomate Member:

• Introductory nomination required from existing member of the California Academy, plus either
  a second affirming vote by an Academy member or approval of Diplomate status by Advisory Committee.
• All Diplomate Members are professional neutrals, in majority or fulltime mediation/arbitration practice
  for a minimum of 5 years, with an active case load of at least 100 disputes per year. (If in arbitration practice, Diplomate Members are receiving remuneration at least 100 days annually).
• Diplomate Members must have privately mediated/arbitrated at least 1000 civil disputes, excluding
  pro bono court appointed cases.
• 6 attorney client references required on application (attorneys for whom neutral has mediated/arbitrated disputes in the preceding 3 months, excluding pro bono/court appt. cases.) Each will be contacted
  and questioned as to applicant's expertise and professionalism.

All nominees must provide attorney references (as described above) before being confirmed into the Academy.
The final decision to approve/decline membership rests with the Executive Administrator. If approved, must maintain their membership for a minimum of 1 year from date of approval.

Our Advisory Committee

The Academy Advisory Committee is an appointed committee of 8 Academy Members who have been instrumental
in helping to identify, and nominate, those mediators and arbitrators of repute across California. They have also
given advice as to suitable membership criteria, and suggestions/improvements that have led to the current version of this, our Academy website. For details regarding our Academy Advisory Committee, please contact us directly.

2009-2010 Membership Dues

• Membership : $40 per month / $480 annually
  (Preferred method of payment is a monthly charge to members' credit cards of $40)
  
• Members can also opt-in to the Academy's advertising campaigns, as run in various legal publications, such as Daily Journal, LA Lawyer, The Recorder, San Diego Lawyer, etc. These optional ad costs are then charged at an agreed rate to member cards, for the duration of the campaign.

Website Benefits

All Academy members receive a personal Profile Page, which they can control and edit by logging into their accounts to edit content. This web page is directly referenced at www.californianeutrals.org/yourname
(Example: See  http://www.californianeutrals.org/viggo-boserup)

Member webpages include: Personal photograph, contact information, printable location map, email, website link(s), printable PDF resume, case experience profile, biography text, rates information, contact information for scheduler. Members are also invited to publish their availability dates using our exclusive calendar tool software.
This useful information can then also be published on member's own websites (eg;  www.boserup.com )