Weatherspoon Receives National Award for Dispute Resolution Efforts

November 8, 2005

CADRE Mediation Specialist Anita Engiles, Professor Floyd Weatherspoon, CADRE Director Marshall Peter

On Sat. Oct. 29, 2005, Capital University Law School Professor Floyd D. Weatherspoon was honored with the 2005 “Keys to Access” award presented by CADRE, the Consortium For Appropriate Dispute Resolution in Special Education in Eugene, Oregon. The award recognizes individuals and organizations that have supported special education programs, early intervention services, and/or persons with disabilities, with the goal of promoting justice, equity and respect for all individuals.

For each of the last four years, Weatherspoon has organized a national conference or training institute to bring more minorities into the dispute resolution area. Because of his commitment and dedication, he has been able to provide high quality, informative trainings for hundreds of individuals from across the country, many of whom are finding work in ADR as a result of their attendance.

“Professor Weatherspoon’s inspirational leadership has drawn national attention to the critical need to increase the presence of minority professionals at all levels and in all areas of alternative dispute resolution,” said Marshall Peter, director of CADRE. “He is making an extraordinary contribution to an aspect of dispute resolution practice that cries out for our attention. His leadership and selfless contributions fit perfectly with the criteria for the Keys to Access Award.”

Weatherspoon said he is humbled and honored by the award and that he will be steadfast in his efforts. “Unfortunately, there is a disproportionate number of minorities in our school’s special education programs. I hope to continue to bring more minority advocates to the special education dispute resolution process, to better represent and advocate for the children in our schools.”

Weatherspoon, a member of the Capital University Law School faculty since 1989, is a widely-recognized dispute resolution expert. He has extensive experience in the mediation of labor and employment discrimination disputes. He has served as a hearing officer, arbitrator, fact finder and mediator in more than 500 disputes involving complaints of discrimination, labor and employment in the public and private sectors. Weatherspoon has experience in the mediation and arbitration of sexual harassment, age discrimination, sexual orientation, disability discrimination, and race discrimination cases. He is also the author of numerous articles on such topics as reprisal discrimination, disability laws, race discrimination, and African American males and the law.