Local mediator proposes county-supported alternative dispute resolution program for landlord-tenant and employee disputes

Carlton Avery of Avery Mediation Services told the commission his firm has provided mediation across multiple Alabama counties and seeks to start a Montgomery County ADR program to resolve landlord-tenant disputes, employee grievances and community conflicts outside of court.

Avery described more than 200 hours of ADR training for his firm and said many of their cases are court-ordered; he noted work in multiple counties and about 200 landlord-tenant cases handled to date. He said the firm can also support county employee dispute resolution and offered to coordinate with local partners and the county sheriff's office on implementation.

Why it matters: Expanding community mediation services could reduce court backlogs, divert disputes from formal litigation and provide locally based conflict-resolution resources for residents and county employees.

Details and next steps: Avery said his program meets state-regulated ADR training standards and can collaborate with existing law-school or justice-initiative programs. Commissioners asked whether his group had engaged existing county violence-prevention efforts; Avery said he had reached out and that his program differs from current initiatives in methodology and training levels. He offered to provide materials and meet county officials, and commissioners invited him to share information with county staff and Sheriff Cunningham.

Outcome: No formal action was taken; commissioners asked staff to receive Avery's materials and explore possible collaborations.

Ending: Avery will provide information to county staff and follow up with Sheriff Cunningham and other county offices interested in ADR services.