Mary Bedikian

Mary A. Bedikian is the former district vice president for the Detroit Region of the American Arbitration Association; she worked for the organization for 28 years. Her extensive experience in ADR spans many sectors, including labor, commercial, construction, international, and employment. She has trained mediators and arbitrators in both the process and substance of ADR. In 1987, Professor Bedikian created one of the first interactive ADR courses in Michigan, which is taught at various law schools in Michigan. She served as an adjunct professor at both the University of Detroit Mercy School of Law and Wayne State University Law School for more than 10 years.

Professor Bedikian is well published. In 1988, she won first prize in the Sixth Annual National Labor Law Writing Competition for her article titled “Riding on the Horns of a Dilemma: The Law of Contract Versus the Law of Public Policy.” Professor Bedikian also co-authored two practice books in ADR: Michigan Pleading and Practice, Volumes 8A and 8B (West Services, Inc.), and Michigan Practice Series—ADR (Thomson West).

Bedikian was instrumental in creating the ADR Section of the State Bar of Michigan. She received the Distinguished Service Award in Recognition of Significant Contributions to the Field of Alternative Dispute Resolution from the section in 1999.

Professor Bedikian has acted as mediator in hundreds of cases since 1981. She was invited to be part of a special Court of Appeals mediation panel in 1994. She also has served as arbitrator in employment cases.

Professor Bedikian received her J.D. from MSU College of Law where she served on the Moot Court & Trial Advocacy Board.

Degrees

J.D. 1980, Michigan State University College of Law; M.A. 1975, B.A. 1971, Wayne State University