Dispute Resolution Center Austin and Central Texas

About Us

The Dispute Resolution Center is an independent, nonprofit organization that provides and promotes accessible, high-quality dispute resolution services for all people in Travis County and the surrounding areas.

All statistics for Fiscal Year 2023-2024

Total Dispute Resolution Sessions Held
0
Client Satisfaction Rate
0 %
Cases Diverted From Court
0 %

Austin DRC History

The Dispute Resolution Center Austin and Travis County was founded in 1983 after the implementation of the Texas Civil Practices & Remedies Code 154.052. This statute allows Dispute Resolution Centers to be established across the state. It also specifies the minimum education requirements for mediators, allows a surcharge on civil suit filing fees and created the Alternative Dispute Resolution Fund as a revenue source for these DRC’s.

Funding

The DRC in Austin operates as an independent nonprofit in our community. We have a small paid staff, approximately 60 volunteer mediators, and a volunteer Board of Directors. Our volunteer mediators come from all parts of the community and from a wide variety of backgrounds. Approximately 80% of our funding comes from the Travis County ADR Fund and the remainder comes from training services, grants, fundraising, and client fees. Client fees, which are nominal, help encourage the disputing parties to commit to the mediation process. These fees are never a barrier to services and are reduced or waived when appropriate.

Meet The Staff

Erin P. Robinson, LMSW

Executive Director

Guillermo Escorcia

Finance and Human Resources Manager

David Huang

Director of Case Management

Susan Sneller

Case Manager

Mindy Roeder

Case Manager

Rita Rancken

Office Manager

Patsy Shepherd

Administrative Consultant

Meet The Staff

Erin Patterson, LMSW

Executive Director

Lisa Weger

Finance Director

David Huang

Director of Case Management & Volunteer Services

Susan Sneller

Case Manager

Rita Rancken

Office Manager

Patsy Shepherd

Administrative Consultant

Mindy Roeder

Case Manager

Board of Directors

Sameer Shah

President 2025-2026 & Pct. 3 Appointee

Judge Belinda Herrera

Immediate Past President & Nominating Committee Chair

Judge George Thomas

Secretary

Katie Tousignant

Treasurer

Anna Rau

At Large

Amie Rodnick

Judge Andy Brown Appointee

Judge Amy Clark Meachum

Judicial District Court Rep.

Bettye Benten

At Large

Deven Desai

At Large

Heather Moreau

At Large

Jena Stude

At Large

Jennifer Luna

At Large

Dr. Larry Schooler

At Large

Magdalena de la Teja

At Large

Nadia Bettac

At Large

Renita Sanders

Pct. 1 Appointee

Robert O'Keefe

At Large

Scott Howard

Volunteer Mediator Representative

Annual Report

Dispute Resolution Center of Austin, Travis County
Annual Report

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