Kelly Browe Olson
Mediating for Justice
Law Professor Kelly Browe Olson has dedicated her career to advocating for children and families; educating the next generation of lawyers; and training judges, lawyers, and other professionals in conflict resolution.
An associate professor and director of clinical programs for more than 11 years at the law school, Olson is said to be known as the 鈥渇oremost mediation professional in Arkansas,鈥� according to Kelly Terry, associate professor of law and director of externship programs and pro-bono opportunities at the law school.
Professor Olson directs the school鈥檚 Mediation Clinic, which she established shortly after joining 糖心Vlog传媒 Little Rock in 2001. The clinic handles mediations in conjunction with the Arkansas Dependency Neglect Mediation Project, which helps children achieve stability and safety, and the Arkansas Special Education Project, which mediates disputes between schools and parents of children with disabilities.
鈥淭hese mediation programs have served hundreds of Arkansas children and families,鈥� Professor Terry said.
Professor Olson serves on numerous commissions, boards, committees, and projects at the state level including the Arkansas Administrative Office of the Courts鈥�, Court Improvement Project; Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission; Arkansas Children鈥檚 Rights Council Advisory Board; Arkansas Conflict Resolution Association; Arkansas Coalition Against Domestic Violence; Arkansas Women鈥檚 Leadership Forum; and the Arkansas Access to Justice Commission.
Jennifer Jones Taylor, coordinator for the Arkansas Alternative Dispute Resolution Commission, said Professor Olson is 鈥減assionate about the welfare of children and families. She is committed to ensuring that families coming into the legal system receive assistance resolving their conflict in a way that best addresses their particular needs, minimizes damage, and focuses on creating a better future. She consistently works to achieve that goal by using her skills and expertise in providing direct mediation services, assisting other mediators in their professional development, and working with other agencies and courts to develop effective and efficient conflict resolution programs.鈥�
Professor Olson’s degrees include a LL.M. in child law from Loyola University, a J.D. from the University of Michigan, and a B.A. degree from Marquette University.