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2017 UCCR Peacekeeper Award

Stephen D. Kelson

Attorney and Mediator

Stephen Kelson exemplifies the spirit of a UCCR Peacekeeper. He is dedicated to the profession, competent, and dependable in following through with commitments. As a leader in the field, he encourages collaboration by inviting voices from all perspectives, and he has been an ambassador in connecting the conflict resolution community with other professions. Steve contributes to the field of conflict resolution regularly without compensation. He has been actively involved in the Utah Council on Conflict Resolution (UCCR) for many years. He served as Chair of the UCCR Board in 2014-2015 and organized the UCCR Brown Bag monthly presentations, partnering with the Dispute Resolution Section of the Utah State Bar Association to increase attendance at these monthly events. Last year, Steve established the UCCR Peace Builder Scholarship Fund, which awards grants to local teachers who use the funds to further conflict resolution skills among their students. He also provides service to the community as a pro tempore small claims judge, volunteers as a mediator for Utah Dispute Resolution (UDR), and serves on the UDR Board of Trustees. Steve was Chair of the Dispute Resolution Section of the Utah Bar Association, participated on the Utah Judicial Council Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee, and was a member of the American Bar Association (Litigation Section) ADR Committee.

Steve is a shareholder at the law office of Christensen & Jensen PC in Salt Lake City, Utah, where his practice focuses on commercial litigation, personal injury, and mediation. Steve has been mediating civil litigation cases since 2000 and has conducted over 500 mediations. He has been a Court-Qualified Mediator on the Utah Court Roster of Mediators since 2002 and has achieved Master Mediator status. Steve earned B.A. and M.A. degrees from the University of Utah, Juris Doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School, Master of Dispute Resolution from the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution at the Pepperdine University School of Law, and has completed over 800 hours of training in alternative dispute resolution. Steve regularly lectures and publishes on topics related to dispute resolution, professional responsibilities, and the practice of law and is a frequent presenter for professional organizations. He received the Utah Judicial Council’s 2011 Service to the Courts Award for outstanding contribution to Utah’s judicial system, is listed as one of Utah’s Legal Elite in Civil Litigation, and was designated Volunteer Mediator of the Year in 2005 by Utah Dispute Resolution.

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Mail donations payable to Utah Council on Conflict Resolution.

Utah Council on Conflict Resolution
P.O. Box 25221
SLC, UT 84125-0221

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