Because of Chief Judge Robert M. Bell’s vision and commitment to alternative dispute resolution (ADR), Maryland has become a national leader in the dispute resolution community.

The work of MACRO has been featured as a national model during conferences and special events set up by the American Arbitration Association, the American Bar Association, the Council of State Governments, the Policy Consensus Initiative, the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, and the Association for Conflict Resolution (ACR) (formerly Society for Professionals in Dispute Resolution). Additionally, MACRO works closely with other state dispute resolution offices as part of a national network to develop and advance the ADR field.

In 2001, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation awarded MACRO a three-year, $300,000 general support grant to serve as a model for other states by bolstering our program evaluation efforts, making technical assistance visits to states interested in replicating Maryland’s process, and developing a handbook on statewide collaboration. MACRO is currently working with interested stakeholders in Colorado, Delaware, Iowa, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Vermont and Wisconsin.

In 2000, MACRO received a Significant Practical Achievement Award from the CPR Institute for Dispute Resolution, and in 2001, the Association for Conflict Resolution recognized Rachel Wohl with the Mary Parker Follett Award for innovation and leadership in the ADR field, in recognition of MACRO's work."

In addition, MACRO has captured international attention in the ADR community, and MACRO staff have met with visitors from Israel, Malta, Scotland, Thailand, Zambia and the Country of Georgia. Senior judges, attorneys and mediators from Scotland are planning a trip to Maryland for several days in February, 2003, to meet with Chief Judge Bell and to see MACRO’s accomplishments first hand. In addition, a Harford Community College peace studies professor with connections to Estonia is working with stakeholders there who are interested in replicating Maryland's process.

MACRO is pleased to assist other states and nations in their efforts to advance ADR use. For more information, please call 410-260-3540 or send e-mail to MACRO@mdcourts.gov.