Dick Calkins
Past President
Richard M. Calkins is a graduate of Dartmouth College and Northwestern University Law School. Admitted to bar, 1959, Illinois; 1981, Iowa. From 1959-1961 he served as a law clerk to Judge Elmer J. Schnackenberg of the 7th Circuit Court of Appeals. From 1961-1969 he was an associate and partner of the law firm of Chadwell, Keck, Kayser, Ruggles & McLaren. From 1969-1980, he was a founding partner of the Burditt & Calkins Law Firm.
During the years 1980-1988, he served as dean of the Drake University Law School, and from 1988 to 1993, was a partner in the law firm of Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease. In 1993 he entered the full-time practice of mediation and arbitration. Mr. Calkins was president of the American Mock Trial Association from 1984-2004; President of the Blackstone Inn of Court from 1992-94; President of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys from 1999-00 and Dean from 2000-02; and president of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution from 2014-2016. He has completed over 2800 mediations and arbitrations, and regularly holds classes in mediation training, having taught over 800 lawyers and 1000 law and undergraduate students.
He is also co-author of the treatise, Lane and Calkins Mediation Practice Guide.
During the years 1980-1988, he served as dean of the Drake University Law School, and from 1988 to 1993, was a partner in the law firm of Zarley, McKee, Thomte, Voorhees & Sease. In 1993 he entered the full-time practice of mediation and arbitration. Mr. Calkins was president of the American Mock Trial Association from 1984-2004; President of the Blackstone Inn of Court from 1992-94; President of the American Academy of ADR Attorneys from 1999-00 and Dean from 2000-02; and president of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution from 2014-2016. He has completed over 2800 mediations and arbitrations, and regularly holds classes in mediation training, having taught over 800 lawyers and 1000 law and undergraduate students.
He is also co-author of the treatise, Lane and Calkins Mediation Practice Guide.
