Allen Zerkin

Allen Zerkin

Email Address allen.zerkin@nyu.edu

Website http://wagner.nyu.edu/zerkin

Position or Title Adjunct Associate Professor

Professional Biography My practice, based at the Wagner Graduate School of Public Service at New York University, concentrates on public disputes and controversies, most involving public policy.  I typically work with a partner - Jean-Ann McGrane for environmental and public health issues, because of her extensive technical and managerial experience in these areas.I have co-facilitated four complex consensus building processes - three statewide, on "brownfields", scrap tire management and "biosolids" policy, and one citywide, designing a new AIDS housing system.  Our facilitation produced in each case sufficient trust to engender long-term commitment, persistence, hard work and, ultimately, exceptionally creative and thoughtful documents.  Two processes produced consensus agreements; the other two produced ideas that survive in the policy arena - in one case, legislation supported by a broad-based coalition.  (Unanimity is not always feasible in truly inclusive processes, and there are ethical limits to what neutrals should do to produce agreements.)My services also include developing and implementing convening strategies, designing and facilitating meetings and interactive conferences, mediating specific disputes, and training.  My style is informal, and variously serious, humorous, inspiring and challenging.  While I generally facilitate with minimum intrusiveness, I do not hesitate to provide strong direction when needed.

Address Line 1 295 Lafayette Street, second floor

City New York

State New York

Zip 100012

Phone 718-638-6891

Fax 212-995-4162

Small Business Yes

GSA Schedule Provider No

Federal Employee No

Native Dispute Resolution Network No

Total Cases Last 10 Years 6