Alva Y. dial

Alva Y. Dial is a seasoned legal professional with over 20 years of experience specializing in claimant services, complex escalation management, and facilitating equitable resolutions within federal and class action contexts. She has demonstrated expertise in working collaboratively with diverse stakeholders—including claimants, courts, government agencies, and advocacy groups—to promote fair outcomes. Her approach emphasizes clear communication, thorough documentation, and strategic problem-solving, ensuring that all parties' interests are addressed and that resolutions are achieved efficiently and transparently.

In addition to her extensive legal and mediation background, Alva has significant experience managing complex escalations and providing high-level project support. In her current role as an Escalations Coordinator, she collaborates with diverse teams to handle escalations involving claimants and legal issues, ensuring timely and clear communication with all parties involved. Her approach emphasizes thorough documentation, prompt execution of action items, and the strategic use of data, metrics, and feedback to continuously improve escalation management processes. She also coordinates necessary resources and keeps key internal leaders and stakeholders informed about the status of escalations.

Previously, Alva worked as a Project Specialist where she demonstrated strong skills in quality assurance and client service by reviewing complex consumer inquiries that fell outside standard procedures. She responded to multifaceted client and customer communications across various channels, including phone, email, and written correspondence. Her expertise included creating, monitoring, and updating operational scripts and procedures for claims and correspondence teams, as well as assisting supervisors and project managers in resolving issues to meet client needs and enhance client satisfaction. She actively monitored case health by identifying errors and implementing solutions for prompt resolution.

Alva spent over a decade in pivotal legal roles in the public sector, most notably as Senior Staff and Managing Attorney for Claimant Services for the Office of the Monitor in Pigford v. Vilsack (D.D.C.), a landmark class action lawsuit involving more than 23,000 African American farmers who sued the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) alleging race discrimination. In this capacity, she coordinated extensive claimant outreach, managed thousands of inquiries, educated claimants on their rights, and assisted in implementing the Consent Decree.

Alva serves as Deputy Ombudsman for the In re Black Farmers discrimination lawsuit against the USDA. Appointed by Senior Judge Paul L. Friedman, she works closely with plaintiffs’ counsel, neutrals, grassroots farm advocacy groups, and class members to oversee and facilitate the implementation of the class action settlement agreement involving more than 90,000 African-American farmers. She mediates disputes, monitors compliance, makes recommendations to the court, and collaborates with federal agencies including the DOJ and USDA Office of Inspector General to investigate fraud and misrepresentations affecting claimants.

Before her work in claimant services and mediation, Alva began her career as an Assistant District Public Defender in the First Judicial District of Minnesota. There, she represented indigent adults charged with criminal offenses and juveniles in delinquency proceedings, served as guardian ad litem in child protection and custody matters, and developed trial strategies while advocating for her clients in court.

Alva holds a J.D. from the University of Minnesota Law School and a Bachelor’s degree in Criminal Justice from George Washington University. She was admitted to the bar in Minnesota and is currently licensed to practice in the District of Columbia and Federal District Courts.

Case List

  • Pigford v. Vilsack

  • In re Black Farmers

  • In re Boy Scouts of America and Delaware BSA, LLC, Claimant Services

Arbitration and Mediation Training

  • ABA Dispute Resolution Section (Washington, DC):
    8th Annual Arbitration Training Institute, 2014

  • Center for Dispute Settlement (Washington, DC):
    Advanced Mediation Techniques, 2013
    Mediation for the Professional, 2012

  • Minnesota CLE (Minneapolis, MN):
    Civil Mediation Training, 2013

Professional Affiliations

  • Member, Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals, 2025 - Present

  • Academy of Court Appointed Neutrals (Board Member, 2023-2025)

  • District of Columbia Bar (Member since 2012; Secretary 2017-2018)

  • District of Columbia Bar Attorney/Client Arbitration Board (2012-2017)

  • American Bar Association, Dispute Resolution Section (2012-2015)

  • Minnesota State Bar Association, ADR Section (2012-2014)

  • National Bar Association, Greater Washington Area Chapter (2012-2015)