The International Institute for Conflict Prevention & Resolution (CPR Institute), a membership-based, nonprofit alliance of global corporations, law firms, scholars, and public institutions dedicated to the principles of conflict prevention and alternative dispute resolution, announced the recipients of the organization’s 2007 Corporate Leadership Award. This year’s honorees are ConocoPhillips and its Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Stephen F. Gates.


Each year, the CPR Institute honors a corporation that demonstrated leadership and commitment to the principles of conflict management and resolution and has institutionalized these principles into their corporate and industry culture. Previous honorees include Johnson & Johnson, General Electric and Ernst & Young.


A CPR Institute member since 1981, ConocoPhillips is a pioneer in the corporate legal community’s commitment to conflict resolution practices and principles. Under the leadership of Stephen F. Gates, the company’s rigorous early evaluation program and systematic approach to litigation management has resulted in a legal department that has notably increased shareholder value.


ConocoPhillips’ emphasis on these principles has helped shape one of the most efficient and effective corporate law departments in the world. In addition, the company has successfully promoted diversity not only in its legal department but also throughout the company.


“For their corporate leadership, commitment to principled conflict management and their dedication to promoting diversity, the CPR Institute is proud to honor ConocoPhillips and Stephen F. Gates,” said Kathleen A. Bryan, chief executive officer of CPR Institute. “ConocoPhillips has set a successful benchmark against which all companies’ legal departments should be measured.”


For more information, please visit www.conocophillips.com.