Mediation Training for Lawyers

The Werner Institute for Negotiation & Conflict Resolution presents Mediation Training for Lawyers. Designed for new and experienced lawyer mediators and for lawyers representing clients in mediation, this three-day in-person training focuses on mediating claims before and during litigation. Experienced mediators lead interactive training covering effective mediator styles, understanding negotiations and barriers to settlement, mediator techniques for assisting parties to reach settlement, ethical issues, and emerging best practices for in-person and online mediation. Based on feedback from last year’s training, this year’s training has been expanded to include time for attendees to apply their skills in small group practice environments. The training also fulfills the 24-hour training requirement for mediators on the District of Nebraska’s mediator roster.

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Designed For

New and experienced lawyer mediators and for lawyers representing clients in mediation

Provided By

Werner Institute for Negotiation & Conflict Resolution at Creighton University School of Law
Creighton University Office of Continuing Education

Featured Faculty

Susan M. Bazis
United States Magistrate Judge, District of Nebraska

Rachel Goedken, JD
Associate Professor of Law and Director, Werner Institute for Negotiation & Conflict Resolution

Michael Kinney, JD
Mediator and Partner, Cassem, Tierney, Adams, Gotch & Douglas PC

Laurel Stevenson, JD
Director, Mediation and Assessment Program, United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri

Agenda

Thursday, August 24

7:30 a.m.
Check-in and light breakfast

8 a.m.
Welcome and Overview of Training
Negotiations and Why They Break Down
How We Mediate: Goals and Styles

10 a.m.
Break

10:10 a.m.
Statutory Framework for Mediation
Mediation Plan for the United States District Court, District of Nebraska, revised December 2022
Mediation and Assessment Plan for the United States District Court, Western District of Missouri

Noon
Lunch (provided)

12:40 p.m.
Mediation Stages and Skills: A Starting Point

3 p.m.
Break

3:10 p.m.
Pre-mediation Communication

5 p.m.
Adjournment

Friday, August 25

7:30 a.m.
Check-in and light breakfast

8 a.m.
Opening the Mediation Session
Defining the Issue(s)
Developing Information

10 a.m.
Break

10:10 a.m.
Small Group Skills Practice and Debrief: opening the mediation session, defining the issue(s), developing information

Noon
Lunch (provided)           

12:40 p.m.
Initial Offer and Counteroffer
Emotions in Bargaining
Techniques to Facilitate Movement

3 p.m.
Break

3:10 p.m.
Small Group Skills Practice and Debrief: delivering an offer/counteroffer, addressing emotions, facilitating movement

5 p.m.
Adjournment

Saturday, August 26

7:30 a.m.
Check-in and light breakfast

8 a.m.
End Game Settlement Techniques

10 a.m.
Break

10:10 a.m.
Strategies for Specific Legal Disputes

Noon
Lunch (provided)

12:40 p.m.
Closure, With or Without Settlement

1:30 p.m.
Ethical Considerations in Mediation, including Online Dispute Resolution and ChatGPT

2:30 p.m.
Break

2:40 p.m.
Applying the Theory to Litigated Cases

5 p.m.
Adjournment

Continuing Education

This program has been approved for 24 hours of Continuing Legal Education (CLE) credit in Nebraska and Iowa including 1.75 hours of Professional Responsibility in Nebraska and 1.25 hours of Ethics in Iowa.

Missouri CLE
This program has been approved for 28.8 total hours, including 1.2 ethics hours in the State of Missouri.

Registration

Register before June 8th for $250.
After June 8th registration increases to $400. 

Refund Policy

Continuing education and professional development courses may be cancelled by the attendee in writing up to 7 days before the course begins for a full refund, less a $25 processing fee. No refund will be given 7 days prior to the course. Some courses are not eligible for a refund; these exceptions are noted in specific course descriptions. If a course is cancelled by the University for non-weather related issues, the student will be notified and a full refund will be processed. In the event of a weather related closure, the course will be rescheduled.