Course details

  • February 3-7, 10 & 11, 2025

  • 9 am-1:00 pm EST

  • Online via Zoom

  • Continuing Education Credits

    22 (Virginia MCLE) -- 28.75 SHRM PDCs

  • Approved to complete the 20-hours basic mediation training requirements for Virginia Court Mediator Certification levels.

  • Cost: $1,465

Topics covered

Session 1 - Understanding Conflict

  • Introductions and course overview
  • Understanding conflict
  • Conflict cycles
  • Interest-based negotiation as a basis for mediation


Session 2 - The Mediation Process

  • Meeting the parties’ needs
  • Introduction to mediation
  • What is mediation?
  • Mediation demonstration
  • Pre-mediation preparation
  • Stage 1: Orientation


Session 3 - Understanding Parties, Identifying Issues and Mediator Skills

  • Stage 2: Understanding parties and identifying issue
  • Mediator communication skills: Summarizing, paraphrasing, asking questions, managing emotions, reframing, active listening
  • Handling intense emotions


Session 4 - Stage 3: Problem Solving

  • Role-play #1
  • Power imbalance
  • Stage 3: Problem-solving
  • Ethical considerations
  • Caucus


Session 5 - Stage 4: Agreement Writing

  • Video demonstration
  • Role-play #2
  • Stage 4: Agreement Writing


Session 6 - Unauthorized Practice of Law

  • Role-play #3
  • Unauthorized Practice of Law (UPL)


Session 7 - Mediator Ethics

  • Role-play #4
  • Ethics

Program structure

Blend of self-paced and live online sessions.

Activities include: self-paced readings; lectures; videos; discussion in large and small groups; individual reflection activities; practice activities in pairs and groups; and role-play simulations practice.

Instructors

Tracey Pilkerton Cairnie (She/Her), MA, PCC is a court-certified mentor mediator, ICF certified coach, facilitator, and trainer. She specializes in relationship and group dynamics, as well as management and leadership optimization, and she mediates resolutions and provides coaching to individuals and teams. Mrs. Cairnie is an adjunct professor at The Carter School at George Mason University. She holds an MA in Conflict Analysis and Resolution. 


James Q. Pope (He/Him), MSW, JD is an attorney, mediator, and consultant in conflict management and subjects related to workplace conflict, employee relations, civil disputes, and divorce. Mr. Pope has conducted mediation training for the governments of Israel and Palestine and has conducted conflict management, mediation, and negotiation training for numerous public and private organizations. He is an adjunct professor at the Catholic University Columbus School of Law and at George Mason University School of Law.


Cancellation Policy

NVMS may cancel classes for insufficient registration or inclement weather.  In the event that NVMS must cancel training, participants will be informed of this decision as soon as possible and no later than 2 days before the training is scheduled to run.  Training fee will be refunded in full by check or issued as a credit towards future classes. Cancellations by a participant require NVMS to be informed no later than 5 days before the workshop is due to take place for trainings of 16+ hours, and 3 days prior of the beginning of the workshop for trainings less than 16 hours. Cancellations made before 5 days prior to the training for 16+ hours training or before 3 days prior to the start of the training for workshops shorter than 16 hours, will result in a cancellation fee equal to 2% of the tuition fee.  Cancellations made less than 5 days prior to the training for 16+ hours training or less than 3 days prior of the start of the training for workshops shorter than 16 hours, will result in a cancellation fee equal to 30% of tuition fee.  Training fee will be refunded by check or issued as a credit towards future classes. Please allow 7-10 days for processing.  If no prepayment was made, NVMS will issue an invoice for the cancellation fee. This fee must be paid before you are able to register for future classes.  Registrants who fail to cancel or attend a workshop will be charged full tuition for the workshop