Course details

  • February 7- 11, 14+15, 2022

  • 9am - 12:45pm EST

  • Online via Zoom

  • Continuing Education Credits

    22 and 0.5 Ethics Virginia MCLE, 28.75 SHRM PDCs

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

  • Cost: $1,450

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.

About The Trainers

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.