This intensive five-day mediation training program is designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to mediate a variety of disputes. The course involves learning about mediation, and its underlying theory and role in conflict resolution. An emphasis is placed on understanding how mediation differs from the more ‘traditional’ methods of dispute resolution.
The course also combines process knowledge and skills, with emphasis on the importance of practical experience in becoming an effective mediator. During frequent role-plays, each participant will have the opportunity to mediate a variety of cases. The course will also provide the opportunity for self-refection, in terms of the mediator’s role.
During the course, participants will learn:
- General principles of the mediation process
- Identification and practice of communication skills used by mediators
- Understanding the role of the underlying, often not apparent, interests of the individuals and how that can lead to more productive discussions
- Introduction to the negotiation process, including methods and styles of negotiation
- Understanding the role of the mediator in identifying problems or barriers in the parties’ negotiation and the effective facilitation of negotiation
- How to facilitate more innovative and creative options for resolution
- Ethical considerations associated with mediation
- Identifying your mediation technique and style, and flexible approaches
The course satisfies the 40 classroom hours of training required to mediate court-referred disputes as indicated in the Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution Act § 154.052, Tex. Civ. Prac. & Rem. Code Ann. It also meets the Texas Mediator Credentialing Association and Texas Mediation Trainers Roundtable's requirements.
2025 Dates and Location
April 28, 29 & 30 - Online Only
May 5 & 6 - In Person (Rudder 301)
8 - 5 p.m.
Benefits of Mediation Training
Mediation training provides participants those skills for dealing with conflict in their personal and professional lives, and in some instances can also be a foundation for a new career. In other words, mediation skills, or more broadly considered conflict resolution skill, are applicable and beneficial in nearly everyday interactions with others. Mediation training involves learning techniques and skills that can help individuals cope with conflict. And with a focus on communication, the participants often have a renewed sense of the importance of clarity in communications. This course will also provide the participants a structured process for assisting others in effectively addressing disputes and conflicts.
The Instructor
Kimberlee Kovach has been a leader and visionary in the modern mediation and alternative dispute resolution movement for over four decades. She created and led the first forty-hour mediation training in Texas in 1980, and has been training mediators ever since. She regularly conducts trainings and workshops on specialized dispute resolution topics including advanced mediation approaches, ethical issues and negotiation.
Kovach was a founding officer and served as Chair of the ABA Section of Dispute Resolution. She also served as Chair of the ADR Sections of both the Texas State Bar and Houston Bar Associations.
She has taught a variety of ADR courses in legal education for over thirty years, and was a leader in the creation of mediation clinics. She authored the first widely adopted mediation textbook, Mediation: Principles and Practice, (3rd Ed. 2004,) as well as Mediation In A Nutshell (3rd Ed. 2014) (4th Edition forthcoming). Kovach has also published numerous law review articles and book chapters on a variety of ADR related topics, several of which are cited by scholars, courts and practitioners.
Kovach has received several awards for her contributions to mediation and dispute resolution and was honored with the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award by the International Academy of Mediators in recognition of her extensive work in the field.
