Product Description

MCLE is pleased to present this four-day, thirty-hour workshop designed specifically for mediators with knowledge of basic divorce law.

Rule 8 of the Uniform Rules of Dispute Resolution provides system-wide standards for court-connected alternative dispute resolution services in Massachusetts. Rule 8’s guidelines establish training, evaluation, mentoring, and continuing education requirements for mediators, among others. Who needs Rule 8 training? Mediators, arbitrators, case evaluators, conciliators, neutrals for mini-trials and summary jury trials, and dispute intervenors. Without the training, you can’t be on the list.

What’s covered?

This workshop trains mediators in divorce, custody, adoption, visitation, paternity, and other family law litigation. It enables you to serve as a family law mediator in compliance with state requirements.

Special focus

The emphasis is on interactive participation and “learning by doing.” The training blends theory and practice to enhance the performance of trainees. A variety of learning techniques are sensitive to individual learning styles. Lecture and role-play sessions cover basic considerations in the types of disputes addressed by mediation.

Agenda & Materials

• 9:30 - 9:35 am

  Welcome and Introduction

  on demand video Add to Cart
• 10:15 am - 10:30 am

  Role Play and Discussion

  David E. Belfort, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC , Cambridge
  
• 10:30 am - 12:00 pm

  Role Plays in Break-out Groups
• 12:00 pm - 12:30 pm

  Debrief Morning Role Play—Groups Reconvene

  • Scheduling conundrums which arise in mediation of a parenting plan
  • Wrap-up
• 9:35 - 9:55 am

  Employment Litigation: Preparing for Mediation

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  Timing and logistics; Selecting a good neutral; Tips on the mediation memo and how to present your case to a mediator to obtain the best settlement for your client
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

  Common Child Support Issues in Mediation of Children’s Issues

  • Discussion
  • Role Play Demonstration
• 2:30 pm - 2:45 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 2:45 pm - 4:15 pm

  Afternoon Role Plays in Break-out Groups
• 4:15 pm - 5:00 pm

  Debrief Role Plays- Groups Reconvene

  • Scheduling conundrums which arise in mediation of a parenting plan
  • Wrap up

  David E. Belfort, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC , Cambridge
  Lynn A. Kappelman, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP , Boston
  Hon. Bonnie H. MacLeod, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.); JAMS , Boston
  Monica R. Shah, Esq., Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP , Boston
  
• Day 3: Wednesday, July 10th
• 9:55 - 10:15 am

  Employment Litigation: Pros and Cons of Arbitration

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  Cost-benefit of less delay versus potentially lower damages; Selecting a good arbitrator; Tips for presenting your case at a hearing without a jury and through proposed fact findings and conclusions of law
• 8:30 am - 8:35 am

  Introduction
• 8:35 pm - 9:15 pm

  How Can You Say That? The Mediator’s Toolbox
• 9:15 am - 10:00 am

  The Use of Caucusing in Mediation
• 10:00 am - 10:15 am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 10:15 am - 12:15 pm

  Role Play- Small Groups

  David E. Belfort, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC , Cambridge
  Lynn A. Kappelman, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP , Boston
  Hon. Bonnie H. MacLeod, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.); JAMS , Boston
  Monica R. Shah, Esq., Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP , Boston
  
• 12:15 pm - 12:30 pm

  Debrief Morning Role Play
• 10:15 - 10:45 am

  Employment Litigation: Preparing for Trial

  on demand video Add to Cart

  Courtroom logistics and getting to know the judge; Preparing your client’s story for a jury; Use of witnesses and experts; Use of chalks and other visuals; Arguing legal issues through motions in limine, trial memos, and jury instructions
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

  Lunch (on your own)
• 1:30 pm - 3:00 pm

  Legal and Ethical Issues in Mediation
• 3:00 pm - 3:15 pm

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 3:15 pm - 4:00 pm

  Psychological Issues in Family Mediation
• 4:00 pm - 4:50 pm

  Diversity, Gender, and Cultural Issues in Mediation
• 4:50 pm - 5:00 pm

  Review and Questions
• Day 4: Thursday, July 11th
• 10:45 - 11:25 am

  Employment Litigation: Top Ten Dos and Don’ts for Mediation, Arbitration, and Trial

  on demand video Add to Cart
• 8:30 am - 8:45 am

  Welcome and Introduction
• 8:45 pm - 10:00 am

  Agreement Writing: Purposes, Pitfalls, Good Practice

  Be clear and concise; state the intentions of the parties understandably and enforceably
• 10:00 am - 10:15 am

  Networking and Refreshment Break
• 10:15 am - 12:30 pm

  Screening for Appropriateness of Mediation and Role Play

  How the principles of mediation inform your decisions about what is appropriate and what is a challenge; when and how to terminate; how intake can prevent problems in mediation

  David E. Belfort, Esq., Bennett & Belfort, PC , Cambridge
  Lynn A. Kappelman, Esq., Seyfarth Shaw LLP , Boston
  Hon. Bonnie H. MacLeod, Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts (Ret.); JAMS , Boston
  Monica R. Shah, Esq., Zalkind, Duncan & Bernstein LLP , Boston
  
• Fishbowl Exercise
• Fishbowl Exercise
• 12:30 pm - 1:30 pm

  Lunch (provided) and Guest Speakers

  Who Are You Now? The Thirty Hours that Changed Your Life
• 1:30 pm - 2:30 pm

  Nuts and Bolts & Building Your Practice
• 2:30 pm - 3:15 pm

  Listening Deeply to Your Client
• 3:15 pm - 3:30 pm

  Post Training Resources
• 3:30 pm - 4:00 pm

  Debrief & Questions
• 4:00 pm - 5:00 pm

  Reception

Please Note

MCLE webcasts are delivered completely online, underscoring their convenience and appeal. There are no published print materials. All written materials are available electronically only. They are posted 24 hours prior to the program and can be accessed, downloaded, or printed from your computer.

Chair

Faculty