Are you a trained mediator ready to move from theory to real-time practice? Mediation Lab is an immersive, skills-focused online training designed for mediators who have completed foundational coursework and are ready to go deeper.

In this dynamic workshop, you’ll follow one continuous mediation case from intake to resolution. At every stage, our experienced instructors will guide you through the evolving process, demonstrating key techniques and then coaching you as you step into structured role plays using the same case. This “learn by doing” approach helps you build fluency and confidence while strengthening your ability to navigate the real-world dynamics of conflict.

What You’ll Experience

Each segment includes:

• Brief, focused teachings on essential tools and stage-specific challenges
• Live demonstrations by seasoned mediator-instructors
• Structured role play with real-time feedback
• Facilitated group discussion and coaching

By working through a single case from beginning to end, you’ll gain a holistic understanding of the mediation arc – learning to adjust your approach as new information and dynamics emerge. This format offers the practice time many mediators say they’ve been missing after basic training.

Who This is For

This program was created in response to feedback from experienced practitioners and past participants in our foundational programs. Many expressed the need for a space to apply their learning more deeply, with time to work a case from intake through agreement – an opportunity to integrate the Understanding-Based model into their own voice and practice.

Learning Objectives

• Conduct a full mediation using the Understanding-Based approach, from intake through closure
• Apply strategies that match the stage of the mediation and support party ownership
• Reflect on your own practice, using feedback and coaching to identify growth areas

Program Fee

The cost for the full two days is $550

Continuing Legal Education (CLE) Credit

The Center for Understanding in Conflict is an accredited provider of California MCLE. Participants will earn 13 participatory MCLE credit hours upon completion.

About the Trainers

Catherine Conner has been a mediation and collaborative practice trainer since 2004. She is a frequent presenter at collaborative conferences and family law workshops. She authored Collaborative Practice Materials with Steven Neustadter and Margaret Anderson. Catherine Conner’s private practice focuses on family law alternate dispute resolution, including mediation, collaborative practice, and private judging. She graduated from the UC Berkeley School of Law in 1982 and is a founding partner of Conner, Lawrence, Rodney, Olhiser & Barrett, LLP. She has been honored as the recipient of the Rex Sater Award for Excellence in Family Law, the Eureka award by Collaborative Practice California and was the 2018 honoree for Careers of Distinction.  She was on the Board of Directors of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals from 2007-2014 and served as the President in 2013.

Michelle Exline Minovi is a highly skilled divorce and family mediator with 12+ years family law experience.  As Managing Attorney at the legal services non-profit Ayuda in Washington, D.C., Michelle represented low-income and Spanish-speaking immigrant clients in complex matrimonial cases in the context of domestic violence. After moving to Brooklyn, Michelle litigated and won sole custody on behalf of a mother of two children who was forced to leave the ultra-orthodox community because she identified as queer. After three years of intense litigation, Michelle wondered if there was an alternative way to divorce. Michelle knew she had to pivot from litigation to mediation when she took her first mediation training at the Center for Understanding Conflict.

Melanie Rowen is a mediator and conflict coach who believes in the power of understanding-based conflict resolution to transform our world. She frequently trains individuals and groups on effective communication in conflict situations and on creating inclusive environments, particularly around gender, sexual orientation, and disability. Melanie previously litigated civil rights cases, including marriage equality, employment discrimination, issues involving transgender and gender non-conforming youth and their families, and issues facing LGBTQ+ elders, at the National Center for Lesbian Rights, and served on the Board of Directors of the Transgender Law Center. Earlier in her career, she worked in business litigation at Latham & Watkins LLP, and for many years, she was the Associate Director for Public Interest Programs at UC Berkeley School of Law. Melanie currently works in attorney professional development at the Bay Area offices of a large law firm, and is a member of the Board of Directors for the National Association for Law Placement.

PLEASE NOTE THAT REGISTRATIONS RECEIVED LESS THAN 72 HOURS PRIOR TO PROGRAM START WILL BE ACCEPTED AT THE DISCRETION OF THE TRAINING TEAM DUE TO DEMANDS OF PREPARATION TIME AND ROLE PLAY ASSIGNMENTS.

For additional information, please email us at [email protected].

*Please note that trainers are subject to availability and may change prior to program start without notice.

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