Conference Sessions

Why are we mediators? How did this process develop and, importantly, why? What were, and still are, the fundamental human skills indispensable for mediators? Now, attention is paramount in understanding the potential role of AI in mediation and the implicit human skills that AI cannot replicate. In this regard, human mediation may be one of the last strongholds to preserve meaningful human dialogue. Two mediation pioneers reflect on these issues and identify the skill sets that will allow human mediators to reign supreme as mediation adapts to the use of AI.

Commercial contracts increasingly include mandatory arbitration clauses—but that doesn’t mean mediation is off the table. In fact, it may be the smartest place to start.

In this dynamic and practical session, Aric will explore how mediators can effectively navigate the unique challenges posed by arbitration clauses in commercial disputes. Aric will also examine when and how mediation can be used to resolve conflicts before arbitration begins—or even after it's underway.

High-conflict and narcissistic personalities can derail even the most well-structured mediations. In this practical and insightful session, participants will learn how to recognize key behavioral patterns, understand the dynamics at play, and apply proven strategies to maintain control, reduce escalation, and protect the integrity of the process. This session equips mediators with tools to stay calm, neutral, and effective, even with difficult parties.

This session explores how Islamic conflict resolution principles—rooted in justice, dignity, and community well-being—can enrich contemporary mediation. Participants will unpack Qur'anic and Prophetic approaches to dispute resolution, examining how concepts like Sulh (reconciliation) and Wasata (mediation) foster not just agreements, but restoration of trust. It offers practical tools for mediators engaging with Muslim parties and highlights universal lessons for cultivating ethical spaces.

Session focuses on how mediators can better react to financial issues that come up in mediation. For each financial asset, Pam makes recommendation on how mediators can best approach the discussion and avoid making financial mistakes that can lead to difficulty when assets are divided including unexpected taxes and penalties. Pam has been using and improving this presentation for nearly 10 years to educate new mediators at Mediators & Arbitrators of America (formally Mediators of Texas).

Designed for seasoned mediators, this session explores how to shape party perceptions, frame the strengths and weaknesses of each side, and manage expectations without compromising neutrality. We’ll discuss how to move parties from blame to problem-solving, create and claim value, and reframe deadlock moments. The program also includes a focused discussion on the ethical boundaries of persuasion, candor, and mediator discretion.

Conflicts in special education are often rooted in communication breakdowns. Whether the issue is disagreement over eligibility, services, evaluations, or behavior plans, these emotionally charged situations can quickly escalate into formal complaints or due process hearings if not managed with care. This session focuses on the most effective tools from mediation, Individualized Education Program (IEP) facilitation, and real-world practice to help mediators prevent conflict and foster collaboration—even in the most challenging scenarios.

Approaching mediation through a trauma-informed lens provides the space for parties to fully participate in the mediation process and craft satisfactory resolutions. We’ll look at how the guiding principles of trauma-informed care correlate to the basic tenets of mediation and provide a framework for the parties’ engagement that avoids re-traumatization, techniques for minimizing secondary trauma to the mediator, understanding how our own trauma triggers could derail the process, and much more.

Two new practitioners from widely different backgroundd reflect on their first two years as mediators. This session covers practical lessons learned—what worked, what didn’t, and how to improve. Topics include session management, dealing with challenging counsel, business development and management, and core ethical duties such as neutrality and confidentiality. Ideal for new mediators interested in being effective and growing a practice, this presentation offers real-world guidance for success with velocity.

Typically mediators operate under an ambiguous assumption of what they consider to be their personal demonstration of impartiality and non-bias. This talk introduces a tangible process whereby accountability regarding impartiality and non-bias can be reliably considered and tracked. It introduces a method of mediation that employs intention and structure of mediator intervention. This methodology offers a targeted focus on objective conflict cues manifest in the parties’ verbal and nonverbal contributions to the discussion and the application of structured objective intervention language to treat these cues.

This interactive program, inspired by "Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?", challenges mediators with real-world ethical conundrums. Using Mentimeter for live audience participation, attendees select from four possible answers before speakers reveal the best response, supported by case law and ethical guidelines. Topics include scenarios on confidentiality, impartiality, pro se parties, and drafting. Discussion and audience participation make each scenario a practical, entertaining, and thought-provoking learning experience.

Virtual mediations are here to stay and so is artificial intelligence. How can we merge the two? This session will focus on what is AI, as well as what are AI ethics. What are the AI ethics that mediators need to be aware of? What are all the Zoom settings we need to have and what can happen when we don’t use them? How to use AI workflows in a way that can keep all information confidential.

If you are looking to confidently handle employment and housing discrimination cases, this is your chance to gain crucial, up-to-date understanding of the laws shaping today's landscape. In this session you will get a comprehensive overview of the latest policy and procedural changes in employment and housing which will help set realistic expectations when mediating these cases.

In this session, we will explore: the facilitation of communication between participants by prompting them to talk about the past, present, and future; the participants' perception of the authority of the mediator; rules versus agreements for the mediation process; the legal definition of mediation in contrast to the moderated settlement conference; promotion of reconciliation, settlement, OR understanding among participants; and how to avoid giving opinions and imposing your own judgment on the issues.

Based on the success of the TAM New Mediator Q&A Forum, we will continue this theme with seasoned panelists who will welcome and address questions from both new and experienced mediators. This panel will be moderated by the delightful Pattie Porter, past TAM President, who will bring out the myriad perspectives from our panelists. Be curious and submit your questions in advance of the conference; then, listen, learn, and leverage your new insights. (Conference registrants will be given the opportunity to submit questions in advance of the Conference.)