Family Mediation Training Course Winter 2026
Earn up to 49.5 credits, including 2.4 in ethics.
Training Schedule:
Tuesday, 1/27 | Tuesday, 2/3 | Thursday, 2/5 | Tuesday, 2/10 and Tuesday, 2/17
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Registration Rates:
Member: $1350.00
Non-Member: $1595.00
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Faculty
| MODERATOR: |
| Cindy B. Wilson, Esq. Wilson Family Law LLC, Chatham |
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| PRESENTERS | |
| Hon. David J. Issenman, (Ret.) Skoloff & Wolfe, PC, Livingston |
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| Adam J. Berner, Esq. Berner Law & Mediation Group, Hackensack |
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| Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq. Brandt Law & Mediation, LLC, Watchung |
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| Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. Cohn Lifland Pearlman Herrmann Knopf LLP, Saddle Brook |
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| Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM Divorce With Dignity Mediation Services, Hoboken |
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| Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. Phyllis Klein Mediation, LLC, Chatham |
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| Michael R. Magaril, Esq. Law Offices of Michael Magaril, Mountainside |
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| Robert E. Margulies, Esq. Past Chair, Dispute Resolution Section, New Jersey State Bar Association Schumann Hanlon Margulies LLC, Jersey City |
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| Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM Weir, LLP, Mt. Laurel |
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| Dr. Marcy A. Pasternak Overcoming Barriers, Watchung |
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| Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery Office of Dr. Sharon Montgomery, Morristown |
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| Richard H. Steen, Esq. Past President, New Jersey State Bar Association Richard H. Steen, LLC, Princeton |
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| Tamsen Thorpe, PhD Psychologist, Directions CLS, LLC, Morristown |
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| Amy Wechsler, Esq. Lawrence Law, Watchung |
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Training Schedule:
Tuesday, Jan. 27 | In-Person Only
Tuesday, Feb. 3 | Online Only
Thursday, Feb. 5 | In-Person Only
Tuesday, Feb. 10 | Online Only
Tuesday, Feb. 17 | In-Person Only
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
In-person dates at the New Jersey Law Center in New Brunswick
Become a court-approved mediator in just five days!
The state Supreme Court has amended Rule 1:40-5(3)(b) to expand the economic mediation program statewide. Each vicinage must have in place a post-Matrimonial Early Settlement Panel program for mediation of the economic aspects of divorce.
Those who have been trained in mediation skills and who meet other requirements set forth in the New Jersey Court Rules (Appendix 19) and are approved by the Joint Credentialing Committee of the Supreme Court CDR Committee and the Supreme Court Family Practice Committee, will be placed on a court-approved roster. After the first two pro bono hours on each case, court-approved mediators will be able to set market-rate fees for their services.
To help make your learning experience more rewarding, the speakers have requested that attendees read the following book in preparation for the program: “Getting to Yes: Negotiating Agreement Without Giving In” by Roger Fisher, William Ury and Bruce Patton.
During our five-day program, our panel will cover:
- Court rules and standards
- Mediator roles, skills, qualities and objectives
- Ethics
- Case law
- Building a mediation practice
- Role play and participation demonstrations
- How to manage emotions/emotional intelligence/dealing with difficult parties
- Consensus decision making
- Handling impasses
- Confidentiality
- And much more!
Become a Court-Approved Mediator in Just Five Days!
Our course qualifies you for admission to the Court Roster of Family Mediators when completed in accordance with Rule 1:40-12 requirements.
Program Agendas
Navigate through our five day program agendas using the tabs below to explore all that the 2026 mediation training has to offer.
Day 1: Tuesday, Jan. 27 | In-Person
8:30 | Registration, Student Introductions and Program Overview – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
9:00 | Intro to Court-Ordered Mediation; Court Rules and Governing Standards – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
10:00 | Break
10:15 | Uniform Mediation Act and Evidence Rule 519; Standards and Conduct – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
11:30 | Lunch
11:45 | Mediator Baggage and Managing Emotions: Intro to Neuroscience – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
12:15 | Mediation Relevant Case Law – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
12:45 | Getting to Yes: Interest Based Negotiations for Mediation – Video and Discussion – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
2:45 | Break
3:00 | Positions vs. Interests and Needs – How to Uncover in the Mediation Process Introduction to Mediation Phases and Overview of the Process and Positions vs. Interests and Needs – Adam J. Berner, Esq.
5:00 | Q&A Session with Instructors – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 2: Tuesday, Feb. 3 | Zoom
8:30 | Insights into Affairs and Their Impact on the Divorce and Co-Parenting Process – Dr. Sharon Ryan Montgomery; Dr. Marcy A. Pasternak and Tamsen Thorpe, PhD
10:00 | Mediation Forums: In-Person, Zoom, Caucusing – Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
– Q&A with practical tips for success in each forum
10:45 | Intake Process and Case Screenings (Office Protocols) – Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
– Panel Discussion with Examples
11:20 | Break
11:35 | Mediator’s Opening Statements – 8 aspects of Opening Statements – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
12:00 | Demos of Instructors Doing Their Mediation Openings (Q&A) – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
1:00 | Lunch
1:15 | Important Mediation Documents – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
– Who does them? What’s in them?
– MOU vs. Agreement drafting? What are the pitfalls?
– Agreement to Mediate, Scrivener’s Letter, Cutoff Agreement, Term Sheets
2:15 | Mediator’s Qualities, Roles and Responsibilities – Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
3:15 | Break
3:30 | Inherent Tensions of Mediation and Interest Based Negotiations (Mnookin Video) Discussion with Q&A – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
4:00 | Role Play Exercises – Fish Bowl and Groups – All Instructors
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 3: Thursday, Feb. 5 | In-Person
8:30 | Thinking Outside the Box Exercise and Rope Exercise – Led by Cindy B. Wilson, Esq. with Instructors
9:00 | Mediator’s Role in Exploring the “Zones of Possible Agreements (ZOPA)” and “Value Creation” – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Amy Wechsler, Esq. and Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.)
– Difficult Situations and Difficult Parties
– Discussion with Q&A
10:00 | Break
10:15 | Active Listening Skills Presentation with Exercises – Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.); Michael R. Magaril, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
11:45 | Lunch
12:00 | Practical Mediation Tips – Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.)
1:00 | Approaches and Tips for Mediating Specific Issues – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Amy Wechsler, Esq. and Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.)
– Support, Equitable Distribution and Custody With Q&A
2:30 | Break
2:45 | Demonstrations and Participant Role Plays – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Amy Wechsler, Esq. and Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.)
– Practice Mediation Openings, Mediator Skills and Self Awareness
3:15 | Consensus Decision Making Exercise with Discussion – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Amy Wechsler, Esq. and Hon. David J. Issenman (Ret.)
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 4: Tuesday, Feb. 10 | Zoom
8:30 | Types of Mediation – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
9:00 | Panel Discussion and Demonstrations – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
– Mediator’s Perceptions and Implicit Biases
– Gathering Information and Facts – Determining Motivations and Interests
10:45 | Break
11:00 | Discuss Susan and Robert Fact Pattern – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
11:30 | Panel Discussion with Q&A – Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
– Mediator’s Skills, Techniques, and Self-Awareness
12:45 | Lunch
1:00 | Demonstration of a Mediation Scenario by Instructors (Q&A) – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
1:30 | Participant Role Play Exercises – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
– Susan and Robert Role Play
2:15 | Break
2:30 | Game: “What Would You Do If…” – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Michael R. Magaril, Esq.; Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq.
– Dilemmas and Quandaries Mediators Face
– Instructors with Participants
4:00 | Mediating When Domestic Violence is Identified with Q&A – Bruce P. Matez, Esq., APM; Phyllis S. Klein, Esq. and Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 5: Tuesday, Feb. 17 | In-Person
8:30 | Panel Discussion re Mediation Ethics – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
9:30 | Presentation of Ethics Scenarios with Q&A and Participant Involvement – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
10:30 | Break
10:45 | Mediator Skills: Four Part Active Listening Skills with Mid-Exercise Discussion – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
12:15 | Lunch
12:30 | Building a Mediation Practice with Q&A – Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM presents by instructor Q&A
2:00 | Break
2:15 | “What to Say When” Discussion with Panelists – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
2:30 | Explanation of Final Role Play and Evaluations – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
2:40 | Final Role Play and Evaluations – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
4:40 | Q&A and Closing – Cindy B. Wilson, Esq.; Anju D. Jessani, MBA, APM; Amy Wechsler, Esq.; Jeffrey Fiorello, Esq. and Jennifer L. Brandt, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
| CLE Credits | |
| NJ CLE: | NJ CLE information: This program has been approved by the Board on Continuing Legal Education of the Supreme Court of New Jersey for 49.5 hours of total CLE credit, including 2.4 in Ethics (Full Credits Available: NJ Ethics: 2.4, NJ General: 47.1). |
| NY CLE: | NY Ethics Non-Transitional: 2.0, NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 45.5 |
| PA CLE: | PA Ethics Credit: 2.0, PA Substantive Credit: 38.0 New: No PA CLE fee is required for this program. To earn PA CLE credits, a valid PA Bar ID number must be entered into the CLE form provided after attending the program. |
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