Civil Mediation Training Course – Winter 2026
Earn up to 48.2 credits, including 3.0 in ethics and 3.0 in diversity.
Training Schedule:
Monday, 2/9 | Wednesday, 2/11 | Saturday, 2/14 | Monday, 2/16 and Tuesday, 2/17
8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. (2/9, 2/11, 2/14 and 2/16)
8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m. (2/17)
All sessions will be at the New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick
Registration Rates:
Member: $1350.00
Non-Member: $1595.00
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Faculty
| MODERATOR: |
| Robert E. Margulies, Esq. Past Chair, Dispute Resolution Section, New Jersey State Bar Association Schumann Hanlon Margulies LLC, Jersey City |
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| PRESENTERS | |
| Theodore K. Cheng, Esq. ADR Office of Theo Cheng LLC, Princeton Junction |
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| Felicia T. Farber, Esq. Farber Resolutions, LLC, Wayne |
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| Laura A. Kaster, Esq. Appropriate Dispute Solutions, Princeton |
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| Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. Stevens & Lee, Princeton |
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| Terri R. Reicher, Esq. Professor of Law, NJAPM, Pompton Lakes |
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| Andrew L. Smith, Esq. Andrew Smith Law Group LLC, Flemington |
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| Richard H. Steen, Esq. Past President, New Jersey State Bar Association Richard H. Steen, LLC, Princeton |
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Training Schedule:
Day 1 – Monday, Feb. 9, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 2 – Wednesday, Feb. 11, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 3 – Saturday, Feb. 14, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 4 – Monday, Feb. 16, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 5 – Tuesday, Feb. 17, 2026 | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All sessions will be at the New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick
Presented in cooperation with the Justice Garibaldi ADR Inn of Court and the NJSBA Dispute Resolution Section
Expand your practice – Become a Court-Approved Mediator!
Course Requirement!
The New Jersey Supreme Court mandates that certain complex cases be sent to mediation, using court approved mediators. The program includes all New Jersey counties. Pursuant to Court Rule 1:40-12, those individuals who have been trained in basic mediation skills and who meet other requirements will be placed on a court-approved list and selected to mediate these cases. After the first two free hours on each case, court-approved mediators will be able to set market-rate fees for their services.
What is required to become a court-approved mediator?
Eligibility for inclusion on the court’s civil mediator roster is determined by a subcommittee of the Supreme Court Committee on Complementary Dispute Resolution. Pursuant to Court Rule 1:40-12, all applicants must be mentored by an experienced court roster mediator (who has been approved to serve as a mentor) for at least five hours in at least two Superior Court cases. Educational and experiential requirements are also necessary, as well as completion of an application form.
What do I have to do to meet the training requirements?
In just five days with NJICLE, you can complete the basic training requirement. A distinguished panel of professionals highly experienced in mediation skills will lead you through a series of lectures, demonstrations, exercises, and role playing. You’ll gain the knowledge you need to effectively manage conflict, enhance your communication and negotiation skills and learn strategies for dealing with the problems you are likely to encounter during the mediation process.
The course includes personal and professional feedback.
Approved roster mediators are also required to attend four hours of continuing mediation-related training annually, commencing the year following your initial training.
This seminar also satisfies the U.S. Bankruptcy Court basic bankruptcy mediation training requirements in D.N.J. LBR 9019-1(c). Mediation: Mediator Qualifications and Compensation which requires that prospective mediators satisfy a mediation training course.
How do I register?
If you are planning to attend, please register as soon as possible. Registration is limited. You can register by phone or online.
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: Monday, Feb. 9
Instructors – Robert E. Margulies, Esq. and Theodore K. Cheng, Esq.
8:00 | Registration and sign on
8:30 | Program Overview – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
8:40 | The ADR Universe and the Role of Mediation, The Process in Context: Making the Leap from Litigator to Mediator – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
10:20 | Break
10:30 | Using ZOOM video conference platform to conduct a Mediation – Theodore K. Cheng, Esq. (via ZOOM)
11:15 | The Stages of Mediation – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
- Red Devil Dog Lease Videotape of Mediation Process and Discussion of Mediation Process in New Jersey
- Setting the Stage: Submissions and Scheduling Organizational Conference Call Discussion and Practice Exercise by Students
- Assisting Parties in Exchanging Information the Mediator’s Opening statement
Discussion, Demonstration and Practice Exercise by Students
12:30 | Lunch
1:00 | Caucusing and Shuttle Diplomacy
- Creating Settlement Options and Getting Closure
- Mechanics, Practical Considerations and Questions
1:45 | Break
2:00 | Mediation in Action: Role Plays – Robert E. Margulies, Esq. (including debriefing)
- Role Play – Bryan v. City of Oakdale*
- Role Play- Barry v. Knight*
- Role Play- Santara v. Kessel*Students act as mediators and parties in role play
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 2: Wednesday, Feb. 11
Instructors – Richard H. Steen, Esq. and Theodore K. Cheng, Esq.
8:00 | Registration and sign on
8:30 | Mediation in Action: Role Play (including debriefing) – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
- Role Play – Little & Jenks*
9:30 | Role Play by Students: Jake’s Restaurant – Small Business Problem and Debriefing
10:30 | Break
10:40 | “Getting to Yes”: Videotape and Discussion on Interest, Options, Standards and BATNA – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
12:30 | Lunch
1:00 | Getting to Yes (continued)
1:20 | Ethics Issues and Standards of Conduct- Interactive Discussion on Interplay of Legal Ethics Issues and Review of Mediation Standards of Conduct – Theodore K. Cheng, Esq.
3:00 | Break
3:10 | Continuing Ethics
4:00 | Role Play by students: The Harassment of Sally Labtech – Employment Issues and Debriefing – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 3: Saturday, Feb. 14
Instructors – Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. and Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
8:00 | Registration and Sign On
8:30 | Short Presentation Reminders Re: How to Play a Role
Presentation: Exercising judgment – It’s complicated explanation of misperception of experienced lawyers in making settlement decisions based on large scale studies – Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
10:00 | Break
10:10 | Active Listening Techniques and Skills Practice – Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. and Laura A. Kaster. Esq.
- “Looping” Presentation and Exercise
- Active Listening presentation
- “Asking Questions” Presentation and Exercise (Dance Innovations)
- Debriefing and Discussion
12:30 | Lunch Break
1:00 | Student Role Play and Debriefing: California Feuding – Laura A. Kaster. Esq. and Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq.
2:30 | Break
2:35 | Student Role Play and Debriefing: Construction Waste Piping Mess (Contract dispute; Construction) – Laura A. Kaster, Esq. and Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq.
4:00 | Reframing Presentation and Exercise and A Mediator’s Tool Box” – Re-Framing Presentation; Student Re-Framing Exercise/Competition, with Debrief – Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. and Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 4: Monday, Feb. 16
Instructors – Felicia T. Farber, Esq. and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
8:00 | Registration – Administrative
8:30 | Cultural Competency – Felicia T. Farber, Esq.
10:00 | Break
10:10 | Student Role Play and Debriefing: Tribute to Bablo’s Lizard – Felicia T. Farber, Esq. and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
11:10 | Student Role Play (Fishbowl) – Bank Card Processing – Robert E. Margulies, Esq. and Felicia T. Farber, Esq.
12:40 | Lunch
1:40 | Student Role Play & Debriefing: – A Problem with Carpets and Shawls (Mediation with Cross-Cultural Issues) – Robert E. Margulies, Esq. and Felicia T. Farber, Esq.
2:40 | Break
2:40 | Conducting Complex Mediations – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
3:50 | Student Role Play and Debrief – Larry Lawyer’s Ethical Dilemma – Felicia T. Farber, Esq. and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 5: Tuesday, Feb. 17
Instructors – Andrew L. Smith, Esq., Peter Phillips and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
8:00 | Registration and Sign On
8:30 | Preparation for Real Mediations, Mentor Requirement Including Questions and Answers – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
9:15 | Business of Mediation – How to Start Up Your Practice – Can I Make a Living (Interactive Lecture)
- More About Effective Caucuses (Techniques to make the time in caucus productive) and Impasse Breaking Techniques (fourteen techniques and when to use them)
- Authority and Power Issues – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
10:45 | Break
10:55 | Dealing with Pro Se Parties and Assessing Value with Decision Tree Analysis – Peter Phillips
12:00 | Lunch
12:30 | Difficult Issues – Impossible Gap – Complex Sophisticated Role Play
2:00 | Personalized Feedback on the Various Mediation Tasks; Openings, Impasse Breaking, Documenting Resolution
- Role Play – Cape Wine Industries v. Kenyan Spirits – Andrew L. Smith, Esq. and Peter Phillips
5:00 | 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 48.2 hours of total CLE credit, including 3.0 in Ethics and 3.0 in Diversity (Full Credits Available: NJ Advanced Diversity: 3.0, NJ Ethics: 3.0, NJ General: 42.2). |
| NY CLE: | NY Diversity Non-Transitional: 3.0, NY Ethics Non-Transitional: 3.0, NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 41.0 |
| PA CLE: | PA Ethics Credit: 5.0, PA Substantive Credit: 34.0 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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Important Information About Our Events, Meetings, and More:
To secure your spot and receive important updates about our events, meetings, and other gatherings, such as schedule changes, remember to register in advance.
Digital Materials & Environmental Commitment: As part of our commitment to environmental sustainability, unless otherwise noted, all seminar materials are provided as digital downloads. You can access these materials through:
- The “My Links” section at the top of our website for in-person or online events
- Or, for online programs, the event access link included in your joining instructions
Cancellation and Refund Policy:
If you need to cancel your registration and are not transferring to another program or date, please submit a written request to us at least three business days before the event, meeting, or gathering. You will receive a refund minus a $20.00 cancellation fee. No refunds or registration changes will be issued within three business days of the event, meeting, or gathering.
Stay Informed:
Registered participants will be notified of any schedule changes. For updates regarding inclement weather, please check your email or visit NJSBA.com.
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Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy:
Read our Scholarship & Financial Assistance Policy and submit an Application here: https://njsba.com/njicle/cle-programs/scholarship/