Civil Mediation Training Course October 2026
Oct. 2, 3, 5, 6 (8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.) and Oct. 8 (8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.) | New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick
Registration Rates:
Member: $1350.00
Non-Member: $1595.00
Earn up to 48.2 credits, including 5.0 in ethics and 3.0 in diversity.
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 | |
| 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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| F. Peter Phillips, Esq. Business Conflict Management, Montclair |
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| Terri R. Reicher, Esq. Professor of Law, NJAPM, Pompton Lakes |
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| Richard H. Steen, Esq. Past President, New Jersey State Bar Association Richard H. Steen, LLC, Princeton |
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ABOUT THE PROGRAM
Training Schedule:
Day 1 – Friday, Oct. 2 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 2 – Saturday, Oct. 3 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 3 – Monday, Oct. 5 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 4 – Tuesday, Oct. 6 | 8:30 a.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Day 5 – Thursday, Oct. 8 | 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m.
All sessions will be at the New Jersey Law Center, New Brunswick
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 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.
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: Friday, Oct. 2
8 | 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
11:15 | The Stages of Mediation – Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
- Red Devil Dog Lease video 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 | 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: Saturday, Oct. 3
Instructors – Richard H. Steen, Esq. and Terri R. Reicher, Esq.
8 | Registration and sign on
8:30 | Mediation in Action: Role Play (including debriefing) – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
- Role play – Little & Jenks*
9:30 | Presentation – Venting in Mediation: A catalyst or impediment to resolution? – Terri R. Reicher, Esq.
10:30 | Break
10:40 | Getting to Yes: Video and discussion on interest, options, standards and BATNA – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
12:30 | Lunch
1 | 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 – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
3 | Break
3:10 | Continuing Ethics
4 | Role Play by Students: The harassment of Sally Labtech – Employment issues and debriefing – Richard H. Steen, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 3: Monday, Oct. 5
Instructors – Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. and Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
8 | Registration and sign on
8:30 | Short Presentation Reminders Re: How to Play a Role
Presentation: Exercising judgment – Its complicated explanation of misperception of experienced lawyers in making settlement decisions based on large scale studies – Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
10 | 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
1 | 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 | Reframing Presentation and Exercise and A Mediator’s Tool Box” – Reframing presentation; student reframing exercise/competition, with debrief – Suzanne M. McSorley, Esq. and Laura A. Kaster, Esq.
5:30 | Adjourn
Day 4: Tuesday, Oct. 6
Instructors – Felicia T. Farber, Esq. and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
8 | Registration – Administrative
8:30 | Cultural Competency – Felicia T. Farber, Esq.
10 | 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: Thursday, Oct. 8
Instructors – Andrew L. Smith, Esq., Peter Phillips and Robert E. Margulies, Esq.
8 | 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 (14 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 | Lunch
12:30 | Difficult Issues – Impossible Gap – Complex Sophisticated Role Play
2 | 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 | 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 5.0 in Ethics and 3.0 in Diversity (Full Credits Available: NJ Advanced Diversity: 3.0, NJ Ethics: 5.0, NJ General: 40.2). |
| NY CLE: | NY Diversity Non-Transitional: 3.0, NY Ethics Non-Transitional: 5.0, NY Professional Practice Non-Transitional: 39.0 |
| PA CLE: | PA Ethics Credit: 6.5, PA Substantive Credit: 32.5 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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