Course Catalog

Mediation Clinic (4/4)

In the Mediation Clinic, students study mediation theory and practice and mediate real cases, including “small claims” civil cases in the District Court of Maryland for Baltimore City and employment discrimination cases referred by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. Through classroom seminars and simulations, case observations, and actual mediation practice with “debriefing” sessions, students learn skills that are essential to the roles of being a “neutral” or any type of legal professional. These include, for example, active listening, negotiation skills, facilitating communication, asking effective questions, identifying the interests and goals underlying a conflict, building trust, working as a team, problem-solving, managing cases, and drafting settlement agreements. In the Spring semester, students will also be required to write an essay or “white paper” about a topic related to dispute resolution and their work in the clinic.

In addition to mediation practice, students work with the law school’s Center for Dispute Resolution on various projects that promote effective, ethical conflict resolution, including the School Conflict Resolution Education Program. Mediation Clinic students serve as “liaisons” with K-12 public schools in the program. For example, law students have mediated conflicts between public school students, helped schools develop peer mediation programs, or provided dispute resolution workshops to students, school staff, and parents.

The Mediation Clinic requires a substantial commitment of time. If you do not have a flexible schedule, this clinic may not be right for you. The minimum time requirements to consider before you enroll in the Mediation Clinic are:

All Mediation Clinic students must attend a mandatory training at the law school on Wednesday, August 21, from 9:00 am- 5:00 pm. This is in addition to the General Clinic Orientation on August 22 and 23. Students who cannot take these trainings may not enroll in the course.
The Mediation Clinic meets as a class every Monday and Wednesday from 9:50 – 11:50 am.
The Clinic mediates cases at the Baltimore City District Court on Tuesday and Friday afternoons from 1-4 pm. Students must go to court on either Tuesday or Friday afternoon at least two times or more per month. In addition to day-of-trial mediations, students mediate pre-trial civil cases at the law school on dates mutually convenient for the parties and the clinic mediator teams.

Current & Previous Instructors:
Deborah Thompson Eisenberg; Toby Treem Guerin;

533C (CRN: 26106)       Credits: 4
    Eisenberg; Guerin.
    Spring, 2013 (Day).
    Wed: 9:50-11:50
    Room 202.
    Booklist.

533C (CRN: 96546)       Credits: 4
    Eisenberg; Guerin.
    Fall, 2013 (Day).
    Mon, Wed: 9:50-11:50
    Room 300A/B.
    0 openings. (Limit 15). Faculty permission required to add or drop.

533C (CRN: )       Credits: 4
    Eisenberg; Guerin.
    Spring, 2014 (Day).
    Mon: 9:50-11:15  Wed: 9:50-11:50.
    Room 300A/B.
    0 enrolled. Limit: 15 continuing.

Key to Codes in Course Descriptions

P: Prerequisite
C: Prerequisite or Concurrent Requirement
R: Recommended Prior or Concurrent Course

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