Anyone know about ADR/Mediation in terms of job prospects/$ Forum

[lawfreak]

Hey,

I'm thinking about doing a mediation internship.

Pretty much want to know if anyone knows anything about the field (job prospects, money, is it possible to start my own firm in this one day etc). Also, even if I decide not to go into this field, would an internship in it be good for my resume and future jobs not in the field?

Thanks

[dixiecupdrinking]

My impression is that professional mediators tend first to be practicing attorneys in other areas. Much of it is done on a volunteer basis, though I believe this depends on the circumstances; parties might hire you on a private basis to mediate their disputes, but a lot of it is court-mandated. I don't know how many, if any, people make a go of it by starting firms that focus solely on mediation.

I think a background in ADR is very useful, though, and will be at least somewhat applicable to a number of areas of legal practice; arbitration will continue to be increasingly relevant in contract disputes, employment issues, etc., and there is significant overlap between the skills that make you a good mediator and those that make you a good negotiator, to the extent that might be relevant in transactional law practice.

[marmot8]

My impression is that professional mediators tend first to be practicing attorneys in other areas. Much of it is done on a volunteer basis, though I believe this depends on the circumstances; parties might hire you on a private basis to mediate their disputes, but a lot of it is court-mandated. I don't know how many, if any, people make a go of it by starting firms that focus solely on mediation.

I think a background in ADR is very useful, though, and will be at least somewhat applicable to a number of areas of legal practice; arbitration will continue to be increasingly relevant in contract disputes, employment issues, etc., and there is significant overlap between the skills that make you a good mediator and those that make you a good negotiator, to the extent that might be relevant in transactional law practice.

This is just untrue. There are plenty of mediators out there who solely do mediation/arbitration (sometimes on own, sometimes connected to a bigger firm). They will need the requisite experience (most are former judges), but they usually do quite well.

[Renzo]

Mediators/arbitrators are almost exclusively former judges. As for ADR as a practice area, it's really a subset of litigation. Almost all litigators will have a significant and growing percentage of their cases go to ADR at some point. The clinic will be good practice, but there isn't really a divide between litigators and lawyers who practice in ADR.

[dixiecupdrinking]

My impression is that professional mediators tend first to be practicing attorneys in other areas. Much of it is done on a volunteer basis, though I believe this depends on the circumstances; parties might hire you on a private basis to mediate their disputes, but a lot of it is court-mandated. I don't know how many, if any, people make a go of it by starting firms that focus solely on mediation.

I think a background in ADR is very useful, though, and will be at least somewhat applicable to a number of areas of legal practice; arbitration will continue to be increasingly relevant in contract disputes, employment issues, etc., and there is significant overlap between the skills that make you a good mediator and those that make you a good negotiator, to the extent that might be relevant in transactional law practice.

This is just untrue. There are plenty of mediators out there who solely do mediation/arbitration (sometimes on own, sometimes connected to a bigger firm). They will need the requisite experience (most are former judges), but they usually do quite well.

You make a good point, but if the career trajectory includes a step like, "Become a judge, then retire," I don't think it's highly relevant to a law student wondering whether they can feasibly do this professionally.