Employment ideas for new mediation and ADR practictioners

Currently, I am in between jobs. I am working hard to change this situation and to generate income as an ADR specialist. For those of you seeking meaningful (paying) positions in the mediation and ADR field, here is an idea that I am pleased to pass along to you. During last year's election campaign, I met a number of judges running for re-election and judicial candidates seeking office for the first time. In reading their biographies, I observed that a number of the judges practiced mediation at some point in their legal careers.

I approached one particular judge who proudly listed his mediation experience with the Michigan family courts amongst his credentials. The judge was pleased to learn of my education at Creighton and my interest in becoming a mediator. Mediation happens to be one of his favorite studies and practices. After his re election, I followed through with him to ask his advice on entering the profession. My timing was exquisite in terms of new developments within the field in my city and state. Here are the key ideas from our discussion, namely:

Since I majored in ADR healthcare, the judge suggested that I approach the general counsels for the various hospitals in metro Detroit to let them know of my interests and expertise. The hospitals are also an obvious target since many have mediation best practices in place with support staff.
He informed me that there is a major mediation conference in my own town of Plymouth, MI on March 17. I would not have known this if I had not spoken with him. The luck of the Irish indeed!
He offered to introduce me to the mediation liaison for the Michigan Supreme Court.
His honor guided me through the various mediation departments and major ADR players and organizations in Wayne, Washtenaw, and Oakland Counties.
The news is good since mediation and ADR are growing fields. There appear to be a plethora of issues for resolution and potential ADR cases in Michigan!

His additional suggestions included:

Develop a strategic plan to present yourself and to market your services.
Focus on your ADR major and area of specialization.
Meet the key players in the field, introduce yourself, define your value to others and let your interests be known.
Cultivate and develop mentors
Make sure that you are certified in mediation, and that there is reciprocity between Nebraska and your particular state.
Volunteer as much as possible to build your reputation and contacts.
Tell as many people as possible outside of the profession that you are in the ADR and mediation field.

I realize that my contact is an exceptional person and that I was very lucky to meet him. Believe me; I have gotten the cold shoulder from others a number of times. The point is to expand your contacts and seek advice. Eventually, the right person will enter your life to help you. I am about to launch myself into the field based on the above advice. I pass these nuggets along as food for thought as I myself test the waters in our growing field. I wish everyone the best and every success.

Cordially,

John C. Turley

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Permalink Reply by Susan M Diehl on March 2, 2011 at 3:36am

John, this was great advice. Do you currently volunteer at a community mediation center? I have worked with the Dispute Resolution Center in Ann Arbor since I have gone to Creighton. I took my 40 hour training in Michigan there and did my practicum there. They have regular continuing education on mediation and I volunteer there regularly--to keep up my skills and to learn from other mediators. I am also on the Washtenaw County Circuit Court Roster. Let's meet for coffee soon and maybe we can share some ideas. There is a brown bag lunch on mediating in different cultures today at 11:30 at the center, which is located at 110 N. 4th Avenue in Ann Arbor. Susan

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Permalink Reply by John C. Turley on March 2, 2011 at 1:10pm

Thanks Susan, I cannot meet today;however, I am interested in the DRC in A2. Also, the seminar in Plymouth is at the Inn of St. Johns on March 17. The organization is known as ANDRI part of the Institution for Continuing Legal Education. I will also join the Washtenaw Community Center.

I will find out more details about the March 17th meeting in Plymouth. This is the big annual event for Michigan. Thanks for the assists.

John

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Permalink Reply by Susan M Diehl on March 2, 2011 at 9:02pm

Sure John, I will be out of town on the 17th, but I have heard of the ANDRI offering. Enjoy and make some great contacts.

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Permalink Reply by Mat Beecher on March 16, 2011 at 10:49am

That was great advice and certainly something I'll consider 'after' I graduate from Werner Institutes NDR program.

Thank you for sharing your insights.

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Permalink Reply by John C. Turley on March 16, 2011 at 11:29am

Here is a follow through note with a few more ideas:

1) Check out Professor Daniel Rainey's home page: I joined some of his organizations listed on his page. For example, I discovered a Michigan local chapter of ACR which I just joined. There is a wealth of information on his blog page, and this must be the case with other faculty members. I am making my way through the entire list of ADR notables in the field. Check out Pepperdine University as well.

2) I will report back on a networking meeting for ADR that I will attend tomorrow in Plymouth, MI. This is the annual Michigan ADR specialist meeting.

3) I am reviewing all of my CU classes where there is a plethora of leads for networking. For example, the professors list websites and specialists in the field that are worth contacting. I am working my way through Noam's class in negotiation which has many nuggets for follow through contact. Actually, everything that you need for networking is alrteady listed by the CU faculty. It takes time and patience, but everything you need is on the weekly lesson pages. The resources are invaluable and the contacts are rich.

4) Bryan Hanson is a great resource for ideas. Approach the CU faculty and request their help based on their area of specialization and your interests. For example, I am interested in ODR, so Professor Rainey is the logical choice to engage based on our mutual interests.

5) Volunteer as much as possible which I am doing to get my name out there and to build a following.

I will continue to post advice on this subject as I learn more along the way. Hard work with relationship building and networking = results. Look for opportunities to add value and contribute more than expected.

JCT