THIS WEEK IN MEDIATION – MEDIATE.COM’S 31st YEAR! –
July 15, 2026 – #1,147
Upcoming Interview with Antonio (Tony) Piazza on July 29:
“Lessons from 5,000 Mediations: Converting Dialectic Into Dialogue”
Hosted by Stephen Kotev
For almost two decades, I have been fascinated by the Aikido concept of embodying harmony. Not just understanding the concept of it, but having it be something that is felt and tangible for others. Whispered on the lips of a fellow Aikidoka was the mention of a mediator who was doing just this with complex commercial cases with millions at stake. His name was (and is) Tony Piazza and he was generously willing to welcome me and my group in to observe one of his mediation cases now almost 15 years ago. It was fantastic and, hence, I strongly encourage you to now sign up for this free session (sponsored by Mediate.com) on July 29 with Tony Piazza. You will be forever grateful that you attended.
From Observation to Innovation: A Year Inside the AAA–Suffolk Online Dispute Resolution Innovation Clinic
By Maya Markovich
In August 2025, eight Suffolk Law School students became the inaugural participants in the AAA–Suffolk Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) Innovation Clinic, the centerpiece of a multi-year collaboration among the American Arbitration Association® (AAA®), the AAA-ICDR® Institute, Suffolk University Law School, and justice technology partners Portable and ODR.com. The project was a joint initiative with the AAA-ICDR Institute, the thought leadership and innovation arm of the American Arbitration Association focused on the future of dispute resolution, access to justice, legal innovation, and emerging technologies shaping ADR systems worldwide. Through the Clinic, the Institute sought to explore how online dispute resolution and human-centered technology design might help address a persistent challenge how to make family court, and, in particular, uncontested and lightly contested divorce processes more accessible, understandable, and navigable for self-represented parties.
Advanced Workplace Mediation Training – October 2 & 9 via Zoom
With Dr. Clare Fowler
The Lodestar Dispute Resolution Center at ASU Law has partnered with Mediate.com to bring you a live advanced training in workplace mediation. Workplace conflict is unlike family, commercial, or community disputes. Organizational dynamics, power imbalances, HR processes, team relationships, and ongoing employment create unique challenges that require specialized mediation skills. Join internationally recognized workplace mediator and trainer Dr. Clare Fowler for an immersive two-day advanced training designed for experienced mediators, attorneys, HR professionals, ombuds, organizational leaders, and conflict resolution practitioners looking to elevate their workplace mediation practice. Full information is here.
New Recorded Video Course on Accelerated Workplace Dispute Resolution with Dr. Clare Fowler is now available!
Master skills to resolve workplace conflict before it escalates. Learn practical mediation, facilitation, coaching, and organizational strategies that create stronger teams and healthier workplace cultures. Recorded live in May 2026, this 7-hour intensive workplace training features Dr. Clare Fowler guiding you through today’s most effective workplace dispute resolution strategies. Earn 7 CLE/CEU credit hours while gaining practical tools that you can apply immediately. Mediate.com Members save 20%.
Considering AFCC and ICODR Standards for the Use of AI in Family Mediation
By Colin Rule and Jim Melamed
The landscape of dispute resolution has undergone a profound transformation, driven by technological advancements that were significantly accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. In response, two pivotal sets of guidelines emerged in 2025 to steer the ethical integration of technology and artificial intelligence (AI): the 2025 AFCC/ABA Model Standards for Family and Divorce Mediation and the ICODR/NCTDR Standards. Also note the more recent ICODR Guidance for Third Parties Using Artificial Intelligence. While the AFCC standards provide a broad, human-centric ethical framework specifically for family law, the ICODR standards and guidance offer a more granular, tech-specific deep dive into the unique risks and requirements of AI platforms.
Also Note: Dive into AI (2025) is a powerful seven-hour video training series at Mediate University focused on integrating AI into every stage of the mediation process — from intake and scheduling to invoicing, communication, and document management. The price is only $100, with a 20% discount for Mediate Members.
Further, Mediate’s new Dive into AI 2026 Consultation Group now meets bi-monthly (free for Mediate.com Members!), with our next meeting set for Wednesday, August 5, at 9:00 am Pacific, noon Eastern. Newly Available 2026 Deep Dive videos now include: (1) June 3 Presentations by Bob Bergman and John Lande on the Anomalyzer Platform and RPS AI Coach; and (2) the April 14 Presentations by Clare Fowler and Colin Rule reviewing AI Developments at Mediate.com. Register Here for the Dive into AI 2026 Consultation Group.
Integrating AI into Family Mediation – New 2 Hour Video Now Available!
with Jim Melamed
This video presentation is from Jim’s May 2026 2-hour workshop “A Brave New World: Integrating AI into Family Mediation” presented to the Massachusetts Council for Family Mediation (MCFM). See the sample video here. Introductory price of only $49, plus Mediate Members save 20%. Also see Jim’s new Agreement to Mediate that Incorporates Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use.
AAA Magazine Featured Article:
Is Your Dispute Suited for Mediation? And If So, When, and to What Extent? — A Practitioner’s Checklist
By Lisa Baker Morgan
The most recent White & Case Queen Mary University of London (QMUL 2025) survey reported that 87% of respondents chose international arbitration to resolve cross-border disputes; and 48% of those respondents chose to combine arbitration with other ADR processes (mechanisms such as mediation, expert determination, and dispute boards). With respect to mediation, it is being used with increasing frequency: more parties are including mediation requirements in their contracts, arbitral institutions are adding mediation options to their rules, and courts around the globe are either encouraging the use of mediation or mandating it through specific programs. While not exhaustive, the checklist in this article is intended for use when a dispute arises to assist counsel in determining if, when, how, and to what extent mediation should be used.
Mediate.com Membership
Would you like to get more mediation cases by being in the world’s most used mediator directory and also be able to access all Mediate.com resources? Mediate.com Membership Benefits now include access to MediatorDojo, the Dive into AI Consultation Group, the Great Reads Book Club, and 20% off at MediateUniversity.com! See: www.mediate.com/Membership!
THIS WEEK’S MEDIATION NEWS:
TRAINING CALENDAR: