30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
April 21st 2026 - April 25th 2026
This 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills training course has been certified for 31 hours of alternative dispute resolution training by the Minnesota (MN) State Court Administrator, ADR Program. Upon completion of this course, participants will be eligible for the MN General Rules of Practice for the District Court's Qualified Civil Facilitative (Mediation) Roster of Neutrals. CE and CLE credits are available.
This class runs VIRTUALLY over Zoom from 8:00 AM to 5:30 PM for four days: April 21-22 and April 24-25. Please note: there is no class on Thursday April 23. There will be stretch breaks, snack breaks, and a one-hour lunch break each day.
- 5.0/5.0
- 107 Enrolled
- English
$1,295.00
This course includes
- Duration 30.0 hr
- Language English
- Next Start Date February 10th 2026
Course Description
This 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills training course has been certified for 31 hours of alternative dispute resolution training by the MN State Court Administrator, ADR Program. Upon completion of this course, participants will be eligible for the MN General Rules of Practice for the District Court's Qualified Civil Facilitative (Mediation) Roster of Neutrals. CE and CLE credits are available.Mediation is a flexible and creative process that helps people find mutually acceptable resolutions to their issues and concerns. The mediator is an impartial party who uses the process of mediation to help participants communicate effectively, explore underlying interests and craft constructive outcomes.
The course is designed for people from all professional backgrounds: managers hone their conflict management skills; lawyers find new ways to help clients solve problems; judges are challenged to expand their approach to resolving lawsuits; human resource professionals gain an invaluable tool. Counselors and therapists, religious leaders, public employees, educators, health care professionals and bartenders have all incorporated mediation skills learned in this training into their jobs.
This experiential course teaches tools and strategies for effective conflict intervention. Participants learn a five-step mediation structure. The stages of the mediation process are demonstrated by use of a video dramatization created especially for this training. It also examines the causes of conflict, cultural issues in mediation and ethical concerns.
Trainees experience a supportive learning environment that includes hands-on exercises, group discussion, multimedia presentations and simulations with individualized feedback from experienced coaches. The simulations include a variety of disputes.
Our highly experienced trainers are joined by other experienced mediators to create an engaging atmosphere that encourages experimentation and participation. Trainees find this course invaluable in their professional lives, in formal mediation settings and for daily conflict management.
About Instructor
Susan Mainzer, JD, was named a Leading American Attorney in the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) areas of employment, commercial law, and family matters. She is an experienced ADR practitioner, a trainer, retreat facilitator, workplace coach and organization development consultant. Susan is accustomed to mediating cases in which emotions are raw and to helping high conflict participants from diverse backgrounds reach agreements. She serves as a mediator on the Appellate Court’s Family Mediation roster; and mediates employment discrimination claims, dog bite cases, and business disputes. Ms. Mainzer has taught family, workplace, and civil mediation for Mediation Center and the American Arbitration Association. She creates customized workshops in creative problem solving, negotiation strategies and appreciative inquiry to improve the workplace climate. Susan consults with companies on conflict prevention approaches. She coaches mediators, managers and staff in conflict resolution interventions, and individuals on career, transition, and life choices. Susan earned her law degree from the University of Wisconsin. She is a qualified neutral for family, contracts, personal injury, and employment cases under Rule 114 of Minnesota’s General Rules of Practice. She is on Minnesota’s master contract roster to facilitate public policy disputes. She worked for two years at the Metropolitan Council as an internal facilitator, trainer, executive coach, and organization development consultant. Susan served as an arbitrator and mediator on the American Arbitration Association’s panel for more than 15 years. She often mediates Minnesota and Wisconsin special education cases. Susan Mainzer also mediates family business, healthcare, seniors’ end of life decisions and lake property inheritance cases.
- Email:susmainzer@gmail.com
- Phone:
- Web:https://mediationcentermn.org/
Our Student Reviews
5.0
Average Total Rating
Minden Pevey
February 20th 2025 at 11:18amReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
I have been so impressed with Tobin Lay and his team at Mediation Center. They are more than instructors and trainers, they are experts who have a passion for the work of mediation and care deeply for their students. They work hard to ensure a positive learning experience for everyone. I am so grateful I found this course!
Tobin Lay
February 27th 2025 at 2:10amThank you for this review, Minden. We are so happy you hear that you've enjoyed our services and we hope to please you again!
Weston Lay
March 10th 2025 at 11:16pmReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
I recently completed this mediation course, and I can confidently say it exceeded all my expectations. The course provided a perfect balance of theory and hands-on practice, allowing me to develop essential conflict resolution skills in a structured and supportive environment. The instructors were knowledgeable, engaging, and brought real-world experience into the lessons, making the material both relevant and easy to apply. I especially appreciated the interactive exercises and role-playing scenarios, which helped me build confidence in handling difficult conversations effectively.
Scott Alger
May 3rd 2025 at 5:49pmReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
Mediation was presented through the 30-hour course, as a process of intentional human interaction for coherence and for good. It provided a balance of theory and experience and concluded with the challenge to engage actively in problem-solving.
Tobin Lay
May 6th 2025 at 9:59amThank you for this review Scott! It was a joy having you in class and we are excited to see how you put these skills to use in your work.
Adam W. Heaton
May 3rd 2025 at 5:59pmReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
I have participated in a number of alternative dispute resolution skills courses during the past nearly-thirty years; my recent experience with Mediation Learning was by far the best and most memorable. I am eager to continue working collaboratively with everyone I met through Mediation Center while I strive to always be listening, learning, and expanding my understanding and abilities to best assist others!
Tobin Lay
May 6th 2025 at 9:58amWe are so glad you enjoyed this course, Adam. Thank you so much for your contributions to the learnings!
Jasmine Segarra
May 6th 2025 at 5:38pmReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
The Mediation Center's 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training (online) was excellent. Their highly experienced trainers model preparedness, patience, kindness, and open-mindedness. Their use of multimedia and personal anecdotes promoted class engagement. I recommend this course to folks in any profession who are interested in learning more about mediation, as the framework and skills introduced are broadly applicable. I can't thank the trainers and my peers enough for such an enriching, energizing experience!
Tobin Lay
May 7th 2025 at 10:45amThank you so much for this review, Jasmine! It was great having you in class and we are so happy that you found it valuable. We hope to work with you again soon!
Hannah Peterson
July 2nd 2025 at 12:56pmReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
Tobin Lay
October 7th 2025 at 10:33amThank you for your review!
Joe Reid
September 15th 2025 at 9:21amReview on: 30-Hour General Civil Mediation Skills Training
I experienced a very supportive and education experience in this training as it relates to Civil Mediation. The trainers were knowledgeable, encouraging and willing to share their professional struggles and mistakes as part of our learning. The on-going support post this training by each of them was authentically felt. While the 4 day model was a commitment it, was productive, well planned and worth the time.
Tobin Lay
October 7th 2025 at 10:35amWe're so glad you found the training valuable, Joe. Thank you so much for the review and for bringing so much to the learning experience!