Choosing a Mediator

There are many talented mediators in Maryland eager to assist you in resolving the conflict at hand.  Mediators come from a variety of backgrounds, many from law, others from mental health professions or other professions.  There is no actual Maryland licensing (yet) of mediators, although there are training and experience qualifications to be on the panel of mediators for any Circuit court in Maryland. 

The Maryland Council for Dispute Resolution (MCDR) is one of the few credentialing entities in the entire country that certifies mediators based upon the mediator’s demonstrated performance.  MCDR is the oldest mediation practitioner group in Maryland and has been certifying mediators for over 15 years. Over that period of time, MCDR has refined its certification process and has been used by the circuits courts in Maryland to assess mediators. MCDR certified mediators have demonstrated outstanding skills.  Coming soon to this website is a directory of mediators, with information about those mediators who have successfully gone through the MCDR assessment.

Some suggested questions to ask when you call or interview a mediator:

1.  How long have you been mediating this type of case?  What other types of cases do you mediate?

2.  What training do you have?

3.  Is there any preparation needed for the mediation?

4.  What is your fee schedule, including sessions, phone calls, and drafting an agreement?

5. What are the advantages of mediation for my situation?  Any disadvantages?

6.  Do you mediate with both people in the room, or primarily by caucusing (each in separate room, mediator shuttling between parties)?

7.  What is the role of a lawyer if we are mediating? 

8.  How do I make my mediated agreement "official"?

9. What is your style of mediation?  (Facilitative, evaluative, narrative, transformative, eclectic are some choices)? Do you co-mediate or work solo?

10.  What is your availability during my preferred time?

Besides qualified private mediators, nearly every county in Maryland has a community mediation center, where you can obtain services if you cannot afford to pay for private mediation.