In the Mediation Clinic, students co-mediate certain civil cases in district courts. After completing intensive training in alternative dispute resolution, students facilitate the negotiations of adverse parties and help the parties settle their dispute. While the litigants often are unrepresented parties, students also co-mediate cases where the parties are represented by counsel.
The Mediation Clinic advances the law school’s mission by promoting access to justice, the rule of law in the community and peacemaking among neighbors. The skill and wisdom required in this work is universally transferable to all areas of law practice.
Supervision
The Mediation Clinic is an integral element of the School of Law’s Alternative Dispute Resolution Program, under the direction of Kelly McTear, Clinical Associate Professor of Law.
Collaboration
The Mediation Clinic also collaborates with the Alabama Center for Dispute Resolution that recognizes the students’ work toward eventual registry on the Alabama State Court Mediator Roster.