LASC: ATTORNEYS: APPLY TODAY TO JOIN THE SUPERIOR COURT OF LOS ANGELES COUNTY’S MEDIATION VOLUNTEER PANEL

Applications from Qualified Attorneys Will Be Accepted on a Rolling Basis; Attorneys Without Prior Mediation Training Can Apply for the Court’s Free November Mediation Training Program by September 23

To help litigants resolve their disputes quickly and efficiently, and in accordance with California Rules of Court, Rule 3.835 et seq., the Superior Court of Los Angeles County (Court) is currently accepting applications from qualified attorneys who are interested in serving as volunteers on the Court’s Mediation Volunteer Panel (MVP) focused primarily on unlimited civil cases.

“The launch of the Court’s Mediation Volunteer Panel represents this Court’s effort to leveraging the expertise of the legal community to assist the Court in the timely resolution of civil cases,” Presiding Judge Samantha P. Jessner said. “With the implementation of a robust alternative dispute resolution program, the Court is providing litigants with a no or low-cost tool to facilitate a mutually acceptable resolution early, saving the litigants the significant costs associated with litigating a case and going to trial. This is an exciting opportunity for all interested attorneys to dedicate themselves to helping the Court meet its mission of providing access to justice through the fair, timely and efficient resolution of all cases. I encourage all interested attorneys to apply today.”

Attorneys who join the program will provide virtual mediation for civil cases referred by judicial officers in Independent Calendar courts countywide. Judicial officers will begin referring litigants to the program in October. The Court’s Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Office will assign cases to the volunteer mediators, who should be prepared to dedicate preparation time and the first three hours of the mediation session pro bono. Thereafter, if the parties wish to continue the mediation, mediators may charge the hourly rate listed in their profile. Mediator profiles will be featured on the Court’s ADR webpage.

MEDIATION VOLUNTEER PANEL MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:

To be added to the Court’s MVP, attorney volunteers must meet the qualifications and requirements listed below and complete an application and interview.

List of Qualifications:

• Completion of a minimum of 25 hours of comprehensive classroom and practical mediation training in the areas that meet California’s Dispute Resolution Program Act grantee guidelines (California Code of Regulations, title 16, division 36, article 3, section 3622).
• Completion of a minimum of two mediations, each at least two hours in length, within the past three years. Mediations may be litigated cases or community-based cases.
• Proof of membership in good standing with the State Bar of California.

Volunteer attorneys who meet the above qualifications must also commit the following:

List of Requirements:

• Commitment to prepare for and conduct a minimum of two pro bono mediations, up to three hours in length and held virtually, in a 12-month period for the MVP.
• Commitment to complete at least seven hours of continuing education or training on mediation topics every two years. At least one hour of continuing education must address mediator ethics.

HOW TO APPLY FOR THE MEDIATION PROGRAM

Interested applicants should review the detailed information about the qualifications and requirements posted on the Court’s ADR webpage. Attorneys who meet the qualifications and are willing to commit to the requirements may submit the Application for Appointment to Mediation Volunteer Panel (Form CIV 307) with proof showing completion of the required training to the ADR Office at MediationPanel@lacourt.org. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis.

Applicants will be required to participate in a one-way video interview using an online platform and must attend a Court orientation for the program if selected. Selections for the Mediation Volunteer Panel will be made by the Court’s ADR Quality Assurance Subcommittee.

The Court remains committed to collaborating with the legal community to provide a range of high-quality ADR resources for civil cases, such as Resolve Law LA (RLLA) Virtual Mandatory Settlement Conference Programs for personal injury and employment cases, the low-cost Mediation Center of Los Angeles (MCLA) Referral Program, and the Civil Mediation Vendor Resource List.

Questions about the MVP should be directed to the Court’s ADR Office at MediationPanel@lacourt.org.

You can view the full notice here.