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Pepperdine | Caruso School of Law

Mediating the Litigated Case™

aerial image of the pepperdine university campus in Malibu

A sophisticated 40-hour mediation training program, Mediating the Litigated Case (MLC), is geared for experienced mediators, as well as litigators, in-house counsel, HR professionals and judiciary who want to expand their practice to mediation. Consistently recognized globally as the top mediation training, over 10,000 people from 44 states and 32 countries have participated in the MLC program. Approved for 37.5 Hours of CLE Credit.

Upcoming Training Dates

 

 

Mediating the Litigated Case

July 20-24, 2026

Irvine  | Registration

August 24-28, 2026

Malibu | Registration

November 2-6, 2026

Malibu | Registration

December 1-2 & 7-9, 2026

Online | Registration

January 25-29, 2027

Malibu | Registration 

February 17-19 & 22-23, 2027

Online | Registration

April 8-9 (OL) & 12-14, (IP-Malibu) 2027

Hybrid | Registration

June 7-11, 2027

Irvine | Registration

 

Mediating the Litigated Case 2.0

 February 10-12, 2027 (In-Person) Malibu, CA | Registration

 May 4-6, 2027 (In-Person) Irvine, CA | Registration 

 July 14-16, 2027 (In-Person) Malibu, CA | Registration

Prerequisite: Participants must have previously completed the Mediating the Litigated Case (MLC) training program or be an active member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals or International Academy of Mediators.

Learn More about Mediating the Litigated Case

This mediation training program offers a unique opportunity to learn about the mediation process in a format geared specifically toward civil litigation cases. Taught by experienced lawyers, who have made the transition from litigation to mediation practice, course participants will learn the essential skills required to serve as mediators.

The program will focus on the various stages of the process, identifying and working with different negotiation styles, and facilitating problem-solving regardless of whether the case involves a contractual, tort, personal injury, employment, partnership, or securities issues.

In addition to providing mediation skills training, the program will deal with issues specific to the adversarial setting including managing attorney advocates, the parameters of confidentiality, and concerns about discovery. It will also focus on issues of particular concern to attorney-mediators including the proscription against dual representation, providing legal advice, conflicts of interest, drafting mediation agreements, and other ethical dilemmas.

 

Testimonials

 

"I credit the decision to attend Mediating the Litigated Case with the life I live now".     
-Steve Rottman, International Commercial Mediator

 

MCLE CREDIT:  Please see the information on MCLE listed below.

Program Topics and Schedule

Day 1

  • Dispute Resolution Continuum
  • STAR Approach to Mediation
  • Mediator's Stylistic Grid
  • Mixed-Motive Exchange in Consensus Processes
  • The Predictability of Distributive Bargaining
  • Opening Offer Strategies
  • Facilitating Distributive Bargaining

Day 2

  • The Integrative Approach to Negotiation
  • Focusing on "Interests" Not Issues
  • How to Discover Underlying Interests
  • Creativity in Negotiation
  • Facilitating Integrative Bargaining
  • Mediator Timing in Facilitating Negotiation
  • Settlement Conference Mediation Model
  • Interest-Based Mediation Model

Day 3

  • The Mediator's Job of Providing Structure
  • What to Include in an Opening Statement
  • Reframing and Broadening the Issues
  • Communication Facilitation Techniques
  • Effective Use of Caucus
  • Validation

Day 4

  • Techniques to Facilitate Closing the Deal
  • How to Present Risks and Costs
  • Ethics and Bullying
  • Mediator Timing When Facilitating Closure
  • Concluding a Mediation That Doesn't Settle
  • Convening
  • Agreement to Mediate

Day 5

  • Fairness and Neutrality
  • Attorney Advocates in Mediation
  • Emotions in Mediation
  • Bias and Cross-Cultural Awareness
  • Multi-Party/Multi-Issue Mediation

 Refund Policy

  • Full refund for cancellations made more than 6 months before the program start date.
  • 50% refund for cancellations made between 6 months and 2 months prior to the start date.
  • No refunds for cancellations made within 2 months of the start date.

If you are unable to attend, you may transfer your registration to a future training within 6 months for a $250 administrative fee.

 MCLE

These activities have been approved for 37.5 hours of MCLE credit by the State Bar of California including two hours of ethics. Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law certifies that the activity conforms to the standards for approved education activities prescribed by the rules and regulations of the State Bar of California governing MCLE. Participants from outside of California should submit the California MCLE form to their state bar for approval after the mediation program is completed.  Straus programs have been accepted for MCLE credit across the nation.

PLEASE NOTE!!  MCLE CREDIT: For participants outside California, please confirm with your state bar what additional documentation you will need to receive credit.

 Guarantee

All programs of the Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution are offered with a satisfaction guarantee. If a participant completes the program and is dissatisfied with the course content or performance of the faculty, the tuition fee will be refunded.

 Tax Deduction

Education expenses (including enrollment fees and course materials costs) may be deductible if they improve or maintain professional skills. Treas. Reg. Sec. I 162-5.

 Location and Times

Location

Pepperdine University Caruso School of Law
24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, CA 90263


Schedule

The program will take place consecutively Monday through Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm.  (PST). 

For additional information please contact the Straus Events Team at straustrainingandevents@pepperdine.edu