Co-Mediation: Applicability and Practical Considerations

Our speaker will be Ben Cunningham, founding partner of the Lakeside Mediation Center in Austin. Ben will address the question of when co-mediation is appropriate; the roles of co-mediators, including lawyer and non-lawyer co-mediation scenarios.  We will also discuss the types of cases/conflicts that lend themselves to co-mediation; thoughts on building a unique co-mediation model for practice in potential new arenas. The discussion will allow for some Q & A as time permits.

A nationally recognized attorney-mediator, Ben Cunningham has mediated over 3,000 cases. Ben holds the highest credentialing designation awarded by Texas Mediator Credentialing Association, is rated AV-Preeminent by Martindale Hubble, and is a Fellow in the Texas Bar Foundation. Known as an expert in the field of conflict resolution, Ben has trained mediators from all over the world, and is co-author of the critically acclaimed ABA book on mediation, Stories Mediators Tell.  Ben writes and lectures regularly on managing emotions in high conflict situations. Before his life as lawyer and mediator, Ben worked in law enforcement as a street cop and hostage negotiator. Ben is a Past-President and board member of the Travis County DRC, a member of the Graduate Advisory Board for Legal/ADR Studies at Texas State University, former Texas Association of Mediators Director, a member of the Texas Association of Attorney Mediators, and of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

The meeting will begin at 11:30 am for networking and the one-hour presentation will begin at 12:00. One (1.0) hour of CE credit is available to attendees.

This event is free of charge to all interested people, with a light lunch provided. For non-AAM members, a $5 donation for lunch is requested.