Dispute Resolution Training for Practitioners & Judges

Superior education and cutting-edge training.

The Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution (CNDR) offers a variety of mediation and dispute resolution programs to the public, ADR professionals, judges, attorneys, and court administrators. We collaborate on projects with local trainers, non-profits, commercial ADR providers, and government agencies. CNDR also offers customized training to suit your needs – we have you covered from basic certification to advanced ADR topics. MCLE Provider #9545.

Find the UC Law SF Master Calendar of events here.

View all Upcoming CNDR Events

Master the Fundamentals of Mediation Certificate

Hosted at UC Law SF annually and open to the general public, this 40-hour comprehensive mediation certification training provides a unique blend of mediation theory, hands-on mediation skills training, and an exploration of the sensibilities and personal qualities required to be an effective mediator. This highly interactive and dynamic program is useful for a range of professionals who deal with people in conflict, and any attorney who represents clients in mediation, to understand the process and to be more effective in representing clients in mediation. No prior training or experience required.

Dates: July 17-21, 2023

More information

International Cross-Border Family Mediation Training

Taught by Melissa Kucinski, this program is open to family mediators who want to advance their mediation skills to work more productively with families where cross-border parenting issues arise. This training will help family mediators spot potential issues that require additional discussion and consideration between the parents, and help the mediator have a more sophisticated understanding of how to approach these complex multi-jurisdictional situations. The training will cover the legal and practical aspects of international custody, child relocation, and child abduction that may arise when a family’s background includes more than one jurisdiction.

Dates: June 22, 23, 26, & 27, 2023

More Information

International Court ADR Institute

CNDR’s own International Court ADR Institute: Envisioning, Designing and Implementing Court ADR: A Practical and Theoretical Program welcomes participants from around the world. Offered since 2011, this certificate four-day intensive training program, open to non-U.S. judges, attorneys and court administrators, will prepare participants to design and implement court ADR programs in their respective countries.

Due to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) pandemic and uncertainty of the situation and the need for social distancing, CNDR made the decision to postpone the International Court ADR Institute to an indefinite date.

We appreciate your support, and we are here to help in any way we can. We wish you the best as we weather this storm together.

International Court ADR Institute FAQ

Participants will learn how to lay the groundwork for a successful court-based ADR program by working with local stakeholders; how to assess community needs, choose ADR processes suited to those needs and develop the chosen program design; how to screen and select cases appropriate for ADR; and how to implement, evaluate and modify a program once it is underway.

Participants will also learn how to select and train neutrals to work in their programs, including the personal qualities and skill sets required for the various processes, and how to deal with ethical problems and confidentiality issues.

In addition to group sessions, one-on-one consultation with the lead trainers will allow each participant to explore issues specific to his or her own country’s legal system and needs; and a 3- to 6-month follow-up by email will allow the providers both to measure the effectiveness of the training and to offer additional assistance after the participants return to their home countries.

The program is designed and taught primarily by Claudia Bernard ’86 (right), Chief Circuit Mediator for the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit; Howard Herman ’83 (middle), Director of ADR Programs for the United States District Court for the Northern District of California; and Sheila Purcell ’86 (left), Director of the Center for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution at UC Law SF, and former ADR Director for the Superior Court for the County of San Mateo, California. The three instructors are among the most experienced court ADR program administrators in the United States, as well as being gifted and experienced teachers in the ADR field, both in the United States and around the world.

Armenia Macao

Austria Malaysia

Bangladesh Mexico

Bhutan Mozambique

Brazil Nigeria

Bulgaria Pakistan

Cameroon Philippines

Canada Poland

Chile Russia

China Rwanda

Cyprus Serbia

Egypt Singapore

Estonia South Africa

Georgia Spain

Greece Taiwan

India Turkey

Israel Uganda

Italy Uzbekistan

Japan Vietnam

Kyrgyzstan Republic Zambia

Lebanon

Advanced Practitioner Mediation Certificate Series

An in-depth, 7-part series designed to engage participants on specific topics that are essential in any mediator’s toolkit. Taught by an experienced team, the series will be held three times annually and sessions range from 2 – 4 hours each. Beginning September 2020, and continuing through 2022. Individual session information to the right, or learn more about the series and instructors at the link below.

Learn More and Register

Mediators are the custodians of the communication flow. They need to pay close attention to communication, both their own communication skills and the communication dynamics of the participants. Most mediators consider empathic listening to be their core skill. In addition, the advanced listening skill of reframing is vital. Mediators also need to ask a lot of questions, not to satisfy their curiosity but to support the conflict-resolution process. And when they need to assert themselves or be persuasive, mediators are tactful communicators. This course focuses on the key communication skills that support the mediation process, reviewing skills is reviewed from the perspective of the mediator. With John Ford.

Date: September 16, 2020 from 10:00am – 3:00pm

Human emotions are vital in mediation: They let us know what matters, they help us connect with others, and they propel us to action. At the same time, people in conflict often experience intense negative emotions that can derail a mediation. This session will provide a basis for understanding the neurobiology of emotion, as well as provide tools for enhancing the positive emotions – and managing the negative emotions – of participants, attorneys, and mediators themselves. A 4-hour virtual session. With Claudia Bernard and Howard Herman.

Date: February 10, 2021 from 10:00am – 3:00pm

This session delves into specific step-by-step process details of the mediation session itself, to look at how flexibility in designing the session can help mediators create a process that best suits the needs of the case and the parties. We also will explore tools for preventing and overcoming impasse. An interactive, 4-hour virtual session. A 4-hour virtual session. With Claudia Bernard and Howard Herman.

Date: September 29, 2021 from 10:00am – 3:00pm

Building on the previous advanced training sessions, this double session focuses on providing participants with advanced and complex negotiation skills and tools to take their mediations to the next level, and create long-lasting, satisfactory resolutions for participants. 8 hours total. Topics preview:

Early, mid, and final stage negotiation strategies and challenges
Types of complex negotiations
Different mediation models for challenging cases
Negotiation styles and strategizing
Shuttle diplomacy and confidentiality
Challenging participants and attorneys
Advanced Tools, Techniques and Tips for Successfully Overcoming Impasse

Dates: June 27, 2022, and September 14, 2022

Time: 10:00am – 3:00pm (1-hour lunch break included)

Upcoming CNDR Events

There are no upcoming events at this time, please check back soon.

Customized Training

CNDR can work with you to design a specialized training that meets the needs of your organization or team, or any of our other training offerings can be provided privately and customized to your group.

Some past sample customized training topics: Effective Communication, Conflict Styles Assessment, Power Imbalances, Bias, Negotiation Techniques, Mediation Basics, Dispute Resolution Laws & Statutes, Trauma-Informed Mediation, and much more!

Contact CNDR About Your Training Needs

Select Past CNDR Trainings

Mastering the Fundamentals, Basic Mediation Certification
Mediation for HR Professionals
International Court ADR Institute: Envisioning, Designing, and Implementing Court ADR: A Practical and Theoretical Program
International Cross Border Family Mediation
Spanish Mediation
Advanced Mediation Training
Effective Negotiation
Mastering the Difficult Negotiation
Practice of Conflict Coaching
Stealth Facilitation
Leadership Academy

Cancellation Policy

For all CNDR events, cancellations on or before 30 days prior to the event will receive a full refund, minus a $50 administrative fee. Cancellations after 30 days prior to the event will receive a 50% refund. Cancellations on or after 5 days prior to the event will not receive a refund.

ADA Accommodations Statement

The University of California College of the Law, San Francisco is committed to making its facilities and events accessible in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you need reasonable accommodations, please contact CNDR at 415-581-8941 or CNDR@uchastings.edu, or the Disability Access Hotline at 415-581-4848 or DAH@uchastings.edu at least two weeks before the event.