Mission of the Mediation Clinic
The mission of the Mediation Clinic is to train law students to provide a vital service to the community, helping members resolve pressing personal and legal conflicts. Of the many cases that are referred to the Mediation Clinic, a majority result in agreement between the parties.
Structure of the Mediation Clinic
At the beginning of the semester, the students participate in a Basic Mediation Skills Training which includes lectures, simulations and other interactive exercises. Then, the students become apprentice mediators (either observing or co-mediating) under the supervision of the Mediation Clinic faculty. As the year progresses, students mediate disputes on their own in the various placements. The practice portion of the Mediation Clinic is accompanied by a weekly class where the students focus on the theoretical aspects of mediation and Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR). Each student also gives a presentation on conflict resolution to high school, college, community or other audiences and writes a scholarly paper.
Types of Cases Mediated
Mediation Clinic students mediate a variety of cases in the Dane County Small Claims Court including landlord-tenant, contract, employment, auto-accident and property damage cases. In addition, the Mediation Clinic will be accepting cases from the STEM (Student Tenant Education and Mediation Program), UW Division of Housing, Division of Student Life, and other UW campus organizations.
For More Information
If you are interested in further information about the Mediation Clinic, please contact Donna Erez-Navot at (608) 262-4870 or via email at erez@wisc.edu.
