2021 TMCA Symposium

 

REGISTRATION NOW OPEN!

 

Saturday, October 23, 2021, 8:25 am to 5:00 pm

Live via Zoom*

 

It’s All in the Timing!?!

While the timing isn’t right for an in-person Symposium this year, we will be delighted to see everyone via Zoom! And, the timing is definitely right for hot, skills-enhancing topics! The day will feature a panel discussion of the importance of civility for mediators, the “supreme” wisdom of Justice Debra Lehrmann, and sessions that will help us navigate this “new normal,” explore the ethical implications of the various mediator styles and platforms, and build or enhance your mediation practice. The final sessions of the day are in response to one of your foremost requests—workshops on the drafting of both family law and civil law MSAs.

 

Symposium Fees:

$100 (current Credential holders)

$125 (non-Credential holders)

 

REGISTER NOW for TMCA's 17th Annual Symposium!

Current Credential holders, please click here to login and register.

Non-Credential holders, please click here to complete our online registration form.

Please register by Friday, 10/15/21.

 

To view the Symposium brochure, please click here.

 

SYMPOSIUM AGENDA

6.5 hours (3 hours ethics), CLE Course number 174132036

 

8:25 am – 8:30 am       Welcome

8:30 am – 9:30 am       THE LATEST FROM "THE SUPREMES"

                        Justice Debra H. Lehrmann and Hon. John Coselli

Learn about the latest Texas cases affecting your mediation practice and the status of the impact of COVID-19 on the administration of justice from Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann and her devoted side-kick, Judge John Coselli.

9:45 am – 11:00 am    MORE THAN GATEKEEPERS: MEDIATORS AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVILITY

      Panelists: Laurie McKendall, Hon. Josefina Rendón, and Mike Schless

      Moderator: Angela Downes

Mediators by definition are third-party neutrals. As the practice continues to evolve, how do we navigate and effectively serve parties who may be faced with a host of issues—declining civility, implicit bias, microagressions, and rising anti-immigrant sentiments—to create a positive cross-cultural experience. This session will provide tools, insight, and best practices on how to impart and encourage civility in mediation.

11:15 am – 12:15 pm     BACK TO THE FUTURE PART IV: RETURNING TO A "NEW NORMAL"

                         Lis Bulmash and Sharmeen Ladhani

Join these dynamic presenters as they discuss how mediators are navigating today’s world, including the effects of COVID-19, the return to in-person mediations, and embracing (or not) hybrid mediations. The discussion will offer tips on how to manage the dialogue when confronted with hotbed topics and will conclude with a roundtable of fellow mediators exchanging ideas on how they plan to return to a “new normal” during this time of division and strife.

12:15 pm – 1:00 pm       45-Minute Lunch Break                   

1:00 pm – 1:15 pm         Presentation of TMCA's Outstanding Credentialed Mediator Award and James Gibson Scholarship    

1:15 pm – 2:15 pm         WITH ETHICS AFORETHOUGHT 

                         Mike Schless and Alvin Zimmerman

Crimes of passion are committed without prior thought. By contrast, “with malice aforethought” refers to the pre-meditation element required to prove certain more serious crimes. Similarly, we as mediators are often guilty of acting first, without giving prior thought to the ethical implications or consequences of our actions. Our goal should be to commit “pre-mediation premeditation.” Alvin and Mike will focus on these implications when using facilitative, evaluative, or transformative styles of mediation; “e mediations" (like Zoom); hybrid mediation platforms (in person/Zoom); and hybrid dispute resolution formats (Med-Arb/Arb-Med).

2:30 pm – 3:30 pm        CULTIVATING AND MARKETING YOUR MEDIATION PRACTICE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET 

      Sharon Corsentino

Learn about building a practice from the ground up within a limited budget and ways to ethically use social media and other avenues to market your practice, along with best practices for cultivating a strong referral base.

3:45 pm – 5:00 pm        BREAKOUT SESSIONS:

                               1. DRAFTING FAMILY LAW MSAs WORKSHOP

                                   Fran Brochstein, Melanie E. Grimes, Shelly Hudson

Drafting a clear and enforceable MSA is key to a successful mediation.  This “hands-on” workshop will help even the best drafters of family law MSAs hone their skills.

                               2. DRAFTING CIVIL LAW MSAs WORKSHOP

                                   Melissa Back McAlpine, John Palmer, Walter Wright

Drafting accurate and comprehensive MSAs in civil mediations is an essential mediator skill. You will leave this interactive workshop with the tools to master drafting MSAs either in person or online.

 

* We plan to record all Zoom sessions for online access for all paid registrants through 4/30/22.