Students in the Mediation Clinic have the opportunity to learn and observe mediation in a classroom as well as conduct in-person and virtual mediations. Students are assigned readings in mediation and related lawyering skills areas. Following an intensive three-day, in-person training session held before the start of each semester, including simulated mediation exercises, clinic students conduct actual mediations. Conducting mediations includes observing and co-mediating cases under attorney-mediator supervision. Students must complete journals in their mediations, have regular individual sessions, participate in simulations (in class and recorded outside of class), and meet weekly. Grades are based on student performance in simulations and in actual mediations, the quality of the journal entries, class participation, and a final exam. Students should expect to spend a minimum of 16 hours per week on clinic work.

This clinical course begins with a three-day in-person training in mediation and related lawyering skills. The clinic will meet once a week for an in-person seminar in the large clinic group and once a week in a smaller cohort.  Your smaller cohort is where students perform mediations, under attorney-mediator supervision, for the New York Small Claims Court. The mediations will be virtual or in person, at the New York County Small Claims Court. All dates for the intensive, seminar, and cohort-based meetings will be shared with an invitation to join the clinic.

Approved for Experiential Learning Requirement. Enrollment is limited. Registration is binding. Application is required, and can be found in the Student Resources on the NYLS Portal.

Recommended for the following Professional Pathways: Government/Public Sector; Labor and Employment; Corporate Transactions and Governance; Health Care Management and Compliance; Labor and Employment (Corporate Perspective); Media, Entertainment, Sports, Fashion; General Practice – Litigation/Dispute Resolution; General Practice – Transactional 

4 Credits