Monthly court-annexed mediation seminars in courtroom 2005 of the Richard J. Daley Center in Chicago in May and June will focus on training for participation.

The 12 noon brown-bag presentations for judges, lawyers and mediators are co-sponsored by the ISBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and Cook County Circuit Court Law Division.

There is no charge to attend, but interested professionals should call (312) 603-6078 or (312) 793-0134 for reservations.

The May and June seminars are specially designed to train lawyers who will participate in mediations as advocates, including new admittees. Speakers include retired judges James E. Sullivan and John W. Cooley.

Thursday, May 17 – Mediation Advocacy Skills Training (first session): General description of mediation in the ADR context, preliminary pre-mediation considerations, and question and answer period.

Thursday, June 14 – Mediation Advocacy Skills Training (second session): Preparing the case for mediation, preparing the client for mediation, effective advocacy in the mediation session, mediation advocacy, and question and answer period.