Mediator Development Cohort
The Mediator Development Cohort Program is a yearlong, advanced-learning experience designed to help mediators move from foundational competence to confident, reflective practice. Building on Mediation Center’s core civil and family mediation trainings, the program provides a structured yet flexible space for mediators to deepen skills, test judgment, and refine their professional identity through guided practice and peer engagement. Each cohort functions as a learning community. Participants engage in facilitated discussions of curated readings, live skill-building exercises, and realistic simulations that mirror the complexity of real-world mediation. Emphasis is placed on integrating theory with practice. Sessions are intentionally interactive and paced to allow for reflection, experimentation, and constructive feedback. The program also prioritizes professional connection and sustainability. By working in a consistent, hand-selected cohort, participants develop trusted relationships with peers who are navigating similar challenges in mediation practice. Guest speakers and experienced trainers add depth and perspective, while coaching and debriefing support continued growth beyond individual sessions. By the end of the program, participants leave with strengthened skills, expanded professional networks, and greater confidence in handling complex mediations. Cohort membership is by cohort invitation following a guest visit. Graduates of a Mediation Center 30-Hour or 40-Hour training may attend one meeting as a guest. After the visit, guests may request consideration, and the cohort may extend an invitation based on fit and available space. For more information and to request a visit, contact Staff@MediationCenterMN.org. To learn more about Mediation Center and its training programs, see: https://mediationcentermn.org/.
- 0/5.0
- 0 Enrolled
- English
$1,500.00 / Year
This course includes
- Duration 3.5 hr
- Language English
- Next Start Date Not Available
Course Description
Cohort B is the second of Mediation Center's Mediator Development Cohort Programs and is an invitation-only professional development opportunity for graduates of the Mediation Center’s 30-hour Civil Mediation and 40-hour Family Mediation courses. Structured to mirror the Center’s 30-Hour and 40-Hour training format, it provides a supportive, professional environment focused on skill growth through ongoing learning, practice, coaching, and peer-based problem-solving within a small, curated cohort.The cohort meets online (with flexibility as needed) every other month on the first Tuesday from 1:00–4:30 p.m. Central via Zoom. Sessions run 3.5 hours and combine skill-building, discussion of curated materials, guest speaker/trainer insights, networking, and opportunities to earn up to 18 CE credits (with CLE credit applications submitted). Interested graduates from a Mediation Center 30-Hour or 40-Hour course may request one free cohort visit by contacting Staff@MediationCenterMN.org.
About Instructor
Tobin Lay, JD, MBA, is the Executive Director and COO of Mediation Center, a facilitator, a qualified neutral (civil and family mediator) under Rule 114 of the MN General Rules of Practice, and occasionally works as an Adjunct Professor at Mitchell Hamline School of Law, teaching Negotiation, Theories of Conflict, and Organizational Conflict Management. Mr. Lay also volunteers with Community Mediation Minnesota as a member of its Board of Directors. Until recently, Mr. Lay has worked professionally as a public administrator, where he served as City Administrator and/or other roles for the Minnesota Cities of Landfall Village, Birchwood Village, and North St. Paul. Mr. Lay received a B.S. from University of Phoenix, with a major in Business Management, an M.B.A. from Hamline University, with a concentration in International Management, and a J.D. and Certificates in International Business Negotiations and Advocacy and Problem Solving from Hamline University School of Law.
Our Student Reviews
0
Average Total Rating