Master Mediator's Forum / March 4 and 5, 2027 / New Orleans, LA

Seating in this course is strictly limited to 30 people. This is the ONLY time this forum will be offered in 2027. This event has sold out every time it has been offered in the past. You must meet the registration criteria listed below (OR purchase the Unlimited Seminar Pass or the Annual Seminar Pass) in order to register for this program. If you have a question about the registration requirements, please email troysmith [at] mediationCLE.com. When the course sells out, we will begin a wait-list in the event of cancellations.

ABOUT THE PROGRAM   The 2027 MASTER MEDIATOR'S FORUM in NEW ORLEANS will bring together a select group of highly experienced mediators, judges, and attorneys in a one-of-a-kind learning environment where we will explore advanced mediation topics and techniques in an interactive, fast-paced and fun (yes, fun!) "structured discussion" format. Participants will have opportunities throughout the course to learn from other highly qualified and experienced mediators and litigators -- and share their own ideas with their colleagues. Attendees will be eligible for 10 hours of CLE credit, including 1 ethics hour. See course highlights below for more information on what we will cover.

REGISTRATION CRITERIA   While anyone (regardless of experience) is welcome to register for other programs sponsored by Mediation CLE, Inc., the 2027 Master Mediator's Forum in New Orleans is ONLY open to individuals who meet AT LEAST ONE of the following registration criteria:

1. Registrant has purchased the Unlimited Seminar Pass or the Annual Seminar Pass from Mediation CLE, Inc. OR

2. Registrant has served as a paid mediator in at least 25 cases;

   OR

3. Registrant has served as a volunteer/unpaid mediator in at least 40 cases;

   OR

4. Registrant has participated as an advocate/representative in at least 50 cases; OR

5. Registrant is a current or former judge who has or will complete introductory mediation training and has started a mediation practice (or will be starting a mediation practice within 6 months);

   OR

6. Registrant is serving (or has served in the past 2 years) in a leadership capacity on a state or local bar mediation or ADR committee;

   OR

7. Registrant has been personally invited by the course facilitator (Troy Smith) to attend the program.

NOTE: Registrants must meet AT LEAST ONE of the above criteria, NOT all of the criteria.

LOCATION

NEW ORLEANS FRENCH QUARTER -- To be announced We have selected our usual New Orleans French Quarter Marriott-brand hotel location for this seminar. The Marriott property that hosts all of our New Orleans events has guaranteed rooms for our group for about $200 per night -- a great price for this time of year in New Orleans. Exact hotel name will be announced (and location and hotel booking will open) in mid-October 2026. Registrants will be notified by email when hotel booking becomes available. (We will have enough sleeping rooms available for our group at the $200 rate when the hotel is announced).

SCHEDULE  

Day 1 (Thursday): 8:30 - 4:30 PM Thursday Evening Social Hour: 5:00 PM - 6:00 PM Day 2 (Friday): 8:30-1:00 PM  THURSDAY EVENING "HAPPY BIRTHDAY HAPPY HOUR" -- An optional social hour get-together for course participants will be held on Thursday evening on-site, immediately following the seminar. Mingle with your co-attendees AND celebrate Troy's 59th birthday in his amazing hometown, New Orleans! Details will be sent to attendees before the seminar.

COURSE HIGHLIGHTS "I'll Never Hire That Mediator Again!": Career-Killing Mistakes Made by Mediators Who Should Know Better!  Course facilitator Troy Smith has worked with over 5000 attorneys, judges, mediators, insurance professionals and other mediation consumers over the last 30+ years who routinely tell him "mediation horror stories" that usually end with the statement -- "And I'll never hire that mediator again!" In this segment, Troy will share real-life examples of career-killing mistakes, missteps, and blunders by mediators that have led to thousands of dollars in lost revenue, unnecessary headaches and hard-to-overcome damage to the professional reputation of otherwise competent and accomplished mediators. Don't worry: Names and a few identifying facts will be changed to protect the not-so-innocent (and to make sure the mediators in question are not recognizable to the group) -- and your practice might be changed, too, when you learn to avoid these career-killing mistakes!

Anatomy of a Mediation: Best Practices Before, During and After Mediation  Successful mediators know that there are "best practices" that should be followed in nearly every mediation -- but every mediator is different -- and mediators have conflicting opinions on what constitutes "best practices." In this segment, we'll learn best practices from the best mediators in practice today. You'll learn what your colleagues are doing -- that you might not be doing -- to ensure success at mediation.    

ADVANCED Techniques for Overcoming Impasse  Excellent training, years of experience and a great professional reputation won't do a mediator any good if he or she can't "close the deal" in mediation. Mediation consumers hire mediators who can help parties settle their case. This segment will give you no less than 7 advanced techniques for overcoming impasse in mediation. We'll apply impasse-breaking techniques to real-life cases and find new ways to help parties reach resolution. AI and Other Trends in Mediation: The use of artificial intelligence and other recent trends in mediation will be explored. Do mediators have to use these new tools? What are the benefits and potential risks? How can mediators stay ahead of the game? These and other questions will be answered in this informative and TIMELY discussion.   

Update on Case Law, Ethic Opinions, Research and Other Recent Developments  Recent cases and new research are changing the practice of mediation. We'll look at new developments and discuss how these cases will impact your mediation practice.

Much, much more!

NOTE: Seating in this course is strictly limited. THIS COURSE HAS SOLD OUT EVERY TIME WE HAVE OFFERED IT. Register early to confirm a seat in the course. If your schedule changes and you cannot attend, you can receive a refund/course credit. When the course sells out, we will begin a wait-list in the event of cancellations. If you prefer to register by phone, call 214-901-5888.

CLE and OTHER PROFESSIONAL CREDIT

This course is approved for 10 hours of CLE credit (including 1 ethics hour) in Alabama. We will report your attendance immediately after the seminar has concluded. Application for CLE credit is being made in Louisiana and Mississippi and other nearby jurisdictions. (Our courses have been approved since 1995 in these jurisdictions and every jurisdiction where we have applied).

Do you need CLE credit in another state? Our mediation seminars have been CLE-approved since 1995 in every state in which the courses have been offered. Course participants have also received CLE credit in their home states after attending one of our training programs out-of-state. Our courses have never been denied CLE approval in any jurisdiction in which we've applied. If you have questions about CLE status in your state, contact us at registration@mediationCLE.com.

Are you seeking continuing education credit for another profession? Let us know how we can help you get credit in your profession for attending one of our mediation training courses. We will work with you to apply to the appropriate organization to have our course approved by your professional credentialing agency for your benefit. Contact us at registration@mediationCLE.com.

YOUR SATISFACTION IS ABSOLUTELY 100% GUARANTEED

Our seminars have a long history of success! We've been training mediators nationwide for over 33 years! We are so confident that you will gain the skills you need to become an exceptionally effective mediator at our seminars that we make this promise: If, after completing a training program, you are not satisfied with the seminar content or presentation by the instructor, simply return your training materials to the seminar leader on the final day of training and your enrollment fee will be refunded! No problem, period! We know of no other mediation training organization that offers this type of money-back guarantee on mediation training.

FACULTY

Troy Smith began mediating in 1992 and has been a mediation trainer for over 33 years. Over 5000 mediators, attorneys, and judges have completed Troy's training programs nationwide. Come find out why Troy Smith's training programs have been so well received for over three decades!

SEMINAR REGISTRATION TRANSFER and CANCELLATION POLICY

Full Refund. Your seminar fee is fully refundable if you cancel your registration 14 or more days prior to the first day of the seminar, less a $50 administrative fee. All cancellations must be received in writing or via email.

Reschedule Anytime. If you must reschedule your attendance at a seminar -- even at the last minute -- you may transfer your registration without additional cost to another equally priced seminar within 24 months of the date of your original program (or use your seminar credit toward another program). All reschedule requests must be in writing and received prior to the start of the seminar. (No-shows will not be eligible to reschedule).

Substitutions. If you are unable to attend a seminar for which you have registered, you may send a substitute in your place. If you need to send a substitute, we ask that you notify us at least 1 day in advance of your seminar, if possible.

Event Cancellation. In the highly unlikely event that Mediation CLE, Inc. must cancel or reschedule a program for which you are registered for any reason, we will refund your registration fees or transfer your registration to another program, whichever you choose. 

PAYMENT POLICY

For online registrations, payment by credit or debit card is due at the time of registration. If you prefer to register with a credit or debit card by phone, call 214-901-5888.

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

If you have questions not answered here, email registration@mediationCLE.com and we will be happy to assist you. Or, call us at (214) 901-5888.