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CLE Events

2025 MENTORING ACADEMY

FOR ATTORNEY-MEDIATORS

February 28–March 1, 2025
Stay tuned for details
about our 2025 Academy.

Our biennial Mentoring Academy
offers advanced mediation techniques
to move your practice to the next level.
Certified mediators share their expertise
and practical insights.

2023 ACADEMY REVIEWS

I had very high expectations for this event but the actual event far surpassed my expectations. It would take me years of mediations to gain the knowledge and ideas that I picked up last weekend. ~ Harold Oehler, Esq., Certified Federal and Florida Circuit Civil Mediator; Chair of the Mediation Section of the Hillsborough County Bar Association (2020-2022)

This was an excellent seminar – truly outstanding!  I learned so much and had a great time as well. ~ Anne Kevlin, Esq., Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator and Arbitrator

The best hands-on education event I have ever attended! Excellent practical tips and strategies and a wonderful opportunity to get to know others who share the same passion for alternative dispute resolutions.  ~ Hadas Kohn Stagman, Esq., South Florida Divorce Mediations, Florida Supreme Court Certified Family, Dependency and Circuit Court Mediator

Photos from the 2023 Mentoring Academy for Attorney-Mediators

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LEARN FROM THE PROS

Ready to advance your mediation practice?

Join us at the 2025 Mentoring Academy and expand your competency and experience.

  • Practice techniques and receive live, immediate feedback that will make you a better mediator.
  • Gain appropriate, ethical mediation techniques to address a complex litigation.
  • Advance your experience in handling hurdles that can appear in complex cases.
  • Improve how you handle openings in circumstances ranging from hostile to congenial—what to do and when.
  • Get pro tips on how to test party-imposed limitations without overstepping ethical boundaries.
  • Learn technology tips that can enhance your practice and improve your clients’ experiences.
  • Increase your statewide network of mentors and co-mediators.

Hosted by The Alternative
Dispute Resolution Section
of The Florida Bar

2025 DATES TBA
The 2023 event
was held at
CARLTON FIELDS
4221 W. Boy Scout Blvd.
Tampa, FL 33607

2023 CLE Information
Course Number 5699
Credits:
General 11.5 CLE/Live CME
Ethics 1 CLE/CME
Technology 1 CLE
Professionalism 7.5 CLE/CME

Faculty members for the Mentoring Academy are among the most experienced mediators in Florida. Some work in large firms and others practice solo. Each is certified as a County, Circuit Civil or Family mediator.

2023 MENTORING ACADEMY SCHEDULE

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 24

1 PM—On-site registration opens

2 – 2:10 PM—Welcome and introductions: ADR Section Chair Kathy McLeroy with Academy Co-Chairs Chris Magee and John Salmon

2:10 – 2:55 PM—Mindfulness in Mediation: Patrick Russell

3 – 4:40 PM—Panel Discussion on Tailoring the Opening Statement: Panel members Michelle Jernigan, Leslie Langbein, Harold Oehler

4:50 – 6 PM—Networking reception followed by dinner on your own

SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 25

8 AM—Registration; continental breakfast

8:30 AM—Welcome and Introductions

8:40 AM – 12:20 PM—Mediation Exercise

12:20 – 1:10 PM—Lunch (provided) All About the Clicks—Utilizing Technology in a Mediation Practice for Agreements, Marketing, Practice Administration and More: David Salmon and Christy Foley

1:10 – 1:20 PM—Break

1:20 – 3:40 PM—Participant Roundtables

3:40 – 4:30 PM—Wit and Wisdom—ADR Section Former Chairs Respond: Bob Hoyle, Kathy McLeroy, Patrick Russell, Kim Torres

4:30 PM—Closing remarks, adjourn, participant evaluations of program

Course Number 5699
Credits:
General 11.5 CLE/Live CME
Ethics 1 CLE/CME
Technology 1 CLE
Professionalism 7.5 CLE/CME

2023 MENTORING ACADEMY FACULTY

John Salmon

John Salmon (Program Co-Chair)

Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution, Miami

Christina Magee

Christina Magee (Program Co-Chair)

Brevard Mediation Services, LLC, Satellite Beach

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Shari Elessar

Back on Track Mediation, South Florida

Christy Foley

Christy Foley

E-Mediation Services and The Law Office of Christy L. Foley, Sanford

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Robert Hoyle

D. Robert Hoyle, P.A., Bradenton

A. Michelle Jernigan

A. Michelle Jernigan

Upchurch Watson White & Max, Maitland

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Kelly Overstreet Johnson

Overstreet Johnson Mediation & Arbitration, Tallahassee

Leslie Langbein

Leslie Langbein

Langbein & Langbein, P.A., Miami

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Ana Cristina Maldonado "Cristina"

Upchurch Watson White & Max, West Palm Beach

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Kathy McLeroy

Carlton Fields, Tampa

Harold Oehler

Harold Oehler

Oehler Mediation, Tampa

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Rosa Rodriguez

Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution, Miami

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Patrick Russell

Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution and Meaningful Mediation, Miami

David H. Salmon

David Salmon

Salmon & Dulbert Dispute Resolution, Miami

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Christopher Shulman

Shulman ADR Law, P.A., Tampa

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Kim Torres

Torres Mediation Services, Melbourne

Special thanks to our role players for the 2023 Mentoring Academy:  Leslie Carlet, Greg Holder, Charlotte Fernée Kelly, Natalie Paskiewicz, Patricia Sigman, and Ralph Stoddard.

Many thanks to the Mentoring Academy Committee for their planning and hard work. The Florida Bar ADR Section’s mission is to assist attorney-mediators in all ADR-related matters.

2023 MENTORING ACADEMY COMMITTEE

Christina Magee

Christina Magee, Co-Chair

Brevard Mediation, Satellite Beach

John Salmon

John Salmon, Co-Chair

Salmon & Dulberg Dispute Resolution, Hollywood

Ana Cristina Maldonado

Ana Cristina Maldonado

Upchurch Watson White & Max, West Palm Beach

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Shari Elessar

Back On Track Mediation, Royal Palm Beach