Background on the MD On-line Mediator Directory

Frequently Asked Questions About this Directory

Who sponsors this Directory?
Who is listed in this Directory?
How do people qualify to be listed in this Directory?
Finding someone who suits you: Directory search tips
What if I have a disability and need special accommodation?

Do the sponsors recommend the practitioners listed here?
How often is this Directory updated?
What do I do if I have a suggestion or complaint?
I am a professional who helps others to resolve disputes. How can I be added to this Directory?

Terms used in this Directory
What is the difference between an arbitrator and a mediator?
What is a settlement conference facilitator?
What is a large group dispute resolution facilitator?
What does certification mean?
What is "family" mediation?

Who sponsors this Directory?

This Directory is a collaborative effort by the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland School of Law (C-DRUM), the Maryland Mediation and Conflicts Resolution Office (MACRO) and the Maryland Legal Assistance Network. It was developed through a joint process among these three projects. We offer it as a public service to those looking for help resolving a dispute in Maryland.

The Directory is maintained by the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland (C-DRUM).
The mediation section of this website is sponsored by MACRO and C-DRUM.
The Peoples Law Library website is developed and maintained by the Maryland Legal Assistance Network

Who is listed in this Directory?

Anyone who helps people to resolve disputes in Maryland and who meets certain minimum levels of experience and training can be listed in this Directory. This Directory is divided into five different types of dispute resolution practitioners. The requirements to be listed differ depending on the type of listing. An individual can be listed in one or as many as five of the categories.

Mediator
Arbitrator
Settlement Conference Facilitator
Large Group Dispute Resolution Facilitator

Trainer - a person who offers professional training to mediators or arbitrators on techniques for settling disputes.

In order to be listed in each category, practitioners must state that they meet certain minimum training and experience levels. What does certification mean?

Those listed in the Directory come from a wide range of professional backgrounds and geographic locations in the state. You can review the specifics in the listing for each practitioner.

How do people qualify to be listed in this Directory?

All applicants must state that they meet certain minimum levels of relevant experience and training. The Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland (C-DRUM) reviews the application form before the practitioner is included in the Directory. However, C-DRUM does not investigate the credentials that an applicant claims. There are five categories of practitioners and each category has its own criteria for listing.

To be listed in one or more of the following 5 categories in the on-line Directory, a practitioner must indicate that they meet certain minimum levels of experience and training. Exception - If a practitioner meets the training requirement but does not meet the minimum case requirements, s/he may still be listed as part of the Free Services Panel.

Mediator - Minimum Experience Level - A mediator must have mediated at least 5 cases and completed at least 40 hours of mediation training.
- To be listed under the marital property category, you must also have completed an additional 20 hours of specialized mediation marital property training.
- To be listed under the child custody/visitation category, you must also have completed an additional 20 hours of specialized mediation child custody/visitation training.
Arbitrator - Minimum Experience Level - Have acted as an arbitrator in 5 cases, completed at least 8 hours of appropriate training. If you have arbitrated 15 cases, there is no minimum training requirement.
Settlement Conference Facilitator - Have conducted 5 settlement conferences
Large Group Dispute Resolution Facilitator (also known as consensus building, public policy mediation or collaborative problem solving) - Minimum Experience Level - Have facilitated dispute resolution sessions in at least 5 cases involving 6 or more parties.
Trainer - Minimum Experience Level - Have conducted at least 5 trainings of practitioners involved in alternative dispute resolution.

For a complete list of the information that those listed in the Directory have provided, you can review the Directory application form. Not all of this information will be available to you. The form just gives you an idea of what information is on file with the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland

What if I have a disability and need special accommodation (help)?

A special law, called the Americans with Disabilities Act, protects persons with disabilities in their interactions with individuals, businesses and governments that provide services. The law requires that professional offices or spaces used by professionals to deliver services be accessible to all members of the public including those with disabilities. 42 U.S.C. 12102

A person with a disability is defined as someone who meets one of the following:

You have a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits your ability to engage in a major life activity (such as caring for yourself, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, learning, breathing or working), or
You have a history of an impairment like the one described above, or
Others regard you as someone with an impairment such as the one described above.

If you need a particular accommodation, the best approach is to communicate what you will need (a sign interpreter or other assistance) to the person you would like to see. This will allow them to make any special arrangements that are need.

The law also forbids the service provider to charge an extra fee (1) for the removal of a barrier or (2) to provide the extra assistance. 28 C.F.R. 36.301(c).

Interested in tips we offer to practitioners on how to help you in this area?

Do the sponsors recommend the practitioners listed here?

No - This Directory is an on-line "yellow pages" for alternative dispute resolution practitioners. We are not a membership or certification organization. In order to be listed, applicants are asked to describe their background in some detail. (Here is a look at the form they must complete.) We ask applicants to meet minimum training and experience levels. This information is self-reported. We do not investigate the credentials, qualifications or experience of those who apply to be listed.

None of the sponsors make any representation as to the skill or qualifications of anyone listed in the Directory nor does listing in this Directory constitute an endorsement by these organizations. C-DRUM, DRUM, MLAN, and MACRO disclaim any and all liability for any misrepresentations that may be contained in the information provided by the practitioners who are listed. Before engaging anyone listed in this Directory you are strongly urged to speak directly with them to confirm their training, fees and mediation approach. Read the background information on this website such as "What you need to know about mediation."

Sponsors - Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland (C-DRUM), Maryland Legal Assistance Network, or the Maryland Mediation and Conflicts Resolution Office (MACRO).

How often is this Directory updated?

This Directory is a "work in progress" and is continuously updated. This does not mean that you will not find out-of-date information. We rely upon those who are listed in the Directory to contact us if any of their information changes. They can do this by a special online form. In addition, once per year we send out reminders to everyone in the Directory. We ask them to review their on-line information and tell us about changes. If you find any outdated or incorrect information, please let us know and we will follow-up with the practitioner.

Updated information and new requests for listing in the Directory should be emailed directly to C-DRUM or mailed to University of Maryland Center for Dispute Resolution ATTN: ADR Directory, C-DRUM, University of Maryland School of Law

500 West Baltimore Street, Baltimore, MD 21201-1786. Any questions should be directed to C-DRUM.

What do I do if I have a suggestion or complaint?

We are interested in hearing from you. If you have a suggestion or a complaint about the Directory, e-mail the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland (C-DRUM) staff .

The sponsors of this Directory, the section on mediation and Peoples Law Library website do not recommend or endorse the work of any of the people listed here. This Directory is a public service to help you connect with practitioners who offer their services to the public. We are not a membership or certification organization for alternative dispute resolution practitioners; instead we act like a "yellow pages".

I am a professional who helps others to resolve disputes. How can I be added to this Directory?

You must meet certain minimum experience and training requirements. Complete the form on this website. You must practice in Maryland. Your application will be reviewed by the Director at the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland (C-DRUM) and then posted to the Directory on-line. You will be contacted if there are any questions. More questions? Contact us.

Source: Maryland Legal Assistance Network and the Center for Dispute Resolution at the University of Maryland. Updated by the Maryland State Law Library (MSLL).

Last review date: 10/31/08 (PLL/M.A.J.)