Upcoming Meetings and Events

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• May Social & Happy Hour

  • When
    Thursday, May 01, 2025
  •  
    5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
  • Location
    Austin Home Slice North Loop 501 E. 53rd St
  • Spaces left
    97

  Register

  AMA Social & Happy Hour

  Location

  In-person at Home Slice Pizza

  501 East 53rd Street, 78751

  Date & Time

  Thursday, May 1, 2025 @ 5:00 pm

  The AMA Board invites our mediation community to gather in-person, to enjoy one another's company as well as to network and socialize. The event will be at Home Slice Pizza [501 E. 53rd Street].

  Pizza will be provided.

  Additional food and beverage items may be optionally purchased, if desired.  

  Please register as it helps us plan the event.

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• United Nations' Mediation Support Unit

  • When
    Friday, May 02, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Spaces left
    74

  Register

  United Nations Peacemakers:

  Mediation Support Unit

  Location

  Zoom

  Date & Time

  Friday, May 2

  Noon to 1:00 PM

  Please join us as we hear from Kirsi Joenpolvi, a member of the Standby Team of the United Nations Mediation Support Unit (MSU). Founded in 2006, the MSU helps with mediation efforts, ceasefires, and constitution-making. It also provides tailored support throughout the planning, implementation and evaluation phases of a mediation process. Within the MSU, the Standby Team consists of expert mediators who can quickly deploy to assist with various challenges in mediation and preventive diplomacy, such as dialogue design, gender inclusion, constitutional matters, and security arrangements. Their services are free and available to UN envoys, peace operations, regional organizations, member states, and civil society partners involved in conflict mediation and dialogue worldwide.

  Kirsi Joenpolvi works for the United Nations Department of Political  and Peacebuilding Affairs and its Mediation Support Unit, providing technical support to the UN’s and its partners’ peacemaking efforts. She has assisted countries in developing strategies to seek international support for their peacebuilding priorities through the Peacebuilding Commission. In 2015, she was an advisor on the design of national and local level dialogue processes and the mediation of local ceasefires in Ukraine. From 2007 to 2013, she headed the Africa Program of President Ahtisaari’s organization, CMI. In that capacity, she designed supportive dialogue tracks for peace processes in Liberia, Mali, and South Sudan, and advised the African Union’s Peace and Security Department. Ms. Joenpolvi has also worked for UNDP on the resolution of local conflicts in Timor-Leste and Afghanistan, for the European Union in Ethiopia (2004-2006) to de-escalate post-electoral violence, and for the Australian Government (2001-2003) on good governance in China. She is a certified community mediator, conflict coach, and leadership coach in New York.

  Attendees questions are welcome and encouraged.

  1 hour of mediator continuing education,

  including 0.50 hour of ethics for attendees

  1 hour of MCLE, including 0.50 hour

  of ethics approved by the State Bar of Texas

  This mediation is rescheduled from Friday, April 18, 2025.

  Registration is free for AMA Members/$15 for non-members. Attorneys who wish to receive Texas MCLE credit are asked to pay a $5 fee to offset the cost of MCLE sponsorship.

  Become a member today for as little as $35!

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• Mediators & Attorneys: Allies in Dispute Resolution

  • When
    Friday, June 20, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Austin Dispute Resolution Center
  • Spaces left
    97

  Register

  Mediators & Attorneys:

  Allies in Dispute Resolution

  Location

  Austin Dispute Resolution Center

  Date & Time

  Friday, June 20, 2025 @ Noon

  This presentation will explore the dynamic relationship between mediators and attorneys during the mediation process. A panel of mediators and attorneys will discuss best practices for collaboration, the distinct, yet complementary roles each play, and strategies to ensure a client-centered, efficient resolution. Come learn from experienced professionals who will share examples and provide practical tools to enhance mediation outcomes while maintaining professional ethics and procedural fairness. Learn how attorneys and mediators can work together with lawyers still advocating for their clients and mediators still maintaining their impartiality. This session will be ideal for attorneys and mediators seeking to refine their skills and build stronger working relationships in dispute resolution.

  How can attorneys better prepare their clients for mediation?

  How can mediators best support parties and their attorneys?

  What challenges arise when one party is unrepresented, and how can mediators and attorneys navigate this effectively?

  How is the role of attorneys in mediation evolving, especially with virtual mediation becoming more common?

  What ethical considerations should attorneys and mediators be mindful of when working together?
  

  Attendees questions are welcome and encouraged.

  Lunch will be provided.

  1 hour of mediator continuing education,

  including 1 hour of ethics for attendees

  1 hour of MCLE, including 1 hour

  of ethics pending with the State Bar of Texas 

  Registration is free for AMA Members/$15 for non-members. Attorneys who wish to receive Texas MCLE credit are asked to pay a $5 fee to offset the cost of MCLE sponsorship.

  Become a member today for as little as $35!

  Show details
• Is this fair? Ethical Challenges When Mediating Pro Se Divorces

  • When
    Friday, August 15, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Spaces left
    99

  Register

  Is this fair?

  Ethical Challenges When

  Mediating Pro Se Divorces

  Location

  Zoom

  Date & Time

  Friday, August 15, 2025 @ Noon

  Experienced trial attorney and mediator, John Palmer's practice focuses on family law, mediation, and ethics and civility.

  Palmer will explore the role of family law mediation in resolving disputes, with a focus on pro se clients who navigate the process without legal representation. He will discuss the unique challenges mediators face in maintaining neutrality while ensuring fairness and informed decision-making. Palmer's presentation will analyze ethical considerations, including the risk of power imbalances and the mediator’s duty to facilitate voluntary, equitable agreements.

  Attendees questions are welcome and encouraged.

  1 hour of mediator continuing education,

  including 1 hour of ethics for attendees

  1 hour of MCLE, including 1 hour

  of ethics pending by the State Bar of Texas 

  Registration is free for AMA Members/$15 for non-members. Attorneys who wish to receive Texas MCLE credit are asked to pay a $5 fee to offset the cost of MCLE sponsorship.

  Become a member today for as little as $35!

  Show details
• Mediation or Arbitration: The Pros & Cons of Each

  • When
    Friday, October 17, 2025
  •  
    12:00 PM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Zoom
  • Spaces left
    99

  Register

  Mediation or Arbitration:

  The Pros & Cons of Each

  Location

  Zoom

  Date & Time

  Friday, August 15, 2025 @ Noon

  Thomas J. Mitchell, an experienced mediator and arbitrator with over 5,000 mediations and 250 arbitrations, will discuss evolving dispute resolution methods, including direct negotiation, mediation, and arbitration. He will also compare mediation, arbitration, and jury trials, offering guidance on choosing the best approach for clients.

  Attendees questions are welcome and encouraged.

  1 hour of mediator continuing education,

  including 0.25 hour of ethics for attendees

  1 hour of MCLE, including 0.25 hour

  of ethics pending with the State Bar of Texas 

  Registration is free for AMA Members/$15 for non-members. Attorneys who wish to receive Texas MCLE credit are asked to pay a $5 fee to offset the cost of MCLE sponsorship.

  Become a member today for as little as $35!

  Show details
• End-of-Year Luncheon

  • When
    Friday, December 12, 2025
  •  
    11:30 AM - 1:00 PM
  • Location
    Austin Dispute Resolution Center
  • Spaces left
    99

  Register

  End-of-Year

  Luncheon & Meeting

  Location

  Austin Dispute Resolution Center

  Date & Time

  Friday, December 12, 2025 @ 11:30 

  We will have a very short annual meeting, including the election of Austin Mediators Association Board members for 2026.

  Speaker and topic TBD.

  Lunch will be provided.

  1 hour of mediator continuing education,

  including 1 hour of ethics for attendees

  1 hour of MCLE, including 1 hour

  of ethics pending approval with the State Bar of Texas 

  Registration is free for AMA Members/$15 for non-members. Attorneys who wish to receive Texas MCLE credit are asked to pay a $5 fee to offset the cost of MCLE sponsorship.

  Become a member of AMA today for as little as $35!

  Show details