The Circuit Mediation Office is staffed by a Chief Circuit Mediator and seven Circuit Mediators. The mediators facilitate settlement discussions among parties and their counsel in a wide range of civil cases, including civil rights, tribal, employment, intellectual property, insurance, contracts and environmental matters.

Mediators begin the process by conducting conference calls with counsel to explore settlement potential. If the parties are interested in working to resolve the dispute, the mediators help devise a settlement process that meets the distinct needs of the participants in that case. For instance, in some cases an in-person mediation is held at a mutually agreeable location within the Ninth Circuit. In other cases, all of the settlement work is telephonic and may continue over several months. Whatever settlement process is employed, the mediators facilitate negotiations, manage conflict, and promote the parties’ understanding of the legal, practical, personal and financial ramifications of litigation. Additionally, mediators assist parties with procedural matters, draft orders and educate the bar about the court’s mediation program.

Learn more, and apply at their job page.