Harvard Mediation Intensive

The most trusted mediators help parties resolve disputes effectively, discreetly, and, pro-actively. Increasingly, people are turning to mediation to achieve sustainable resolutions, settle disputes more rapidly and control legal costs. By building up their mediation expertise, lawyers, judges, leaders and managers from a range of industries are well positioned to advance better ways of dealing with conflict. Add this essential skillset to your practice by joining us at Harvard Law School for the new Harvard Mediation Intensive.

For forty years now, the Program on Negotiation at Harvard Law School has trained thousands of mediators, negotiators, and other professionals, including participants from the United States, Canada, and over 50 other countries. Led by mediation experts Audrey Lee and Alain Lempereur, the Harvard Mediation Intensive delves into mediation principles and processes through interactive presentations and experiential learning with multiple case simulations. From employment and business disagreements to public and international conflicts, you will discover effective ways tomediate parties, helping them to settle their differences across a variety of contexts.

Held at Harvard Law School this summer from June 23 – 27, 2025, the Harvard Mediation Intensive offers insight into ethical dilemmas, identity-based conflicts, bias and stereotyping, and working with strong emotions throughout the mediation process. By engaging in realistic role-play simulations, you’ll sharpen your core mediator skills including active listening, asking probing questions, developing creative options, reframing, brainstorming, and building sustainable agreements.

Learning Objectives

During this intensive five-day program, you will:

• Gain knowledge of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) processes and their application in real-world situations
• Examine mediation principles in theory and practice
• Review and experience the various stages of the mediation process
• Explore caucus theories and the role of attorneys
• Learn how to build value and relationships through the mediation process
• Enhance parties’ ability to work toward an agreement by helping them identify their underlying interests and move from positions to interest-based negotiating
• Acquire improved problem-solving negotiation techniques
• Discover best-practice solutions for the multi-faceted challenges facing mediation practitioners
• Learn how to overcome obstacles to achieve mutually satisfactory settlements and become more comfortable with the various roles of a mediator

Who Should Attend?

This program is appropriate for lawyers who are interested in adding mediation to their practice, and judges who are interested in overseeing court-based mediation programs or becoming professional mediators. We also welcome professionals from all backgrounds, industries, and countries who wish to improve their ability to mediate. Previous participants have included lawyers, judges, executives, directors, managers, doctors, teachers, ministers, and administrators.

To deliver the personalized learning experience for which this program is known, enrollment is limited.

Due to the interactive and simulation-rich nature of the training, participants must demonstrate proficiency in English, as this program is conducted solely in English. Participants should be able to converse fluently in dialogue with the instructor and other students. While a certification of fluency in English is not required, we suggest a TOEFL written exam score of 570 as the minimum proficiency standard. PON may call applicants to assess English proficiency.

Format

This in-person program will run June 23-27, 2025 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ET (Friday the program closes at 4 p.m) with an hour-long lunch and short breaks throughout the day. Given the highly interactive nature of this program, participant attendance at all sessions is required. There will be assigned reading and preparation in the weeks leading up to the program and throughout the course so participants should plan accordingly.

Networking receptions will be held on Monday and Thursday.

To actively engage you in the mediation process, each day features lectures, interactive discussions, small group work, one-on-one exercises, and mediation simulations, in addition to mediation coaching. Key to the program is the opportunity to explore your own mediation technique and skills by receiving and applying feedback from fellow participants and the instructors’ team.

Certificates

Physical and digital certificates will be issued to participants who attend all sessions and complete the course evaluation. Please allow 4-6 weeks for processing and delivery. A letter of completion along with detailed course agenda can be supplied at the end of the course for those seeking further professional accreditation.

Course Materials

The course website will become available one month out from the course. Program assignments and materials will be accessed digitally through the course website.