Quicklinks: Schedule Mediation | Register for Training | Reserve Meeting Space | Contact Us | Search Solutions to Lawsuits Solutions for Families Solutions for Business Professional Training ADR Research Initiatives Company Information

Cobb Mediation, LLC is now The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. More information We will be closed on November 27, 28, December 25, 26 for the holidays. We are proud to introduce Christopher Annunziata as the newest member of our Panel of Neutrals. Mr. Annunziata (A-nun-zi-ata) is an attorney who litigated commercial, employment, insurance coverage and corporate matters at a major international law firm prior to opening a full time mediation and arbitration practice. See our latest findings: Empirical Analysis of Mediation Comments are welcome. The Historic Anderson Mansion will be a featured destination on this year's Marietta Pilgrimmage Christmas Home Tour and will be the site of this year’s Marietta Olde Marietta Tearoom. Visit us Saturday, December 6th and Sunday, December 7th from 10 am to 4 pm. We recently hosted a special event for Marietta's Strand Theater. Attendees were treated to a preview of the restored Strand Theater and an opportunity to buy season tickets before they went on sale to the general public. See photographs of Strand Event. The Center for Legal Solutions Director Barry Edwards' Article on Comprehensive Arbitration of Domestic Relations Cases in Georgia appears in the latest issue of the Georgia Bar Journal. These web sites offer more information about mediation: Institute for Environmental Negptiation: At the University of Virginia. Ohio State Journal on Dispute Resolution More ADR links

About the Author: This research report on Opportunities in the ADR Field in Georgia was compiled by Jennifer Matte. Ms. Matte is Vermont Law School graduate. During law school, she completed an externship with the Consortium for Negotiation and Conflict Resolution. Her work with The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. has primarily focused on the emergence of specializations within the ADR community. Questions and comments regarding this research may be directed to jmatte@vermontlaw.edu. See State and Local Requirements for: General Civil Mediation Domestic Relations Mediation Arbitration Early Neutral / Case Evaluation Continuing Requirements Opportunities with Elder / Family Caregiver Mediation Elder Mediation is generally used as a means of resolving family or caregiver disputes while preserving the autonomy of the older party Specifically, guardianship mediation programs utilize mediation in situations where family members or friends have already petitioned for guardianship of an older person Mediation may provide an alternative means of addressing the issues prompting the guardianship petition (desire to find an alternative that addresses the issues of concern without taking away the rights of the older person to make all or most of the decisions about their life) GA has a specific elder mediation program known as Family Caregiver Mediation And has developed the National Elder Mediation Network to handle current issues in elder mediation The program is available due to a grant to the GA Division of Aging Services and the Center for Social Gerontology Serves Georgians aged 60 and older Uses Mediation to assist frail older persons and their family caregivers to address and resolve problems and disputes which arise when families face the emotional, physical, and financial demands of providing long term care to an older family member Who administers the program? Who is the director and what is their title? Family Caregiver Mediation: Maria Greene director of Division of Aging Services, GA Dept of HR Contact: (404) 657-5337 Who performs the mediation? How is this determined? Generally, elder mediation is performed by a private mediator selected by the elder and his or her caregiver What are the requirements for training in order to mediate these disputes? How much experience is suggested or required? Training recommendations and programs have been developed by the Center for Social Gerontology (nonprofit research and training organization designed to promote the individual autonomy of older persons and advance their well-being in society) Training: 2.5 day training programs for experienced mediators who wish to extend their practice into guardianship/family caregiver mediation OR 40 hour general mediation training 16 hour adult guardianship/caregiver training 10 hour internship Course Curriculum: Mediation Preparation and Process (basics) Ethical Issues focused on protecting the respondent Instruction on guardianship law and practice Where is this type of mediation performed? Mediations are held at local community dispute resolution centers or in locations that are convenient and accessible to both parties Additional Information on State Requirements: Georgia Supreme Court ADR Rules, Appendix B: Requirements for Training and Qualification of Neutrals Ethics Information from the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution Frequently Asked Questions Regarding Neutral Registration: From the GCDR State Approved Training Programs: Indexed by Type of Training Additional Information on Local Requirements: Clayton Judicial Circuit ADR Rules: See Rule 6: Qualification of Neutrals Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Mediator Qualifications for Certification Cobb County Superior Court Mediation Program: Case Evaluator Qualifications Dekalb County Dispute Resolution Program Policies and Procedure Gwinnett ADR Program Internal Operating Procedures See Rule 1.5: Neutral Qualifications 6th JAD ADR Program Rules and Procedures: See Rule 9: Neutral Qualifications 7th Judicial Administrative District: Mediator Qualifications 9th Judicial Administrative District ADR Rules See Rule 5: Neutral Qualifications for Service in the Program

The Center for Legal Solutions, Inc. 65 Whitlock Avenue Marietta, Georgia 30064 Phone: 770-693-3470   Fax: 770-419-4464