Professional Development, Events, and Programs
The SCMA hosts many events throughout the year relating to the practice of mediation. These events include our Professional Development Series, SCMA Institutes, Professional Development Groups, Networking Mixers, and Annual Conference.
The SCMA Professional Development Series
The SCMA offers monthly events geared towards helping mediators develop their practices. Past topics have included presentations on marketing techniques, negotiation skills, confidentiality, employment mediation, peer mediation, restorative justice, elder mediation, personal injury mediation, family mediation, entertainment mediation, and many more. Where the content of the meeting meets the State Bar of California MCLE requirements, MCLE credit is offered.
SCMA Institutes
Each year the SCMA hosts an institute focused on a specific topic in mediation. Past institutes have focused on real estate mediation, employment mediation, elder mediation, and mediator stories and mindfulness.
Professional Development Groups
SCMA has created various professional development groups to provide peer support, peer review, and case analysis, to analyze and study ongoing developments in the laws surrounding mediation, as well as any other topics of interest to their members. Professional development groups typically meet once a month in the evenings for approximately two hours, throughout Los Angeles, Santa Barbara, Orange, and San Diego Counties. Check the calendar for upcoming Professional Development Groups dates and locations.
Networking Mixers
Joining the SCMA makes it fun and easy to network with colleagues. The SCMA offers several social mixers each year where mediators can get to know each other while enjoying some delicious food and perhaps a drink!
SCMA Annual Conference
The SCMA hosts an annual conference each year at Pepperdine University School of Law in Malibu, CA. More than 250 mediators attend the day-long event which offers various workshops and an Advanced Track program developed by the American Institute of Mediation.
We welcome your ideas!
The SCMA Programs Committee welcomes suggestions for speakers, topics and venues! If you would like further information or wish to make any suggestions, please contact Robyn Weinstein at [email protected].