To become a civil mediator in private practice, one must basically receive mediation training to learn the basics of the mediation process and how to successfully conduct a mediation. There are no training requirements at all for civil mediators in private practice. In other words, the private practice of civil mediation in Louisiana is unregulated. In order to mediate professionally, a mediator simply needs to gain experience as a mediator and convince others to hire him or her as their mediator. To serve as a court appointed mediator in civil cases, generally, one has be a lawyer licensed to practice in any state for at least five years and have completed a minimum of forty (40) hours of mediation training.

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Mediation Training Company offers forty (40) hours of civil mediation training. Thirty (30) hours of mediation training are offered live, in person, and ten  (10) hours of introductory training are offered online, on the Internet. During our thirty (30) hour mediation training course, mediators will learn the basics of civil mediation such as how the conduct the opening statement, the joint session, the caucus, and how to close out a civil mediation. Additionally, mediators will learn about confidentiality, how to break impasse and reach agreement, and how to deal with difficult people. The course also has significant mediation role plays or mediation simulations so that each participant can learn what it feels like to be a mediator, a plaintiff, and defendant in a mediation. For more information on our civil mediation course, feel free to contact us.

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To conduct child custody mediations in Louisiana, generally, the individual must be a licensed as an attorney, psychiatrist, psychologist, social worker, marriage and family counselor, professional counselor, or clergyman and have received 40 hours of mediation training under a professional licensed to conduct such training. Once the licensed professional has received the requisite amount of training, he is said to be “qualified” as a child custody mediator. That qualified mediator can then conduct all types of family mediations, including handling child custody, visitation, property distribution, spousal support, and child support matters.

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Louisiana does not certify or license mediators. There is no governing body that licenses or certifies mediators. However, the Louisiana State Bar Association ADR Section maintains rosters of civil, child custody, and juvenile mediators who meet the applicable statutory requirements. The qualifications statutes for mediators in Louisiana are LSA – R.S. 9:334 (child custody); LSA – R.S. 9:4106 (civil); and LSA – Ch.C. 439 (juvenile).