If you are an HLS student interested in learning more about the clinical credit opportunity, please contact Clinical Instructor Cathy Mondell at 617-495-1854 or by e-mail at cmondell@law.harvard.edu. Please also see the HLS Court Catalog listing for the Clinic and Clinical Seminar, and the overviews available as part of the OCP “Clinic Stories” “Clinics in a Minute” and “Clinics at a Glance” series.
OVERVIEW
In semesters when the Mediation Clinic is offered, up to six students have the opportunity to earn one clinical credit (i.e., an expected commitment of approximately four hours of clinical time per week, in addition to the required training) plus one seminar credit. The Mediation Clinic and Seminar experience generally encompasses mediating disputes filed in local courts (typically small claims cases and/or harassment prevention orders), engaging in debriefing with other HMP mediators and written self-reflection, office projects in support of mediation (e.g., drafting new mock mediation scenarios for use in training and continuing education, collecting feedback from mediation participants), plus a series of six 2-hour Seminar meetings.
REQUIREMENTS
Training. Clinical students must complete HMP’s basic mediation training either before or during the semester of participation in the Mediation Clinic. HMP’s upcoming training dates are listed on the sidebar for this page.
Classroom co-requisite. Clinical students must be enrolled in the classroom co-requisite for the Mediation Clinic, which is a one-credit Clinical Seminar.
Weekly activity. The Clinical and Seminar activity is focused more heavily in a second half of the semester, after the required basic training is completed. Weekly activity during that period may comprise: (i) participating in a mediation session to mediate or observe, which is generally a 2-3 hour time commitment, plus travel to/from the court; (ii) submitting a written self-reflection following a mediation session; (iii) working approximately one hour on HMP office projects, including preparing new mock mediation scenarios for use in training and continuing education; and (iv) preparation for and participation in the Seminar discussion. HMP’s Clinical Instructor will work with you throughout the semester to participate in debriefing cases you mediate, respond to your journals, and provide coaching and feedback.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Harvard Law School is committed to the full inclusion of students with disabilities in the life of the University. Students requesting accessibility resources or accommodations in any of HLS’s Clinical and Pro Bono Programs may work with Accessibility Services in the Dean of Students Office. If you are a student with a documented disability and you are requesting accommodations, please contact HLS Accessibility Services to discuss and register for accommodations.