Seven years ago this November, the Florida Supreme Court amended the Rules for Certified and Court-Appointed Mediators to no longer restrict candidacy to members of the Florida Bar. In a state that required mediation before a civil suit could go to trial—and still does—many thought the decision would be a game-changer in an area that had been the exclusive domain of retired judges and attorneys.
There are now more than 6,000 Florida Supreme Court-certified mediators, more than half of whom have completed a 40-hour circuit civil training course and met the requirements of a point-based system that quantifies education, mentorship and, among other miscellaneous criteria, professional licensure. While more than half come from a traditional legal background and are members of the Bar, there are an almost equal number of other industry-specific professionals, including architects, accountants, bankers and engineers.
