“Surprisingly, plenty of lawyers find that training and volunteering as a mediator is a rewarding way to spend their time.” So says Kayla Matthews in her Mediate.com blog “Volunteer Mediation is Rewarding.” But is it?
Kubota Garden, Seattle, Washington. Photo copyright © Jeff Smoot.
After a little over a year of serving as a volunteer mediator with the Mediation Center of the Pacific in Honolulu, I’d have to say yes. Aside from the benefits Matthews lists in her blog (which include “mediation makes you a better person” which is true, of course), the biggest benefits for me have been being able to keep my mediation skills sharp (especially my Zoom mediation skills) while helping many different clients try to resolve all kinds of disputes. You never know what you’re going to get, and have to be ready for anything.
Of course, I’d prefer to be doing paid mediation work (and I’m available if you need a mediator!), but I’ll keep volunteering. It’s not just rewarding; it’s kind of fun, especially when I'm able to help people reach an agreement that resolves their dispute.
To schedule a mediation in Washington or Hawai'i, contact Jeff Smoot at jeffsmootlaw@gmail.com or (206) 397-0020.
Copyright © 2023 by Jeffrey L. Smoot. All rights reserved.
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