Join master mediator Ken Cloke for an interactive, open-mic conversation exploring the questions mediators most want answered. Drawing on decades of experience resolving complex conflicts, Ken will share practical insights, hard-earned lessons, and thoughtful perspectives on the challenges that arise in the mediation room.
Despite our professed desire to explore new and different solutions in conflict, there are multiple barriers to creativity. We will explore several cognitive biases, different perspectives on uncertainty and fear of change, and explore how better understanding both neuroscience and communication theory can provide customized strategies to move through resistance. We will also learn how to adapt traditional brainstorming to be more attune to these potential obstacles and create more options and alternatives for mediation parties.
When a litigant arrives with an AI-generated case evaluation predicting courtroom success, ordinary reality testing may not work. Doug Noll explores why machine-generated certainty can deepen entrenchment and teaches a two-part intervention: address the emotion beneath the position before examining the AI’s conclusions. He also identifies a potential privilege and discovery trap created by turning to consumer AI for case analysis, along with four safeguards mediators can use to avoid making a difficult situation worse.
Power shapes every mediation, often without our awareness. Parties, counsel, and mediators bring different sources of rank, while perceived status influences who speaks, defers, or feels heard. This interactive workshop explores four forms of power—local, global, psychological, and spiritual—and how unconscious signals convey respect, superiority, or dismissal. Through an experiential exercise, discover firsthand how status shapes behavior and group dynamics. Learn to recognize your own rank, identify hidden power imbalances, and build trust, preserve dignity, and advance resolution.
The Advanced Track is intentionally different from general conference programming.
By limiting participation to mediators with substantial practical experience, everyone in the room can begin at a higher level, allowing the faculty and participants to spend their time on advanced skills, difficult choices, and the realities of sophisticated mediation practice.
Participation in the AIM Advanced Track is by application only. Registrations for the Advanced Track are treated as applications and are pending approval by the American Institute of Mediation.
Participants must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
The result is a room filled with practitioners who already understand the fundamentals and are there for the same reason:
to keep getting better.
Advanced Track registration includes the morning keynote with Ken Cloke, the closing keynote with Woody Mosten, lunch, and conference breaks.
Advanced Track participants remain part of the full SCMA Annual Conference while having their own dedicated advanced learning experience.
You’ll join the larger conference community for keynote programs, networking, breaks, lunch, and other conference activities, then come together with fellow experienced mediators for the four AIM Advanced Track sessions.
It is a rare opportunity to spend a day surrounded by other seasoned practitioners, reconnect with colleagues, learn from accomplished mediators and trainers, and leave with new ideas for the cases waiting for you back at the office.
The AIM Advanced Track was created to bring experienced mediators back to the SCMA Annual Conference for programming designed specifically for their level. It gives seasoned practitioners a place to gather with peers, take part in high-level conversations, and continue developing through advanced training that remains relevant to the realities of their work.
The Advanced Track also reflects AIM’s commitment to supporting SCMA. AIM presents the program pro bono, with 100% of Advanced Track registration proceeds going to SCMA. At the same time, the program helps AIM continue building a community where experienced mediators can come together for advanced learning, thoughtful discussion, and continued professional growth.
