Starting your own mediation practice can feel overwhelming—but it doesn’t have to be.
Whether you’re transitioning from the courts, completing your first training program, or ready to turn part-time cases into a full-time business, this guide will walk you through everything you need to get up and running with confidence.
Step 1: Define Your Practice Focus
Not all mediators do the same thing—and that’s a good thing. The first step is deciding what kinds of conflicts you’re best equipped (and most passionate) to resolve.
Ask yourself:
• Do I want to focus on family, workplace, personal injury, landlord-tenant, or small business disputes?
• Do I plan to mediate in person, virtually, or offer both?
• What level of cases am I qualified to handle?
Your focus shapes everything—from marketing and pricing to platform choice.
Step 2: Get the Right Credentials
While not all states require licensure, credibility matters. Here’s what you’ll typically need:
• Completion of a certified mediation training (usually 20–40 hours)
• Additional training if handling specialized cases (e.g., divorce, civil court referrals)
• Court rosters, where applicable (check your state or local court system)
Bonus: Get feedback early. Co-mediate when you can. Practice sharpens your skills—and builds your reputation.
Step 3: Set Your Pricing and Policies
Pricing isn’t just about hourly rates. You need clear, consistent policies that communicate your value and protect your time.
Key questions to answer:
• Will you charge flat fees, hourly rates, or packages?
• What’s your cancellation and refund policy?
• Will you charge for prep time, follow-ups, or written summaries?
Pro Tip: Many successful mediators on FourthParty offer flat-rate virtual sessions to keep things simple and predictable.
Step 4: Establish a Digital Presence
You don’t need a fancy website—but you do need to be discoverable and trustworthy online.
At minimum, create:
• A one-page website with your bio, services, pricing, and contact info
• A professional LinkedIn profile
• A Google Business Profile if you serve local clients
And if you want to level up—create educational blog posts, webinars, or short videos explaining how mediation works and why you’re different.
Step 5: Automate Your Back Office
This is where most mediators struggle: scheduling, invoicing, case tracking, reminders, and file sharing.
That’s why FourthParty exists.
Our platform is built just for mediators and combines:
• Smart scheduling with automated reminders
• Flat-rate invoicing and secure online payments
• Case dashboards and document storage
• Templates and intake forms
💡 Pro tip: The more organized and professional your systems are, the more likely attorneys and clients will refer you again.
Step 6: Get Your First Clients
Referrals and relationships matter. Don’t wait for business to come to you—be proactive.
Ideas to get started:
• Reach out to attorneys in your network
• Attend local bar association events
• Partner with co-working spaces, therapy practices, or small business networks
• Offer a discounted “pilot” session to collect reviews and testimonials
Don’t underestimate word-of-mouth. Your first five clients can become your best marketers.
Step 7: Track, Improve, and Scale
Once you have a few cases under your belt, it’s time to build your system for growth.
Use FourthParty to:
• Track your revenue by case type
• Identify your most reliable referral sources
• Adjust your calendar availability as demand grows
• Scale your workflow without hiring staff
Growth doesn’t mean burnout. It means working smarter with the right tools in place.
You Don’t Have to Build It Alone
At FourthParty, we believe mediators are essential to a fairer legal system—and you deserve modern tools to run your business with ease.
If you’re ready to start or scale your practice, we’re here to help.
You became a mediator to help people resolve conflict—not to get buried in admin. Let’s build the business side of your practice together.
Be in Business for yourself, not by yourself. Get the must have solution for the Modern Mediator.