MEDIATION RELATED EVENTS, TRAININGS and CONFERENCES

• West Virginia Mediators interested in expanding their private practice in family law matters may benefit from online training offered via Zoom in early 2026. This training is not part of any certification program. Registration opens October 15, 2025. The courses include:

  • Skills and Techniques for Mediating Equitable Distribution Matters in West Virginia. January 8, 2026, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

  • West Virginia Laws on Equitable Distribution for the Mediator: January 22, 2026, 7:00 p.m.-9:00 p.m.

  • Skills and Techniques for Mediating Spousal Support and Child Support in West Virginia: February 12, 2026, 7:00-9:00 p.m.

  • West Virginia Laws on Child and Spousal Support for the Mediator: February 26, 2026, 7:00-9:00 p.m

• West Virginia Mediators and Attorneys seeking to learn more about mediation and earn live continuing education credits before the June, 2026 deadline may want to participate in one of our live online webinars. On June 9, 2026, from 12:00-12:50 p.m., we will explore the importance of getting off to a good start in mediation in our webinar, The First Five Minutes. Brenda had previously conducted this workshop for the ABA ADR section and for the Virginia Mediation Network. On June 23, 2026, from 12:00-1:00 p.m., we will offer a program addressing self-determination in mediation, Hijacked. This program has also been part of the ABA ADR section conference, as well as the Pennsylvania Council of Mediators. The cost will be $25.00 for each course and registration will open on January 1, 2026.

• West Virginia Family Court Mediation Certification Training. Save the date! This fall, we offered the first training in nearly 10 years for certification for Family Court mediation in West Virginia. The final session of this hybrid course, which provides for certification of West Virginia Family Court mediators, concludes on September 25, 2025. The course will be offered again in a hybrid format that will include eight 3-hour online meetings and a 2 1/2-day in-person session in 2026. Subject to modification, the course will be offered beginning on August 6, 2026, with weekly meetings through October 1, 2026, from 6:00-9:00 p.m., and the in-person segment will be at Blackwater State Park from September 16, 2026 from 6:00-9:00 and September 17 and 18, 2025 from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. Registration is limited to twenty participants. Registration will open January 1, 2026. The program will be submitted for continuing legal education credits for attorneys.

• West Virginia Family Court Mediation Continuing Education. The new cohort of family court mediators will collaborate to offer a six-hour Continuing Legal Education Program on September 16, 2026, in Davis, West Virginia, prior to the Certification Training. Details will become available in spring 2026.

  RESTORATIVE LAWYERING and RESTORATIVE JUSTICE EVENTS

• Restorative Lawyering. In anticipation of the publication of Brenda’s book, Becoming a Restorative Lawyer: How to Transform Your Legal Practice for Self, Client, and Community Growth, several events have been scheduled. She will be presenting on this topic at the Virginia Mediation Network conference on October 3-4, 2025, in Richmond, Virginia.

• Coming June 18, 2026. We are in the planning process for Rooted Practice: A Path to Becoming a Restorative Lawyer. We will assemble a small, purpose-driven group of just 15 legal professionals for an immersive 3-day retreat designed to radically reimagine the practice of law—from one rooted in conflict to one grounded in healing. Held in the serene, forested beauty of Elk River Inn & Cabins in Slatyfork, West Virginia, this all-inclusive experience will offer over 20 hours of continuing legal education (CLE) while creating space for deep reflection, practical training, and community building. This retreat is for lawyers ready to shift from burnout and adversarial norms toward a restorative approach that centers justice, connection, and well-being. Through workshops, guided discussion, movement, and nature-based integration, you'll leave with both the mindset and tools to lead systemic change—starting with your own practice. The program will also include two short online segments-both before and after the retreat.

• West Virginia Restorative Justice Project will be offering a number of programs in 2025 and 2026. On November 17, 2025, they will be hosting community-building circles throughout West Virginia. In March, 2026, they will host Kay Pranis for a circle training. To learn more visit wvrjp.org.