robert d. benjamin, m.s.w., j.d.

Honored by the Assoc for Conflict Resolution (ACR) as the 2009 recipient of
"The John Haynes Distinguished Mediator Award." 
Being linked to John is gratifying both personally and professionally;  he was not only one of the primary architects of the field of conflict management but an artist in his own right.  To me, his brilliant and natural mediation style had the sweep of the brush strokes of great contemporary artist Jackson Pollock.  (The Beauty of Conflict: The Visual Arts, Theatre, Film and Conflict Management, CD Rom, Jan. 2009, see Resources & Publications)

Negotiation, Mediation and Conflict Mangagement consultation and services. 
Dealing with difficult  conflicts and disputes in a responsble,  street-smart, effective way.

Courses, Trainings, Teaching:
Negotiation and Mediation; Courses approved by ACR and regularly qualify for both CLE and CEU credit in most states.  All courses are subject to enrollment minimums and maximums.

Join me for a basic or advanced negotiation/mediation training course customized for your area or organization or one scheduled below.

"Benjamin's courses are first and foremost practical, they are also provocative, challenging, and enjoyable." "... One of the most intensive and highest quality learning experiences I have had. He offers rigorous, cutting-edge thinking with the delivery of a stand-up comedian."

BASIC TRAINING PROGRAMS 

Professional Grade Intensive Course. Basic Strategies, techniques, skills and applied theory useful for all mediators---family and divorce and business commercial.

5 day/40hrs design.   $1175.  Family, Divorce and Business Negotiation/Mediation of Disputes;  Approved/available for CLE/CEU credit.  Subject to enrollment.

• please contact me for dates

ADVANCED TRAINING PROGRAMS

1-3 day designs tailored to the specific concerns and issues of experienced practitioners or those who have completed a basic training.  Topics may include managing high conflict, dealing with impasse, power balance issues, creative problem solving, preparing effective memorandum of understanding, complex property/financial issues and working within the legal system. or a specific substantive dispute contexts, e.g. health care, workplace,  or advanced family/divorce issues.  A non-sponsored 2 day private course  $525.

PRIVATE CONSULTATION

Scheduled case consultations and practice support.   First hour free, $50 per hour thereafter.

Register for Courses by e-mail

Participation is limited. Group discounts are available, and special rates are available for participants who have previously taken basic training programs or aid in the organization of a course.    

Recent Articles 

see: complete list of articles

• "Kitsch, Camp, "Fairly Legal," and the Selling of Mediation,"  Feb 2011;   Now, after the debut of much hyped television program, “Fairly Legal,” that has stirred a remarkable amount of buzz---at least among professional mediators--- it might be a good time to consider the social and cultural significance and marketing value of such media events.
  
  
• "The Politics of Mediation:  Are We As Neutral As We Pretend:  A Rejoinder To Critics"  Jan, 2011;  Mediators and negotiators are, after all, human. Notwithstanding this startling observation, however, many mediators seem to feel that their claim to “neutrality’ is somehow contaminated if their professional work is brought close to any discussion of politics---even if 98% of politics involves negotiation.
  
  
•  "President Obama as "Negotiator in Chief:"  A Help or Hindrance to Professional Mediation Practice, "   Nov,  2010;   As President Obama negotiates his way through the myriad of difficult and complex issues, the public is observing his approach. Whether they see negotiation as the “cursed” process of the appeaser or sellout, as they have historically, or as an effective mode of conflict management that disposes people to negotiate or mediate difficulties in their own personal and business affairs, depends in large part on his example. This is a quick and dirty “arm chair” quarterbacking of his strategy--- or lack thereof.
  
  
• "Mediation is a Gamble:"  A Sobering Review and Critique of Home Mortgage Mediation Programs,"  Oct, 2010;  Home foreclosures have reached a crisis level nationwide, significantly contributing to a tepid economic recovery. For perhaps the first time in history, mediation has been systematically employed in an innovative attempt to manage some parts of this crisis. Early reviews are, however, mixed. Gretchen Mortgenson, a well regarded business reporter for the New York Times wrote an article critical of the process as it is being done in Nevada, one of the hardest hit states. This article examines the professional and ethical issues and concerns by mediators practicing in large scale mediation programs.

Resources & Publications  

PDF on CD Rom: 
The Beauty of Conflict:  The Visual Arts, Theatre, Film and Conflict Management, 2009. 

PDF on CD Rom: 
The Guerrilla Negotiator: Effective Strategies for Reaching Agreement and the Mediation of Conflict. The Collected Writings of Robert D. Benjamin, 1990-2004, Vol. 1, 2004.

PDF on CD Rom: 
Effective Negotiation and Mediation of Conflict: Applied Theory and Practice Handbook. Ninth edit, copyright 2004 (300 p).