Inside the Family Mediation Practicum: Real-World Experience for Law Students

Written By: Tommy Gugino

The Saltman Center for Conflict Resolution promotes hands-on learning in dispute resolution.  Students enrolled in the Community Law Practicum – Family Mediation mediate real divorce and custody cases referred by the Clark County Family Court. Open to students who have completed Mediation Essentials or equivalent training, this two-credit course bridges theory and practice by placing students in the role of neutral mediators.

Participants engage directly with litigants and attorneys, guiding parties through conflict toward potential resolution—whether at the start of litigation or just before trial. Mediation sessions are held weekly, in person at Family Court or virtually via Zoom, and students commit about six hours per week, including written assignments,case preparation, and debriefing.

“The real-life situations encountered in mediation are unique and truly test your ability to build rapport, de-escalate tempers, and use techniques to reach agreements,” said Abigail Medina (’25), who completed the course in both fall and spring. “The skills I’ve gained will help me build strong client-attorney relationships in my future career.”

For Shahana Polselli (’27), the most valuable part was “helping parties come to a resolution.” After working for a long time in family law firms as a paralegal, Polselli plans to continue using her skills as a mediator when she goes into law practice and works with her own clients..

The practicum provides students access to family law practice and a chance to work directly with real litigants.  Law students develop professional skills, including legal writing, oral communication, legal knowledge, and interpersonal interaction—making it a standout opportunity for students interested in alternative dispute resolution and direct client engagement. It also satisfies the ABA pro bono requirement and counts as a Professional Skills course.