The discussion I posted on LinkedIN has taken on a life of its own. I strongly encourage you to take a look by using this link: LinkedIN (http://www.linkedin.com/home?trk=hb_tab_home)
There was one comment from a very well know, very well respected (NON-ATTORNEY) mediator whom most of you have probably used, and was my instructor at Pepperdine University: Lee Jay Berman.
In response to the discussion question: Should a Mediator Also Be An Attorney?, Lee Jay wrote…
Should a school teacher also be a licensed child psychologist? It might help. Shouldn’t all police officers be required to be certified as mediators? All sports writers should be former athletes. Oh, and all weather reporters should be descendants of mother nature. Shouldn’t all business consultants hold a CPA license? In fact, shouldn’t everyone have a license of some kind? Shouldn’t the government, or better yet, some self-appointed body, decide who should get to do what? And everyone without a license should be relegated to farming and manual labor.
p.s. did you ever notice that the people who are debating this at all of your mediation conferences are probably not the ones out making six figures by actually being mediators?
It’s like one of those perfect Hallmark Cards…there’s nothing else to say except Amen. Thank you Lee Jay!
Have a wonderful weekend.
Seth J. Davis, Mediator
seth@adjmediator.com
Adjmediator's Blog 
#1 by Lee Jay Berman on March 13, 2010 - 7:20 am
Seth, you are too kind. I thought the question was, well, frustrating. I’m glad that you posed it because clearly it was a discussion that many felt the desire to have. Just not me. It’s very simple for me: I am a commercial mediator for 16 year and I’ve mediated some 1,400 cases with a resolution rate that is over 90% in recent years and I’m not an attorney. So to me, the question is moot. Just as it is in your case. You are a skilled and highly qualified mediator and all it takes is people working with you one time for them to know that your question is moot.
Be well and keep up the good work!
Lee Jay