In a world grappling with the aftermath of COVID-19, the landscape of dispute resolution has undergone profound changes. As a mediator and founder of a technology platform built to help mediators launch their careers, I’ve seen firsthand the evolving challenges and opportunities in our field. Today, I firmly believe in the power and utility of mediation, more than ever before, as a critical solution to the legal system’s current strain.

The Growing Demand for Mediation

The pandemic has left a significant backlog of court cases, as public health concerns caused prolonged court closures and limited operations across the country. This backlog has made the traditional path to justice slow and cumbersome for many, compounding the stress and uncertainty for individuals already dealing with legal disputes. In this climate, alternative dispute resolution (ADR) methods like mediation have surged in necessity and popularity. Mediation offers a streamlined, efficient and often less adversarial path to resolution—a beacon of hope for those entangled in the sluggish grind of the backlogged judicial system.