We love to read the Edwards Mediation Academy reviews and testimonials on our courses and Bruce Edwards’ trainings. We appreciate you taking the time to write about your experiences and are thrilled that you find the courses informative, knowledgeable and insightful!
I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed the course and how valuable I thought it was. I especially liked what Bruce had to say about the importance of emotion, forgiveness and apology in resolving disputes, and how joint sessions can be useful in helping parties process their feelings and move beyond the trauma of the conflict. His insights (and those of EMA’s experts – another feature I loved!!) prompted me to reflect on one of my early mediations – a bitter and ugly business divorce. We settled the dispute after a marathon session, but it was clear the parties still had a lot of residual anger and frustration towards each other. The lawyers did not want them together in the same room, and I didn’t press the issue, but sure enough, in the weeks following the mediation, as the lawyers were negotiating the long-form agreement, the settlement fell apart and the plaintiff ended up firing his lawyers and hiring someone even more aggressive. Perhaps there’s nothing more I could have done, but after taking this course, I now wish I had pushed harder for the parties to meet face-to-face and try to make amends. Doing so might have helped them realize why the settlement was truly in their best interest and might have prompted them to make the necessary concessions during the negotiation of the long form to salvage the settlement they’d reached in principle.
I found the Edwards Mediation Academy to be immensely valuable. The Academy structure, wherein the skills taught in the course are taught one-at-a-time in modules, and each skill is modeled through the example of a fictional (but highly realistic) case that is mediated by Bruce Edwards, was excellent. Bruce brings both a legal and psychological orientation to mediation, and his approach to understanding the parties' psychological needs gives the Academy a depth that probably is unique among such programs. Finally, the Academy draws on the experiences of many well-known and highly experienced mediators, and this also adds to the breadth and depth of the Academy's lessons.
The shadowing experience with Bruce as the mediator in Garcia v. Golden Acres was highly valuable and insightful. Observing the mediation process in a real case provided practical exposure to how theoretical principles are applied in practice. Bruce demonstrated professionalism, patience, and strong communication skills throughout the session. His ability to manage the parties’ emotions, maintain neutrality, and guide the discussion toward constructive dialogue was particularly instructive. The experience deepened my understanding of mediator techniques, including active listening, reframing, and facilitating problem-solving. Overall, the shadowing opportunity significantly enhanced my practical understanding of the mediation process. .
Absolutely exceeded my objectives ... Having mediated cases hundreds of times in my career, I found the shadowing experience very accurate – it didn't feel staged. That is what a real mediation looks like. The expert videos were incredibly helpful in that the experts gave war stories, which helped tie things together ... I was already familiar with mediation in general, having mediated for over 20 years as counsel ... As I completed the “Try Its,” I found little gems of knowledge and information that quite frankly I had not thought of before…
Overall, the course was well delivered, and the instructor(s) exceeded expectations in both teaching effectiveness and subject expertise. I would highly recommend both the expert(s) and the course to anyone looking to deepen their knowledge in this area. The shadowing experience deepened my practical understanding of the mediation process, particularly in how a skilled mediator can guide disputants toward mutual understanding and resolution. It was a privilege to observe Bruce in action, and I gained both practical insights and inspiration from his approach. The expert videos in the course were highly informative and well-produced. Each video demonstrated clear structure and purpose, making it easy to follow the content and stay engaged throughout. The experts communicated complex concepts in a simple and relatable manner, using practical examples and real-world scenarios that added depth to the learning.
Outstanding! Far exceeded my expectations! Having studied negotiation since law school, the module that made the most impression on me was the module on Apology and Forgiveness. These are concepts totally foreign to traditional law practice which holds a tight-lipped refusal to acknowledge fault (or any shortcomings for that matter) sacrosanct. That element of genuine honesty had such a profound influence on me and my thinking that I consider teachings like this transformational....The chapter/module on Emotions was another outstanding module. That module points out that an overwhelming percentage of human behaviors are driven by emotions and that Mediators need to understand the emotional dynamics of any scenario. The experts in that module were all terrific! Excellent experience.
As a former trainee in Edwards Mediation Academy (EMA), my experience with the mediation training was truly excellent. What made it especially great was the combination of practical learning, expert facilitation, and a supportive environment. The sessions were highly interactive, allowing us to engage in real-life scenarios and hands on exercises that made the concepts easy to understand and apply. The Edwards Mediation Academy did exceptionally well in structuring the training (Modules) in a clear, organized, and professional manner. The facilitators demonstrated deep knowledge of mediation principles and ensured that every participant was actively involved. They created a safe space for open discussion, questions, and constructive feedback, which greatly enhanced the learning experience. I also appreciated the balance between theory and practice. The materials were well-prepared, relevant, and directly applicable to real-world situations. Overall, the training strengthened my confidence and practical skills in mediation. I highly recommend EMA to anyone seeking high-quality, professional mediation training.
Excellent all the way around. Well designed, well presented, and comprehensive. One of the reasons I chose this course was the support that was provided to me outside of the material. I found everyone to have been really responsive and kind….They all were excellent. Bruce and every single speaker, role player, topic was relevant, well laid out, and made easy to understand. the filmed mediation, Garcia vs. Golden Acres, was really well done. It only made me want to become a mediator more, and begin shadowing as many conferences as I can. I really, really liked the lessons and principles being placed in the broader context of life and relationships; I think there is benefit and value beyond learning the mediation process.
The course is very well structured, informative and gives a good understanding of mediation skills. Bruce Edwards was exceptional…His explanations were not only grounded in theory but were also enriched with insights from his own professional experience. This gave me a solid foundation in the basic principles of mediation, and elicited a hunger to want to know more. Nina Meierding’s delivery of the Negotiation Techniques module was enlightening. Her teaching effectiveness stemmed from her ability to break down complex negotiation strategies into digestible and relatable components. Her ability to link negotiation theory with practical strategies and real-life applications made the content highly engaging. The shadowing experience undoubtedly illustrated the wealth of skills and knowledge taught throughout the modules and live sessions. It was interesting to experience a real-life scenario and feel as though I was a part of the proceedings. Definitely very enlightening.
The most valuable aspect for me has been the opportunity to gain knowledge and the chance to engage deeply with the provided materials. Initially, I was expecting a standard training session, but the course exceeded my expectations by offering an extensive and in-depth study of the subject matter...I also appreciate your individualized approach to each student and your support throughout this learning journey.
Bruce is very knowledgeable is mediation and very good at delivering the course. He not only trains you in the theories and skills of mediation but also gives you life time examples from his practice which jogs your memory to relate the course to your life time experiences. The course he has designed is unique in that it focuses on mediator skills. The other courses I have undertaken in mediation and arbitration focus on teaching the theories on the subject and do not focus on the participants examining their personal skills or their appropriateness is undertaking the profession. This course taught me not only to look at the parties and dispute before me but primarily to focus on examining myself with the intent of ensuring that I am appropriately armed with the skills of mediation to help the parties.
Let me show you my deep respect and gratitude - your course is brilliant! It gave me absolutely new perspectives of the mediational process and new points of focusing my attention on. It is an honor to me to be an EMA member and I will use this opportunity with pleasure. Our country going through the horrors of fascism in 21 century which is surrealistic and hard to believe even though we are right here now.......... Thank you for your support and willingness to help.
The introduction to the neurobiology of emotions, cognition, and memory was fascinating and critical in allowing me to fully embrace the role of emotions in everyday life, never mind mediation. The intersections between emotions on the one hand, and apology, communication, and culture on the other, came through well. The foundation laid in this module fed seamlessly into the importance of using emotions to discern the interests and needs of the parties during negotiation.
Very happy to be a permanent member of the Edwards Mediation Academy family. This wasn't just a mediation course , it was a life transformative journey I have decided to intentionally follow in my entire career.
This is one of the best professional courses I have undertaken. It has broadened my appreciation of mediation and bettered my adjudicating skills.
I can't find appropriate words to express my gratitude for Edwards Mediation Academy and the entire team. It is an honor and privilege to be an Alumn of EMA. I benefited from your support whenever I needed it; I was integrated into the program and enjoyed learning the technical skills. More importantly, this program changed my way of living in the community and my interactions with different people. I am a good learner; Edwards Mediation Academy has been my bridge to Euclid University. I was recently accredited as a Rwandan Court Mediator. I have undertaken my doctoral studies in mediation and conflict resolution at Euclid University (a United Nations Treaty-Based University )
For myself, I highlighted the module on negotiations and emotions - absolutely all the teachers are at the highest level, provided new skills and revealed questions that interest me.
I found all the modules interesting and an eye opener. The module on emotions was particularly interesting to me for my personal and professional growth. In all my 35 years as a legal practitioner only now do I appreciate the role emotions play in dispute resolution. From a personal perspective the modules has opened my eyes in dealing with emotions and understanding their place in personal and family relationships.
Attending the Mediation course at Edwards Mediation Academy was life-changing in many ways. As a peace and conflict studies researcher and practitioner, I find myself in mediation rooms and negotiation tables quite often, and very little can prepare you for the nebulous ways of a dispute and the parties involved. If you're a fan of the Harry Potter series, you must know what a gift it is to have a Marauder's Map. The Edwards Mediation Academy gives you the space, encouragement, and wisdom to help yourself in navigating the very dynamic universe of mediation through its well-crafted training modules, and the incomparable wisdom of seasoned mediators. It can be tricky to take a course online - but the team at Edwards is way ahead in its game: the promptness and empathy in their feedback loops, and the guidance they offer make it one of the most beautiful courses to take.
It has been an excellent course! Very professionally created with the right amount of reading- listening which I usually find challenging in most online courses, being a kinesthetic learner. I gained so many valuable insights and I really enjoyed all the expert’s sharing of knowledge and experience! I have recommended this course to other people as well.
This course covers areas of mediation that are not evident when considering mediation as a career. It was very helpful to gain insight into my own judgments and truly reflect on what I have learned and need to work on to be a successful mediator. This course is a whole person approach, it helps you learn about yourself as a professional as well as on a personal level.
Having been to numerous mediation trainings in the past 7 years, I am not easily impressed; willing to learn, but sufficiently experienced to evaluate new approaches not skeptically but at least in the context of my own experience. As a trainer you stood out in at least two respects: first, the breadth of your knowledge which encompasses not only legal information but also a variety of types and depths of conflicts; second, your willingness to “watch and listen“—not impose your style or your technique or even your experience on us. You encouraged, challenged, and made suggestions—leaving us free to examine options and incorporate that which worked for us. Thoroughly enjoyed and benefited from working with you. Thank you.
Bruce’s training imparts the essence and spirit of mediation in a pure form. He encapsulates his several decades of experience, seamlessly and profoundly, into the 40 hours of training.
This is more than a course you take. When you attend you become a part of the Edwards Mediation Academy family and are treated as family. Bruce’s personal consultation phone call is eye opening as he offers great suggestions to be successful as well as listens to what you have to say professionally and personally as well. I will stay in touch throughout my career and will continually learn and check back often. I offer you a heartfelt thank you.
With his vast experience as a mediator, his insights and reflections on the subject and his wonderful communication skills, Bruce Edwards is truly a master trainer. Sharing a training platform with him was a privilege.
The most valuable aspects of the course were the ‘Bruce Moments’ … Bruce’s language was thoroughly an eye-opener.
Bruce’s training is marked by the immense experience he has in the practice of Mediation. He breaks down complex theories into life examples, making them familiar and easy to understand. The learning happens at a deep level. My practice has been enriched immensely by attending two of his training programs. I hope to participate in more of his programs in the future.
He is a remarkable educator, mediator and communicator and we are deeply appreciative of his contribution to our work.
… the great bunch of folks I spent last week with in the Mediating the Complex Case course at Pepperdine. That’s Bruce Edwards on the left and from whom we all learnt so much – Bruce is the real deal in high stakes mediation........Nowhere else that I know of can you get the type of insight into the specialist world of mediating complex cases (and for ‘complex’ read multi 15+ lawyered up parties; with insurance coverage issues; $ in the millions; and a line of experts and lawyers stretching the entire length of The Strip).
Bruce brings to the teaching table years of mediation experience primarily in the USA — yet with his depth of knowledge and range of exposure, his insights into mediation generally and internationally, are both instructive and relevant for mediation in India. I am glad I attended his teaching sessions and would readily recommend his stellar work.
Bruce Edwards is an excellent trainer in mediation skills and procedures. As a participant of one of his training courses, I gained much from his vast experience and obvious passion for the subject, which he imparts brilliantly. I have shadowed him during mediation and found him to be an adept and skillful mediator as well, who balances empathy with a healthy dose of realism and shows a clear understanding of the essential issues that would bring the parties closer to settling the dispute. I would recommend his mediation training courses wholeheartedly, without reservation.
Thanks for a most worthwhile day yesterday at the University of Maryland Law School. I have attended many programs over the years on all sorts of topics about mediation and I must say the program yesterday was as engaging and packed with useful information and tips as any I have ever attended. Great job and thanks.
