But after 12 years of custody litigation in Cook County, I’m building a low‑conflict, client‑support model and considering a full‑time mediator role; if you’ve made this jump, what training or credentials opened doors for you (e.g., 40‑hour mediation, AFCC), and did you keep a small docket during the transition? I’m determined to reduce harm for families while keeping income steady and would appreciate any concrete steps that made the shift workable.
In Cook, do the Center for Conflict Resolution 40‑hour and volunteer practicum, then add the DV module to qualify for the Domestic Relations roster; “40‑hour is table stakes” — the roster plus supervised cases is what opens doors (https://www.ccrchicago.org/training). I kept 2–3 low‑conflict matters and shifted the rest to flat‑fee consults until referrals started coming from judges and parenting coordinators — training wheels, but they work; have you applied for the roster yet?
AFCC-IL mentorship plus RSI’s court ADR roadmap open doors: https://www.aboutrsi.org. Small caveat: update malpractice for mediation.
I set two half‑days a week as mediation‑only, offered a flat‑fee “two sessions + MSA draft” package, and capped litigation at three files; pairing Collaborative Divorce Illinois training with a brief parenting‑coordination course made judges and therapists send me work — @d_gibbs23 did coffees with therapists move the needle more than bar events for you?