NCRC seeks to improve the lives of Nashville area residents, particularly those in under-served communities or otherwise disadvantaged in the judicial system, by providing a broad range of no- or low-cost mediation services and teaching effective, non-violent conflict resolution skills.

Mediation is a private, confidential, and voluntary process that allows participants to settle their own conflicts. Any type of conflict may be resolved through mediation as long as the participants are willing to communicate with one another aided by a trained, impartial third person – a mediator.

Types of Conflicts Suitable for Mediation

Accident

Business-Business

Community

Consumer-Merchant

Construction

Contracts

Debt Collection

Employment

Environmental

Family

Landlord-Tenant

Neighbor-Neighbor

Personal Injury

Property

Subrogation

Victim-Offender

Benefits of Mediation

Effective

Studies show that more than 80% of all mediations end in agreement. Studies also show that more defendants abide by agreements that they helped to create than agreements that are imposed upon them.

Private & Confidential

Unlike court, mediation happens behind closed doors and therefore is more private. To encourage the free exchange of information, all mediation sessions are kept confidential in any subsequent civil trial. This means that no one can reveal in court what is said or done in mediation, and the mediator cannot be compelled to testify in court.

Voluntary

Your participation in mediation is voluntary. Any participant or the mediator may stop the mediation session at any time for any reason. If you choose not to settle in mediation, you do not lose your option to go to court.

You stay in control

You always will know more about your conflict and what works best for you than anyone else. During mediation, the mediator helps you to work together with the other participants to find a creative, fair resolution. You get to decide what is fair and best for you instead of a judge deciding for you. You have flexibility that the judge does not have.

Legally binding Settlement Agreement

Every mediated settlement agreement is recorded in a written, detailed, and signed document. The agreement may be written as a private contract or an agreed judgment of the court, if applicable. Both types of agreements may be used as evidence in court to prove the existence of the agreement or to enforce its terms.

Protect your credit

When a court orders a judgment against you, credit-reporting agencies automatically add that judgment to your credit report. The judgment may remain on your credit report up to seven years and cause you difficulty when renting an apartment, buying a car or house, or doing anything that requires good credit. An agreed judgment may be less damaging to your credit than a judgment ordered against you by the court, and a private contract does not show up on your credit report at all.

Learn and use mediation skills to help disputants resolve their conflicts themselves. NCRC mediators work with Nashville’s courts, businesses, and residents to achieve resolution in a variety of civil, family, and victim-offender conflicts. NCRC also offers bilingual mediation for Spanish – speakers. Rule 31 mediators are encouraged to inquire.

Volunteer Mediator Positions
NCRC-Certified & Apprentice Mediators volunteer their time to mediate in NCRC’s General Sessions Court program and occasionally receive referrals for sliding-scale mediations (civil and family). NCRC’s Basic Conflict Resolution & Mediation Training typically is required to volunteer (fee waiver is available with executed service contract). All Volunteer Mediators must complete program-specific training as well. To apply for the NCRC Volunteer Mediator position, candidates must complete the Mediator Information Form and Mediator Classification Instrument (2 pages), if applicable, and follow submission requirements on the last page of the Mediator Information Form. Upon receipt of the materials, NCRC staff will contact you to discuss your application. NCRC Volunteer Mediators generally make a service commitment of twelve months after an apprenticeship and certification.

Volunteer Mediator Application
MCI’s Role of Mediator
MCI’s Problem Definition

For more information, call (615) 242-9272 or e-mail mediation@nashbar.org

With your help, we can make Nashville even better!

NCRC, a Tennessee nonprofit corporation, began as an outreach effort of the Nashville Bar Association. In the past, NCRC has relied on the generous support of private individuals, corporations, and grant foundations, including The Frist Foundation, The Memorial Foundation, Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the National Association for Community Mediation.

Membership in the NBA is open to any attorney admitted to practice in the highest jurisdiction of the state in which he or she is licensed. We also have associate member status for law school students, paralegals and legal assistants. Membership dues for attorneys are $200 a year, a sliding fee schedule based on income is also available. Membership dues for paralegals are $75 and for law students, $40. Below are descriptions of the events, services and programs sponsored of the NBA. Click on the hypertext links for more information on particular programs.

JOINING THE NBA
Complete an online registration

Download PDF copy of the Nashville Bar Association’s Members Information publication – Programs & Services Catalog

Download PDF copy of the 2007 Law Student Section Membership Application

For more information or to have an application form mailed to you, please call 242-9272 or email Vicki Shoulders

NBA Attorney Directory

The essential guide to Davidson County attorneys. This useful directory is published annually and contains photos and addresses of Davidson County lawyers, firm lists, listings of attorneys by practice area, court information and general NBA information. To purchase a directory, call the NBA office at 242-9272.

/

Committee Support

NBA committees evaluate important bar or court-related issues. Staff is available to schedule and publicize committee meetings, to circulate material, and to docket agenda items for Board consideration.

/

Insurance Products for Attorneys

The Aon Attorneys’ Advantage program offers Nashville Bar Endorsed Professional Liability Insurance for Attorneys. For more information, call Melanie Crane at (615) 771-8170 or click here to visit the Aon Attorneys’ Advantage website

//

International Relations

Visit one of our sister cities in Caen, Normandy, France or Magdeburg, Germany or host an attorney from one of these cities in your home. Participants may receive CLE credit and an unforgettable experience.

/

Legislative and Governmental Relations

Staff and volunteer lobbyists represent positions of the NBA, as approved by the Board, before General Assembly, Metro Council, and Congress, as well as administrative and executive agencies. Efforts includes committee testimony, individual meetings, letter writing, drafting and negotiating.

/

Library

Complete collection of federal materials, national reporter system and Tennessee materials located at Nashville School of Law on Sidco Drive. This facility is open for research by practitioners during regular School of Law hours. For more information, call the Nashville School of Law at 256-3691.

/

Nashville Bar Journal

Essential information is provided in our monthly magazine with features, views from the bench, legal developments, history, sports, CLE schedule, and other articles of interest to lawyers. NBA members are invited to contribute articles and may place free classified advertisements.

/

Placement Service

Our full-service Placement office screens applicants, supplies resumes, arranges interviews and handles advertising for all office positions. We offer the lowest cost service in Nashville. Members receive additional discounts with still more savings for prompt payment. Call the NBA for help with your temporary and permanent placement needs.

/

Printing Service

We offer an outside printing service that is substantially below retail cost. Prints can be in black and white or full color, maximum 1,000 prints.

/

Proxima Ultra Light Projector

Our Proxima projector is available to rent and NBA members get a special discount. It’s great for all your PowerPoint presentations. Commercial equipment at less than commercial prices!

/

Video Transcription

Equipment provided for those who need to do video transcription. In some cases, a temporary employee is available to do transcription work.