Atlanta’s John Marshall Law School (AJMLS) has reaffirmed its partnership with the DeKalb County Magistrate Court to support the court’s Mediation Program. Established in 2020 by Chief Magistrate Judge Berryl A. Anderson and Dr. Bridgett Ortega, the program exclusively involves AJMLS students and alumni as court-appointed mediators to help resolve small claims disputes.
The mediation service is available for all parties involved in small claims civil cases within the Magistrate Court’s jurisdictional limit of $15,000 or less. Cases scheduled on the mediation calendar require parties to attempt mediation before proceeding to trial. Sessions are conducted virtually, with trained mediators facilitating discussions and helping participants explore possible solutions without issuing rulings or offering legal or financial advice. Agreements reached through mediation are documented and submitted to the court for approval; unresolved matters move forward to trial.
All mediators in this initiative are drawn from AJMLS students and alumni who have completed training and registration through the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. This provides participants with guidance from individuals who have received specialized training while also giving future legal professionals practical experience in dispute resolution.
Currently, 13 AJMLS students and alumni serve as mediators for the court. Since its inception, a total of 22 mediators and about 20 observers—who must complete ten observations for certification—have participated in the program.
Initially, between 2021 and 2022, AJMLS piloted an asynchronous platform with a group of four to seven students, processing around 220 consent judgments and 120 dismissals. After facing engagement challenges and technical issues, the program shifted to a real-time virtual platform in 2023. Since then, outcomes have increased: during 2023–2024, a total of 1,476 cases were resolved via consent judgments and dismissals; in just the first quarter of 2025 alone, another 293 cases reached final resolution.
For students interested in becoming mediators, job postings—including contact information, interview dates, and training details—are available on the school’s career platform, 12Twenty. Alumni can find similar opportunities posted on both 12Twenty and through communications from the Alumni Office.
The Office of Career Services and Professional Development coordinates involvement for both students and alumni interested in joining the program.
Alumna Whitnie Riden currently serves as a mediator. She commented: “The program has helped show me how many issues can be resolved via mediation, and mediation is a beneficial and cost effective option for all parties involved. When used effectively, mediation can help avoid the costly and lengthy litigation process. It is a tool a party and/or attorney should consider in their own respective case, and one might be surprised at the outcome.”
The partnership aims to benefit both DeKalb County residents by providing accessible alternatives to litigation as well as AJMLS community members by offering hands-on professional experience. The collaboration supports AJMLS’s mission of preparing practice-ready lawyers committed to community service by involving its students and graduates directly in public conflict resolution efforts.