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Second District Mediation Program for Attorneys | State of Illinois Office of the Illinois Courts

The Appellate Mediation Pilot Program – Attorney Information

Welcome to the Illinois Second District Appellate Court’s Mediation Pilot Program! Attorneys are an essential part of the program. Please take the time to review the information below prior to representing any party in this program. If you have any questions, please contact the Court.

 The appeal of volunteering as a mediation advocate:

This program provides a great opportunity for attorneys to gain experience in an appellate mediation setting. Specific benefits of volunteering as a mediation advocate include:

  • Strengthen Your Advocacy Skills. Enhance your mediation advocacy skills while benefiting from the guidance of the Court and an experienced mediator.
  • Limited Scope Representation. Make a meaningful contribution to an appellate case without taking on the entire appeal. Representation is limited to the approximately 60-day mediation process.
  • Expand Access to Justice. Provide legal assistance from anywhere in Illinois to a litigant in need while helping them explore an agreeable resolution to their case.
  • Free CLE. Receive two hours of complimentary CLE to prepare you to serve as a volunteer appellate mediation advocate.
  • Recognition for Your Service. Receive an invitation to the annual Court reception celebrating you and other contributors to the Program.

 Program basics:

  • Program Rule 401 Rule describing the Appellate Mediation Pilot Program for Civil Appeals by Self-Represented Litigants.
  • Attorney Training Necessary training for attorneys to participate in the program.
  • Attorney Application Application for attorneys to participate in the program.

 Important documents:

 Resources for further review:

General information.

Sample letters.