Advocacy in Mediation: The Art of Representing a Client in Mediation

Effective client representation in mediation requires a unique set of skills and knowledge that differs significantly from traditional courtroom advocacy. In mediation, lawyers not only protect their clients’ interests but also help create conditions for constructive dialogue, the search for mutually acceptable solutions, and the achievement of sustainable agreements.

During this panel discussion, participants will explore the role of lawyers in mediation, approaches to supporting clients throughout the dispute resolution process, balancing advocacy with dialogue, and international experience in cooperation between lawyers and mediators. Special attention will be given to the skills legal professionals need for effective participation in mediation and the ways lawyers can contribute to the development of a culture of peaceful dispute resolution.

The panel will provide a platform for discussing modern approaches to client representation in mediation and the role of the legal profession in advancing alternative dispute resolution.

Event Information

Date: June 10, 2026

Time: 18:40–20:00 EEST (Kyiv, GMT+3)

Moderator

Oksana Yaremko - Associate Professor at the Department of Psychology and Social Work of the West Ukrainian National University, mediator, attorney, and member of the National Bar Association of Ukraine Committee on Mediation.

Speakers

Rimantas Simaitis - Professor, former Chair of the Mediation Experts Working Group of the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) of the Council of Europe.

Irakli Kandashvili - President of the Georgian Bar Association, former President of the Georgian Mediators Association, Professor, Doctor of Law.

Anna Shambold - attorney, mediator, arbitrator, and Professor of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) from California. Former Chair of the American Bar Association (ABA) Section of Dispute Resolution and current Policy Officer.

Yuna Potomkina - Partner at Asters, Head of the Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Practice, mediator, and negotiator.

Natalia Dotsenko - Deputy Chair of the National Bar Association of Ukraine Committee on Mediation, attorney, and mediator.

Who Will Benefit from the Event?

The panel will be valuable for attorneys, lawyers, mediators, law students, and everyone working in the field of dispute resolution.

Event Partner: Asters Law Firm.

The event is organized by the Ukrainian Academy of Mediation in partnership with the European Commission for the Efficiency of Justice (CEPEJ) and with the financial support of the European Union within the framework of the EU Project "CONSENT".