“You will learn a new language! You will never communicate the same way as you communicated before!” Hafsah Mansoori remembers the words she was told the day before her first day of Community Mediation Maryland’s Basic Mediation Training. Mansoori is the ninth Ronna K. Jablow Mediation Fellow. Established in 2017, the Ronna K. Jablow Mediation Fellowship supports a Maryland Carey Law student to spend the summer working with Community Mediation Maryland (CMM), seeing conflicts and social challenges through the lens of community mediation movement.
Mansoori’s experience this summer connected her legal education with community-based dispute resolution. From the first day Mansoori was welcomed, “The moment I walked through the doors, I was greeted with warm smiles and enthusiastic hellos from the employees. The first thing that struck me was how genuinely welcoming everyone was. From the volunteers to the executive director, they all took the time to introduce themselves and make me feel at ease.”
The fellowship began with an intensive training program where Mansoori learned about the mediation process, communication techniques, negotiation strategies, and ethical considerations from experienced trainers. The training provided the opportunity to practice and role play skills. One of the most fulfilling projects for Mansoori was completing trademark and copyright research to ensure the integrity of CMM’s mediation training. Her research raised awareness of key issues and connected the organization with trademark attorneys.
Beyond the technical skills, the fellowship fosters personal growth. Mediation requires empathy, active listening, and patience. Mansoori likens her summer as a Jablow Fellow, to learning a new language. “I have become more cognizant of the words I choose when I speak to people, especially in times of conflict, to ensure I have meaningful conversations. I not only gained practical skills but also a deeper appreciation for the role of mediation in promoting peaceful conflict resolution and the importance of empathy in resolving disputes. I learned to navigate challenging conversations, manage emotions, and facilitate productive discussions. These skills will not only be valuable in mediation but also in any area of my legal career.”
The Center for Dispute Resolution and members of Ronna Jablow’s family, Matt Jablow and Sam and Marcia Kublanow, received the 2023 Bridge Builder Award from Community Mediation Maryland. This annual award recognizes individuals and organizations for their efforts in furthering and embodying the community mediation movement. In bestowing the award, Leslie Overholser, deputy director of Community Mediation Maryland, remarked “Through the fellowship, CMM has developed lasting relationships with exceptional students, changing Maryland one law student at a time.”