2025 TMCA Symposium

REGISTER NOW for TMCA’s 21st Annual Symposium!

Current Credential holders, please click here to login and register.

Non-Credential holders, please click here to complete our online registration form.

 

WHEN: Saturday, October 25, 2025, 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM (Registration and networking breakfast begin at 8:00 AM)

WHERE: The University of Texas at Austin, Joe C. Thompson Conference Center, 2405 Robert Dedman Drive, Austin, Texas 78712

 

We Are Back in Austin! (Both LIVE and Via Zoom!*)

As promised, our Symposium is hybrid once again! And, notably, the TMCA Board voted unanimously to extend the same registration fee for this hybrid Symposium as charged last year for Zoom only. To start off a day packed with skills-based sessions is the energetic Alan Bush to help keep us “in line,” ethically, followed by the ever-popular duo, Justice Lehrmann and Hon. John Coselli, with the latest from the SCOT along with a live Q&A. You won't want to miss our featured speaker, Rebekah Ratliff, a former commercial claims professional turned mediator. Her pre-lunch session, “Middleman Mindset and the Psychology of Negotiating,” promises to be both interactive and experiential. After lunch, Rebekah will be back with “Ethical Optics: Exploring the Mediator’s Role.” Renowned for her high-energy and engaging facilitation style, Kendria Taylor will then illuminate for us “The Reflective Mediator” and Mark Nair, seasoned innovator and AI expert, will round off the day with the latest on “How AI Is Transforming Mediation.” Hope to see you in Austin!

Please view our program brochure for additional details.

 

Early Bird Registration fees (paid by 10/3/25):

  • $100 for current Credential holders
  • $125 for non-Credential holders

Registration fees after 10/3/25:

  • $125 for current Credential holders
  • $150 for non-Credential holders

Please register by Friday, October 17th. Onsite registration only if space is available. Seating is limited to 200.

 

Presentations (6.5 hours [3 hours ethics] CLE Course No. 174283426)

  • The Ethical “Fine Line” in Mediation

Alan Bush

Negotiations can involve pressure, particularly when attorneys may not be carefully measuring their words. How far is too far to go to get that “sweet deal”? Ethically, that is. As mediators, we'll get a feel for how to better actively listen to the parties and attorneys who want to walk right up to the ethical line.

  • Latest from "The Supremes"

Justice Debra H. Lehrmann and Hon. John Coselli

Learn about the latest Texas cases affecting your mediation practice from Texas Supreme Court Justice Debra Lehrmann and her devoted sidekick, Judge John Coselli. This session will include a Q&A segment.

  • Middleman Mindset and the Psychology of Negotiating

Rebekah Ratliff

Join us for a walk inside the mind of a former commercial claims professional turned mediator and arbitrator. As mediators, we can employ psychology and psychodrama in reality-testing to help guide parties through negotiations to settlement. Gain insight on how to influence strategies at the negotiation table to empower different viewpoints and values that may more readily lead to resolution.

  • Ethical Optics: Exploring the Mediator's Role

Rebekah Ratliff

The art of negotiating is a process of strategically managed and conveyed information and two-way concessions, guided by the mediator—all while respecting the canons of self-determination, impartiality, and confidentiality. This interactive, experiential learning session will help mediators navigate the road to settlement while staying in their lane. Along the way, we will explore ethical questions frequently pondered, though seldom answered.

  • The Reflective Mediator: Promoting Partnership and Ownership in The Mediation Process

Kendria Taylor

Reflection is a powerful tool in mediation. It helps participants pause, reduce impulsive reactions, and engage in solution-focused thinking. By shedding light on perspectives, reflection fosters self-awareness. Through a social-emotional learning lens, you will learn to be reflective in the moment using four distinct question types. You’ll also learn how to deliver thoughtful, reflective feedback during separate meetings and apply the SARA model (Shock, Anger, Resistance, Acceptance) to support individuals through the emotional journey of mediation with greater patience and empathy.

  • How AI Is Transforming Mediation

        Mark Nair

Artificial intelligence is rapidly reshaping our world and the field of mediation is no exception. In this presentation, you will learn how AI can enhance a mediator’s preparation, communication, and even the creation of the MSA. Gain insights into ethical challenges as well as practical steps to integrate AI into mediation responsibly and effectively, all the while understanding how AI cannot replace human empathy, judgment, and emotional intelligence. 

 

Lodging

We have reserved a block of rooms at the DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Austin - University Area which is about a mile from the Conference Center. Our room rate is $216 per night and rooms are open for booking. The booking site may default to two nights, so be sure to edit the dates if you want to book one night. The hotel's address is 1617 N. I-35, Austin, TX 78702. Discounted self-parking at the hotel is $15 per day (includes one overnight).

 

Parking at the Thompson Conference Center

Complimentary parking is available on-site at TCC on a first-come, first-served basis in Lot 40, which is located at the intersection of Red River at Dean Keeton streets.

 

For questions about registration, please email symposium@txmca.org.

 

Is my registration refundable? Full refunds are provided through September 30. Refunds less a $20 handling fee are provided through October 11.

 

*Though we would love to connect with you in person, for those who would prefer to watch our Symposium online, we will simulcast all sessions via Zoom and record the Zoom version for later viewing by paid registrants.