Effective family mediation requires far more than bringing people together and encouraging compromise. Mediators must create a safe and productive process, manage attorneys and emotionally charged clients, identify the interests beneath entrenched positions, and make sound judgment calls throughout the mediation—from the first intake conversation through the final written agreement. In this practical, skills-based workshop, experienced family law mediators Christina Zavell, Shane Marx, and Christina Miller will guide participants through the full lifecycle of a divorce or family mediation. The presenters will address preparation and intake, screening for safety concerns and conflict dynamics, setting expectations with counsel and clients, structuring the mediation session, using caucus strategically, managing strong emotions and power imbalances, reality testing, working through impasse, and keeping negotiations moving when the parties become stuck. The workshop will also explore the practical and ethical challenges mediators regularly face, including maintaining neutrality while actively managing the process, building credibility with both parties, communicating effectively with counsel, recognizing when settlement pressure becomes counterproductive, and documenting agreements clearly enough to reduce future conflict. Drawing from their combined experience, the presenters will share techniques, examples, and lessons learned that participants can immediately apply in their own cases. Designed for newer and developing mediators—as well as experienced professionals who want to sharpen their approach—this session will help attendees conduct mediation with greater structure, confidence, professionalism, and effectiveness.