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Mediators in California

1,438 mediators in California listed from official court and government rosters, for divorce and family mediation, civil cases and more. Every profile links to its source.

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California mediators by county

Counties with the most listings

All 35 counties

How it works

  1. 1. Find a certified mediator near youSearch by city, ZIP or county. Court-verified listings come only from official court and government rosters.
  2. 2. Compare profiles and callCheck certifications, languages and the source for each listing, then call or send a request.
  3. 3. Resolve it without going to courtA mediator helps you both talk it through and reach your own agreement.

How does mediation work in California?

Sources · last reviewed 2026-10-07

  • Court programs and when mediation is required

    In California, courts and others offer mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences and neutral evaluation to help resolve civil disputes without a trial [1]. ADR programs for civil cases are run by each superior court, and the Judicial Branch links to each county's program [2]. When a general civil case is filed, the court must provide an ADR information package describing its programs, and the plaintiff must serve it on each defendant with the complaint [3]. Neutrals on a court list must agree to follow ethics rules and to take at least one pro bono or modest-means case a year if asked [4]. Parties can still pick a mediator who is not on the court's list [4].

  • Who can mediate in California courts

    Rather than relying on one statewide certification, a superior court that keeps a list of mediators or appoints mediators in general civil cases must set its own minimum qualifications [4].

Summarized from the official sources cited in brackets. Last reviewed 2026-10-07. Court programs change; confirm with your court. This is general information, not legal advice.

Civil lawsuits & business (1387)Arbitrators (694)Probate, estates & elder care (610)Workplace & employment (558)Divorce mediation in California (115)Divorce mediation attorneys (34)Small claims & county court (14)
1,438 listed
1,438 listedSorted: paid placements (labeled) first, then most complete profile, then A–Z

Mediators who work online with California clients

These mediators say they work with California clients online. They are on other states’ official rosters (shown on each listing), not California’s. Where they serve is their own statement. Sorted: placements first (paid ones are labeled), then most complete profile.

Court-ordered case? Courts may require a mediator from their own approved list for court-ordered cases. Check your court’s rules, or see how mediation works in California.

Court-connected mediation in California: California superior courts that keep a civil mediator list set their own qualifications; parties may agree on a mediator not on the list. Court-connected child custody mediators have statewide training requirements.

Private mediation in California: No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed. California's out-of-state attorney rule (rule 9.43) covers arbitration only; no rule on out-of-state or online mediators was found.

Sources: Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.781 - Court-related ADR neutrals · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.210 - Court-connected child custody mediation · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.215 - Domestic violence protocol for Family Court Services · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.43 - Out-of-state attorney arbitration counsel · partly verified

Search online mediators for California · Online mediators in every state

Other mediators on California rosters, A–Z (129)

California mediators in numbers

Real counts from the official rosters behind this directory. Each chart has a data table and a shareable image.

California: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed

California: the 10 counties with the most mediators listedSanta Clara County has the most mediators listed in California (454), followed by Los Angeles County (172). Counts use each mediator's home county on the roster. Santa Clara County: 454; Los Angeles County: 172; San Francisco County: 137; Orange County: 90; Alameda County: 73; San Mateo County: 71; Fresno County: 38; Contra Costa County: 28; Marin County: 25; San Joaquin County: 25.Santa Clara County: 454 mediatorsSanta Clara County454Los Angeles County: 172 mediatorsLos Angeles County172San Francisco County: 137 mediatorsSan Francisco County137Orange County: 90 mediatorsOrange County90Alameda County: 73 mediatorsAlameda County73San Mateo County: 71 mediatorsSan Mateo County71Fresno County: 38 mediatorsFresno County38Contra Costa County: 28 mediatorsContra Costa County28Marin County: 25 mediatorsMarin County25San Joaquin County: 25 mediatorsSan Joaquin County25

Santa Clara County has the most mediators listed in California (454), followed by Los Angeles County (172). Counts use each mediator's home county on the roster.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-09.

Show data table
California: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed
CategoryMediators
Santa Clara County454
Los Angeles County172
San Francisco County137
Orange County90
Alameda County73
San Mateo County71
Fresno County38
Contra Costa County28
Marin County25
San Joaquin County25
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California: certifications and court panels

California: certifications and court panelsThe most common listing is Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators/neutral evaluators/arbitrators) (549 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 1,438 people listed. Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators/neutral evaluators/arbitrators): 549; U.S. Dist. Ct. C.D. Cal. Mediation Panel (General Order 11-10): 237; U.S. Dist. Ct. N.D. Cal. ADR Mediation panel: 185; Contra Costa Sup. Ct. ADR Panel - Mediators: 95; San Mateo Sup. Ct. Multi-Option ADR Project (MAP) Civil ADR Panel: 70; Orange County Sup. Ct. Judicial Arbitration Panel (Civil Arbitrator List): 59; Fresno Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Mediation Panel: 57; Other (40 more certifications or panels): 399.Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators/neutral evaluators/arbitrators): 549 mediatorsSanta Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators…549U.S. Dist. Ct. C.D. Cal. Mediation Panel (General Order 11-10): 237 mediatorsU.S. Dist. Ct. C.D. Cal. Mediation Panel (General Order 11-…237U.S. Dist. Ct. N.D. Cal. ADR Mediation panel: 185 mediatorsU.S. Dist. Ct. N.D. Cal. ADR Mediation panel185Contra Costa Sup. Ct. ADR Panel - Mediators: 95 mediatorsContra Costa Sup. Ct. ADR Panel - Mediators95San Mateo Sup. Ct. Multi-Option ADR Project (MAP) Civil ADR Panel: 70 mediatorsSan Mateo Sup. Ct. Multi-Option ADR Project (MAP) Civil ADR…70Orange County Sup. Ct. Judicial Arbitration Panel (Civil Arbitrator List): 59 mediatorsOrange County Sup. Ct. Judicial Arbitration Panel (Civil Ar…59Fresno Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Mediation Panel: 57 mediatorsFresno Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Mediation Panel57Other (40 more certifications or panels): 399 mediatorsOther (40 more certifications or panels)399

The most common listing is Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators/neutral evaluators/arbitrators) (549 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 1,438 people listed.

Certification and panel names are as the roster states them.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-09.

Show data table
California: certifications and court panels
CategoryMediators
Santa Clara Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Provider Database (mediators/neutral evaluators/arbitrators)549
U.S. Dist. Ct. C.D. Cal. Mediation Panel (General Order 11-10)237
U.S. Dist. Ct. N.D. Cal. ADR Mediation panel185
Contra Costa Sup. Ct. ADR Panel - Mediators95
San Mateo Sup. Ct. Multi-Option ADR Project (MAP) Civil ADR Panel70
Orange County Sup. Ct. Judicial Arbitration Panel (Civil Arbitrator List)59
Fresno Sup. Ct. Civil ADR Mediation Panel57
Other (40 more certifications or panels)399
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California: languages other than English

California: languages other than EnglishSpanish is the most common language other than English (20 mediators). Only languages listed on the roster are counted; many rosters leave this field blank. Spanish: 20; French: 4; (s): French: 2; Farsi: 2; German: 2; N/A: 2; (s): Cantonese: 1; (s): German, French: 1; (s): Hindi: 1; (s): Loong-Du: 1; Other (12 more languages): 12.Spanish: 20 mediatorsSpanish20French: 4 mediatorsFrench4(s): French: 2 mediators(s): French2Farsi: 2 mediatorsFarsi2German: 2 mediatorsGerman2N/A: 2 mediatorsN/A2(s): Cantonese: 1 mediators(s): Cantonese1(s): German, French: 1 mediators(s): German, French1(s): Hindi: 1 mediators(s): Hindi1(s): Loong-Du: 1 mediators(s): Loong-Du1Other (12 more languages): 12 mediatorsOther (12 more languages)12

Spanish is the most common language other than English (20 mediators). Only languages listed on the roster are counted; many rosters leave this field blank.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-09.

Show data table
California: languages other than English
CategoryMediators
Spanish20
French4
(s): French2
Farsi2
German2
N/A2
(s): Cantonese1
(s): German, French1
(s): Hindi1
(s): Loong-Du1
Other (12 more languages)12
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California: attorney and non-attorney mediators

California: attorney and non-attorney mediators309 of 1,438 mediators listed in California (21%) have a roster background that lists them as an attorney. Mediators act as neutrals and don't represent either side. Roster background lists them as an attorney: 309; Other background or not stated: 1,129.Roster background lists them as an attorney: 309 mediatorsRoster background lists them as an attorney309Other background or not stated: 1,129 mediatorsOther background or not stated1,129

309 of 1,438 mediators listed in California (21%) have a roster background that lists them as an attorney. Mediators act as neutrals and don't represent either side.

Not every roster records a mediator's background, so “not stated” includes attorneys whose roster doesn't say.

Source: Counted from official court and government rosters (source and verified date on every profile); latest roster check 2026-10-09.

Show data table
California: attorney and non-attorney mediators
CategoryMediators
Roster background lists them as an attorney309
Other background or not stated1,129
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How to become a mediator in California: training and requirements →

Know before you go: California mediation FAQ

How do California courts use mediation, and when is it required?

In California, courts and others offer mediation, arbitration, settlement conferences and neutral evaluation to help resolve civil disputes without a trial [1]. ADR programs for civil cases are run by each superior court, and the Judicial Branch links to each county's program [2]. When a general civil case is filed, the court must provide an ADR information package describing its programs, and the plaintiff must serve it on each defendant with the complaint [3]. Neutrals on a court list must agree to follow ethics rules and to take at least one pro bono or modest-means case a year if asked [4]. Parties can still pick a mediator who is not on the court's list [4].

Sources: Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – Judicial Branch of California · Court ADR Programs – Judicial Branch of California · California Rules of Court, rule 3.221 · California Rules of Court, rule 10.781

Who can be a court mediator in California?

Rather than relying on one statewide certification, a superior court that keeps a list of mediators or appoints mediators in general civil cases must set its own minimum qualifications [4].

Source: California Rules of Court, rule 10.781

Does a court-ordered case in California need a mediator from the court's list?

California superior courts that keep a civil mediator list set their own qualifications; parties may agree on a mediator not on the list. Court-connected child custody mediators have statewide training requirements.

Sources: Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.781 - Court-related ADR neutrals · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.210 - Court-connected child custody mediation · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.215 - Domestic violence protocol for Family Court Services · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.43 - Out-of-state attorney arbitration counsel · partly verified

Can I use a private or online mediator from another state for a California matter?

No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed. California's out-of-state attorney rule (rule 9.43) covers arbitration only; no rule on out-of-state or online mediators was found.

Sources: Cal. Rules of Court, rule 10.781 - Court-related ADR neutrals · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.210 - Court-connected child custody mediation · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 5.215 - Domestic violence protocol for Family Court Services · Cal. Rules of Court, rule 9.43 - Out-of-state attorney arbitration counsel · partly verified

Answers come only from the official sources cited. General information, not legal advice.

Court and community mediation programs in California

Programs and centers named on official court or agency lists. These are organizations, not individual mediators; contact them for eligibility and fees.

Official links and sources for California

Official links

Sources cited above

  1. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) – Judicial Branch of California
  2. Court ADR Programs – Judicial Branch of California
  3. California Rules of Court, rule 3.221
  4. California Rules of Court, rule 10.781

Last reviewed 2026-10-07.