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How results are ordered

By default, results are sorted by Best match: first the mediators who fit your type of case, then those closer to you, then those with more complete profiles. Mediators who tie on all of that are shuffled once a day. Nobody wins a tie because of their name, and no one can pay to change this order. Paid placements are shown separately and labeled.

Best match, step by step

Each step only decides between mediators who tied on every step before it.

  1. Your type of case. Mediators whose own profile lists your exact type of case (for example, elder care or HOA disputes) come first. That list is their own statement. Next come mediators whose court certification covers it. Last come mediators with a related certification (see below).
  2. Court-verified first. Listings confirmed on an official court roster come before listings whose credentials we reviewed some other way (labeled “Credentials reviewed”).
  3. Distance, but only when it makes a real difference. If you give a location, mediators within about 10 miles come first, then those 10–25 miles away, then 25–60 miles, then everyone farther. Within each band, distance doesn’t change the order. That’s because our distances run between city or county centers (U.S. Census), so everyone in the same city is about the same distance from you.
  4. Profile completeness. Claimed profiles that are more complete come first. Complete means a photo, a bio, fees, availability, how they meet and the cases they handle. Then come unclaimed listings that show a website or phone number, then listings that show neither. The plan a mediator pays for (Free, Pro or Featured) is not part of this step.
  5. A fair daily rotation. Mediators who are still tied are shuffled in a new order each day (U.S. Eastern time). Over time, everyone gets a turn near the top.

We plan to add two more signals to step 4 once we have real data for them: measured response time to requests sent through MediationList, and verified reviews. They won’t count until then, and we’ll update this page when they do.

Paid placement

In each county, up to 3 Featured members per practice area appear above the other results, labeled “Featured · Paid placement.” This applies whatever sort you choose. In each state’s online section, up to 3 Featured spots are labeled the same way. Paying never changes a mediator’s certification details or their place in the Best match order.

Other ways to sort

When nobody nearby lists your type of case

Court rosters list certification types (for example, Family or Circuit Civil in Florida), not every kind of dispute. If nobody in your area has listed your exact type of case, we say so. Then we show mediators with a related certification for the court cases those disputes usually become. For example, for elder care in Florida we show Family and civil (Circuit Civil or County) mediators, and for HOA disputes we show County Court and Circuit Civil mediators. A related certification doesn’t mean the mediator specializes in your type of case, so ask them about their experience. You can also use Get matched and we’ll find mediators who handle it.

Your privacy

The order doesn’t depend on who you are. We don’t use your browsing history or a profile of you. Only your search, your filters and your chosen location count.

Also see our editorial policy and data sources. Last updated October 10, 2026.