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Mediators in Michigan

405 mediators in Michigan 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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Michigan mediators by county

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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 Michigan?

Sources · last reviewed 2026-10-08

  • Court programs and when mediation is required

    Michigan's Community Dispute Resolution Act creates a program offering conciliation, mediation and other voluntary dispute resolution as an alternative to court [1]. Community dispute resolution centers funded by State Court Administrator grants run it [2]. A court may refer the parties in a civil action to a funded center, but cannot require them to settle [3].

  • Family and custody cases

    Friend of the Court offices must offer dispute resolution for custody and parenting-time disputes under a plan that screens for domestic violence and other safety risks, and a court may order a party to meet with the provider [5]. If a protection order exists, a court generally may not send a contested domestic relations issue to mediation without a hearing first unless the protected party asks [6].

  • Who can mediate in Michigan courts

    Some circuits publish approved mediator lists: Kent and Calhoun counties (MCR 2.411) and Oakland County (MCR 3.216) [7][8][9].

  • Confidentiality

    Those communications are generally confidential [4].

Summarized from the official sources cited in brackets. Last reviewed 2026-10-08. Court programs change; confirm with your court. This is general information, not legal advice.

Civil lawsuits & business (304)Divorce mediation in Michigan (95)Arbitrators (26)Workplace & employment (24)Divorce mediation attorneys (19)Probate, estates & elder care (19)
405 listed
405 listedSorted: paid placements (labeled) first, then most complete profile, then A–Z

Byron P. Gallagher, Jr.

Attorney (State Bar of Michigan P-number listed) · East Lansing, Ingham County

13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediatorBerrien County Trial Court approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)Calhoun County (37th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)

On the official roster: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) · verified 2026-10-07

Request a consultation with Byron P. Gallagher, Jr.View profile of Byron P. Gallagher, Jr.

E. Thomas McCarthy

Attorney · Grand Rapids, Kent County

13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediatorKent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)U.S. District Court W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation (VFM) panel (LCivR 16.3)

On the official roster: U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan · verified 2026-10-07

Request a consultation with E. Thomas McCarthyView profile of E. Thomas McCarthy

Lee T. Silver

Attorney (State Bar of Michigan P-number listed) · Grand Rapids, Kent County

13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediatorCalhoun County (37th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)

On the official roster: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) · verified 2026-10-07

Request a consultation with Lee T. SilverView profile of Lee T. Silver

Mark R. Mueller

Attorney (State Bar of Michigan P-number listed) · Detroit, Wayne County

13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediatorCalhoun County (37th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)Genesee County (7th Circuit) approved domestic relations mediator (MCR 3.216)

On the official roster: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) · verified 2026-10-07

Request a consultation with Mark R. MuellerView profile of Mark R. Mueller

Todd W. Millar

Attorney · Traverse City, Grand Traverse County

13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediatorU.S. District Court W.D. Mich. Prisoner Early Mediation (PEM) volunteer panelU.S. District Court W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation (VFM) panel (LCivR 16.3)

On the official roster: U.S. District Court, Western District of Michigan · verified 2026-10-07

Request a consultation with Todd W. MillarView profile of Todd W. Millar

Mediators who work online with Michigan clients

These mediators say they work with Michigan clients online. They are on other states’ official rosters (shown on each listing), not Michigan’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 Michigan.

Court-connected mediation in Michigan: Michigan circuit courts keep their own lists of mediators who met court-rule training requirements, and court clerks appoint only from those lists. Some courts encourage parties to pick their own mediator; the court rules themselves were not reviewed.

Private mediation in Michigan: No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed. A State Bar of Michigan ethics opinion says a lawyer-mediator may not draft all the divorce papers for both parties while acting only as mediator.

Sources: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) - Civil Mediators (PDF) · Oakland County Circuit Court - Approved Domestic Mediators (PDF) · MCL 691.1556 - Participation in dispute resolution process · MCL 691.1558 - Administration of program · MCL 552.513 - Friend of the Court alternative dispute resolution · State Bar of Michigan Ethics Opinion RI-351 · partly verified

Search online mediators for Michigan · Online mediators in every state

Other mediators on Michigan rosters, A–Z (173)

Michigan mediators in numbers

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

Michigan: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed

Michigan: the 10 counties with the most mediators listedKent County has the most mediators listed in Michigan (61), followed by Oakland County (30). Counts use each mediator's home county on the roster. Kent County: 61; Oakland County: 30; Kalamazoo County: 14; Berrien County: 11; Wayne County: 11; Ingham County: 8; Macomb County: 5; Allegan County: 3; Gratiot County: 3; Cass County: 2.Kent County: 61 mediatorsKent County61Oakland County: 30 mediatorsOakland County30Kalamazoo County: 14 mediatorsKalamazoo County14Berrien County: 11 mediatorsBerrien County11Wayne County: 11 mediatorsWayne County11Ingham County: 8 mediatorsIngham County8Macomb County: 5 mediatorsMacomb County5Allegan County: 3 mediatorsAllegan County3Gratiot County: 3 mediatorsGratiot County3Cass County: 2 mediatorsCass County2

Kent County has the most mediators listed in Michigan (61), followed by Oakland County (30). 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
Michigan: the 10 counties with the most mediators listed
CountyMediators
Kent County61
Oakland County30
Kalamazoo County14
Berrien County11
Wayne County11
Ingham County8
Macomb County5
Allegan County3
Gratiot County3
Cass County2
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Michigan: certifications and court panels

Michigan: certifications and court panelsThe most common listing is Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411) (73 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 405 people listed. Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 73; 13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediator: 63; Genesee County (7th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 55; Berrien County Trial Court approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 54; Jackson County (4th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 51; U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation (VFM) panel (LCivR 16.3): 51; U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Prisoner Early Mediation (PEM) volunteer panel: 34; Other (33 more certifications or panels): 242.Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 73 mediatorsKent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (M…7313th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediator: 63 mediators13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court…63Genesee County (7th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 55 mediatorsGenesee County (7th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2…55Berrien County Trial Court approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 54 mediatorsBerrien County Trial Court approved civil mediator (MCR 2.4…54Jackson County (4th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411): 51 mediatorsJackson County (4th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2…51U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation (VFM) panel (LCivR 16.3): 51 mediatorsU.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation…51U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Prisoner Early Mediation (PEM) volunteer panel: 34 mediatorsU.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Prisoner Early Mediation (PEM) vo…34Other (33 more certifications or panels): 242 mediatorsOther (33 more certifications or panels)242

The most common listing is Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411) (73 mediators). Many mediators hold more than one certification, so the bars add up to more than the 405 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
Michigan: certifications and court panels
CategoryMediators
Kent County (17th Circuit) court-approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)73
13th Circuit Court (Antrim, Grand Traverse, Leelanau) court-approved general civil mediator63
Genesee County (7th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)55
Berrien County Trial Court approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)54
Jackson County (4th Circuit) approved civil mediator (MCR 2.411)51
U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Voluntary Facilitative Mediation (VFM) panel (LCivR 16.3)51
U.S. Dist. Ct. W.D. Mich. Prisoner Early Mediation (PEM) volunteer panel34
Other (33 more certifications or panels)242
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Michigan: attorney and non-attorney mediators

Michigan: attorney and non-attorney mediators169 of 405 mediators listed in Michigan (42%) 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: 169; Other background or not stated: 236.Roster background lists them as an attorney: 169 mediatorsRoster background lists them as an attorney169Other background or not stated: 236 mediatorsOther background or not stated236

169 of 405 mediators listed in Michigan (42%) 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
Michigan: attorney and non-attorney mediators
CategoryMediators
Roster background lists them as an attorney169
Other background or not stated236
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Know before you go: Michigan mediation FAQ

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

Michigan's Community Dispute Resolution Act creates a program offering conciliation, mediation and other voluntary dispute resolution as an alternative to court [1]. Community dispute resolution centers funded by State Court Administrator grants run it [2]. A court may refer the parties in a civil action to a funded center, but cannot require them to settle [3].

Sources: MCL 691.1553, Community dispute resolution program; creation; purpose · MCL 691.1558, Administration of program · MCL 691.1556, Participation in dispute resolution process

How does mediation work in Michigan family and custody cases?

Friend of the Court offices must offer dispute resolution for custody and parenting-time disputes under a plan that screens for domestic violence and other safety risks, and a court may order a party to meet with the provider [5]. If a protection order exists, a court generally may not send a contested domestic relations issue to mediation without a hearing first unless the protected party asks [6].

Sources: MCL 552.513, Friend of the Court Act – alternative dispute resolution · MCL 600.1035, Revised Judicature Act – mediation in domestic relations actions

Who can be a court mediator in Michigan?

Some circuits publish approved mediator lists: Kent and Calhoun counties (MCR 2.411) and Oakland County (MCR 3.216) [7][8][9].

Sources: Kent County (17th Circuit) – Civil Mediator List · 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) – Civil Mediators (PDF) · Oakland County Circuit Court – Approved Domestic Mediators (PDF)

Is what I say in mediation kept confidential in Michigan?

Those communications are generally confidential [4].

Source: MCL 691.1557, Confidentiality

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

Michigan circuit courts keep their own lists of mediators who met court-rule training requirements, and court clerks appoint only from those lists. Some courts encourage parties to pick their own mediator; the court rules themselves were not reviewed.

Sources: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) - Civil Mediators (PDF) · Oakland County Circuit Court - Approved Domestic Mediators (PDF) · MCL 691.1556 - Participation in dispute resolution process · MCL 691.1558 - Administration of program · MCL 552.513 - Friend of the Court alternative dispute resolution · State Bar of Michigan Ethics Opinion RI-351 · partly verified

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

No state license for private mediators was found in the sources reviewed. A State Bar of Michigan ethics opinion says a lawyer-mediator may not draft all the divorce papers for both parties while acting only as mediator.

Sources: 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) - Civil Mediators (PDF) · Oakland County Circuit Court - Approved Domestic Mediators (PDF) · MCL 691.1556 - Participation in dispute resolution process · MCL 691.1558 - Administration of program · MCL 552.513 - Friend of the Court alternative dispute resolution · State Bar of Michigan Ethics Opinion RI-351 · partly verified

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

Court and community mediation programs in Michigan

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 Michigan

Official links

Sources cited above

  1. MCL 691.1553, Community dispute resolution program; creation; purpose
  2. MCL 691.1558, Administration of program
  3. MCL 691.1556, Participation in dispute resolution process
  4. MCL 691.1557, Confidentiality
  5. MCL 552.513, Friend of the Court Act – alternative dispute resolution
  6. MCL 600.1035, Revised Judicature Act – mediation in domestic relations actions
  7. Kent County (17th Circuit) – Civil Mediator List
  8. 37th Judicial Circuit Court (Calhoun County) – Civil Mediators (PDF)
  9. Oakland County Circuit Court – Approved Domestic Mediators (PDF)

Last reviewed 2026-10-08.