The professional cluster on which I have chosen to carry out my report is that of arbitrators, mediators and conciliators. Individuals in these positions are facilitators of negotiation and conflict resolution through dialogue and are tasked with resolving conflicts outside of court by reaching mutual agreement of all parties involved. Mediation is one of the forms of alternative dispute resolution intended to resolve all disputes between two parties with practical effects. Mediators reduce the costs of the U.S. court system, making the courts more economical both for the state and for the plethora of plaintiffs and defendants who bring cases into the court system. If a case is resolved before going to court through mediation, all parties involved, including potential juries, magistrates and lawyers, save a significant amount of time. According to US News and World Report, the school with the best mediation program is Pepperdine University School of Law, located in Malibu, California. Pepperdine University School of Law is a member of the Global Justice Program which works to advance international human rights, religious freedom, global development and the rule of law. This school also offers the opportunity for students to participate in law journals and even obtain a Master's degree in dispute resolution. Mediators only need to earn a bachelor's degree, but several hours of additional training are required to become a certified mediator. In Virginia, as in many other states, there is no specific education requirement for a mediator, and the parties may choose any mediator. However, in order for a mediator to receive a court referral in a general district court, he or she must… middle of the paper… never pick a “winner,” but decide what is right for both parties. As a mediator, I feel that I could reduce the burden on our justice system and encourage litigants to come to an agreement with each other rather than forcing them into a situation deemed fair by the court, especially in civil cases. Works Cited: "Arbiters, Mediators, and Conciliators." VIEW on career in Virginia. Np, nd Web. 07 October 2013. Np, nd Web. 07 October 2013."Careers of Arbitrators, Mediators and Conciliators: Job Description, Video Overview, and Compensation Information." US News University Directory. Np, nd Web. December 11, 2013."Pepperdine University." US News & World Report. Np, nd Web. 07 Oct 2013. “Ombudsman: Career Information.” About.com Career Planning. Np, 2011. Web. December 11, 2013."Summary." US Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, n.d. Web. 11 December. 2013.