IMI-CMS-CDRC International Mediation Evening for Professionals

The International Mediation Institute is a non-profit public initiative with the vision of professional mediation worldwide, promoting consensus and access to justice.  To this end it convenes global stakeholders in establishing high mediation standards, promotes understanding and adoption of mediation, and disseminates skills and materials for parties, counsel, and mediators, including a professional Code of Conduct.  By driving transparency and high competency standards in mediation worldwide, IMI is making a positive difference to the dispute resolution world.

International Mediation Institute

Join us for a night of international mediation networking and learning for professionals at the IMI-CMS-CDRC event on July 3rd, 2026!

Gauermanngasse 2

On Friday, 3 July 2026, the International Mediation Institute is once again bringing an exciting program and networking opportunity within the <a href="https://www.cdrcvienna.org/" title="https://www.cdrcvienna.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">IBA-VIAC CDRC Mediation and Negotiation Competition</a> in Vienna, connecting the international mediation community with local lawyers and users. Expect vibrant discussions within a panel of experienced mediation professionals, followed by a networking reception. Assessors and coaches partaking in CDRC Vienna are invited, as well as IMI Certified and Qualified Mediators, local and regional mediators, mediation supporters, and professionals wishing to exchange and network to advance mediation locally and internationally. The International Mediation Evening for Professionals is kindly hosted by <a href="https://cms.law/en/aut/about-us/about-us/cms-reich-rohrwig-hainz" title="https://cms.law/en/aut/about-us/about-us/cms-reich-rohrwig-hainz" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz</a> Vienna. Doors will open at 5:30 PM, with the Panel Discussions starting at 6:00 PM CEST. Kindly note that the event has limited seats, and places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis.<h4> </h4><h3>The Panel</h3>Following the success of <a href="https://imimediation.org/2025/08/18/shaping-the-future-of-mediation-insights-from-the-imi-cms-cdrc-international-mediation-evening-in-vienna/" title="https://imimediation.org/2025/08/18/shaping-the-future-of-mediation-insights-from-the-imi-cms-cdrc-international-mediation-evening-in-vienna/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">our 2025 panel on effective mediation advocacy skills</a>, this year we are shifting the lens to explore the deeper, structural dynamics of the mediation room. While lawyers are indispensable to the dispute resolution process, their traditional adversarial training can sometimes clash with the collaborative nature of mediation. The panel will dismantle the traditional boundaries of counsel, mediator, and client while walking through the lifecycle of a mediation, tackling difficult questions at every stage:<ul><li>The Preparation Phase: The panel will analyze how counsel can adapt legal evaluations specifically for mediation, test client settlement authority, and leverage pre-mediation conferences for strategic alignment.</li><li>The Negotiation Phase and the Principal-Agent Problem: Speakers will dissect the optimal division of roles between client and counsel, navigating the delicate boundaries of lawyer intervention and managing sub-optimal dynamics.</li><li>The Drafting and Settlement Phase: Discussion will center on drawing precise lines between the mediator and counsel regarding who bears the ultimate responsibility for ensuring the legal and practical viability of the final agreement.</li></ul> <h4>The event will open with welcoming remarks by:</h4><ul><li><a href="https://imimediation.org/member/ivana-nincic-osterle/" title="https://imimediation.org/member/ivana-nincic-osterle/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Ivana Ninčić Österle</a>, Executive Director of the International Mediation Institute (IMI)</li><li><a href="https://cms.law/en/aut/people/daniela-karollus-bruner" title="https://cms.law/en/aut/people/daniela-karollus-bruner" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Daniela Karollus-Bruner</a>, CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz (CMS RRH)</li><li><a href="https://cms.law/en/aut/people/sonja-otenhajmer" title="https://cms.law/en/aut/people/sonja-otenhajmer" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sonja Otenhajmer,</a> CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz (CMS RRH)</li><li><a href="https://thomasjohn.law/about/" title="https://thomasjohn.law/about/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Thomas John MCIArb</a>, Director, CDRC</li></ul> <h4>We are bringing together a diverse expert panel featuring:</h4><ul><li><a href="https://imimediation.org/member/tat-lim/" title="https://imimediation.org/member/tat-lim/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Tat Lim</a>, IMI Certified Mediator, Singapore, IMI Board Chair</li><li><a href="https://tailored.solutions/about-me/?lang=en" title="https://tailored.solutions/about-me/?lang=en" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Amelie Huber-Starlinger</a>, Mediator, Member of the VIAC Mediation Advisory Board, Austria</li><li><a href="https://www.cdrcvienna.org/?sptp_member=beatrice-herrmann" title="https://www.cdrcvienna.org/?sptp_member=beatrice-herrmann" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Beatrice Herrmann</a>, IMI Certified Mediator, Accredited Associate Mediator with the Singapore Mediation Centre, Accredited Member of the Swiss Federation of Mediation (FSM) and the Swiss Chamber of Commercial Mediation (SCCM), Certified Executive Coach (ICF ACC)</li><li><a href="https://www.ddrs.online/sarah-tarar" title="https://www.ddrs.online/sarah-tarar" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Sarah Tarar,</a> Mediation Practitioner, Founder of the International Centre for Dispute Resolution Lahore (ICDRL) and CEO of ADR ODR International Pakistan</li><li><a href="https://swalkermediation.com/cv" title="https://swalkermediation.com/cv" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Stephen Walker</a>, Expert Civil and Commercial Mediator based in London, Ranked in Tier 1 in both Chambers and the Legal 500 and in the Hall of Fame</li><li><a href="https://www.legal500.com/firms/11926-fidal/c-france/lawyers/6267080-jalal-el-ahdab" title="https://www.legal500.com/firms/11926-fidal/c-france/lawyers/6267080-jalal-el-ahdab" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Dr. Jalal (Jil) El Ahdab</a>: Partner at FIDAL (Paris), Honorary Chair of the IBA Mediation Committee, Attorney, focusing on international dispute resolution in Africa, Europe, and the MENA region.</li></ul> <h4>Join us as we shift the lens to the mechanics of a "perfect" mediation, bridging the gap between traditional legal advocacy and effective dispute resolution strategy!</h4> <h3>About the CDRC Mediation and Negotiation Competition</h3>The 2026 edition of the CDRC Mediation and Negotiation Competition in Vienna takes place from Thursday, 2 July 2026 to Tuesday, 7 July 2026 in Vienna, Austria. CDRC Vienna is the leading global consensual dispute resolution moot competition, attracting top students annually to Vienna. By benefitting greatly from the experience and knowledge of and guidance from the world-leading consensual dispute resolution experts, competitors can develop and hone their skills, experience, and brilliance in international commercial mediation. The Event invites students to compete as negotiators and mediators, and welcomes professionals to divulge their experience as expert assessors. It is a joint initiative of the <a href="https://www.ibanet.org/" title="https://www.ibanet.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">International Bar Association</a>–<a href="https://www.viac.eu/en/" title="https://www.viac.eu/en/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">Vienna International Arbitral Centre</a>. <h4>The Competition is proudly supported by the <a href="https://imimediation.org/" title="https://imimediation.org/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">International Mediation Institute</a>.</h4><h4> </h4><h4>We hope to see you in Vienna!</h4>

The event is verified by <a href="https://www.cedr.com/" title="https://www.cedr.com/" target="_blank" data-msys-clicktrack="0" rel="nofollow noopener noreferrer">CEDR </a>for continuing professional development (CPD) and continuing legal education (CLE).

Agenda

Registration and Networking

Welcoming words from the host, CMS Reich-Rohrwig Hainz Rechtsanwälte GmbH

Welcoming words from the International Mediation Institute

Welcoming words from the IBA – VIAC CDRC Mediation & Negotiation Competition 

Moderator: Tat Lim (IMI Certified Mediator, IMI Board Chair and CDRC Assessor, Singapore) / Panellists: Dr. Jalal (Jil) El Ahdab (France), Amelie Huber-Starlinger (Austria), Beatrice Herrmann (Switzerland), Sarah Tarar (Pakistan), and Stephen Walker (UK).

Panel Discussion: Perspectives on the Role of Lawyers in a Mediation

Networking Reception

Our {communityGuidelinesLink} describe the sort of content we prohibit on Eventbrite. If you suspect an event may be in violation, you can report it to us so we can investigate.

To report other categories of prohibited or illegal content, submit {link}

IMI-CMS-CDRC International Mediation Evening for Professionals

More events from International Mediation Institute

Discover more events from International Mediation Institute, from Business to other experiences you might love.

IMI-CMS-CDRC International Mediation Evening for Professionals

More events from International Mediation Institute

Discover more events from International Mediation Institute, from Business to other experiences you might love.

You might also like...

Browse more events with different dates, prices, and formats to find your next great experience.