Chief Circuit Mediator - United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit

You can view the full position announcement and description here: https://www.alabar.org/assets/2025/03/Chief-Circuit-Mediator-3-2025-KMC.pdf

Below is a summary.

The United States Court of Appeals for the Eleventh Circuit invites applications for the position of Chief Circuit Mediator. This position is located on-site in Atlanta, Georgia or Miami, Florida. Applications are being accepted through April 18, 2025, or until the position is filled.

To apply, please send an application packet that includes (1) a cover letter addressed to Cheryl Vessels, Assistant Circuit Executive for Human Resources; (2) a resumé detailing background, qualifications, and experience in mediation; (3) a three-page to five-page self-edited writing sample; and (4) a certificate of good standing as a member of the appropriate bar. Application packets should be emailed in one single PDF attachment to human_resources@ca11.uscourts.gov. Please indicate “Chief Circuit Mediator” in the subject line.

The selected candidate will be subject to a background investigation as a condition of employment.

POSITION SUMMARY: The Chief Circuit Mediator is an executive position with legal and administrative responsibilities. The Chief Circuit Mediator, who serves under the direction of the Chief Judge and the Circuit Executive of the Eleventh Circuit, presides at mediations in civil appeals and oversees the work of professional staff in two offices within the Eleventh Circuit. The primary purpose of circuit mediation is to settle appeals and any related cases. This position is located in the Kinnard Mediation Center.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:
The Chief Circuit Mediator directly supervises circuit mediators whose duties include: leading discussions of procedural and substantive legal issues; conducting analyses of an appeal’s settlement value; probing each party’s interest in an effort to help the parties create and explore alternatives to continued litigation; managing all administrative functions for the Kinnard Mediation Center involving personnel, statistical reporting, automation, fiscal, procurement, and budget; establishing and enforcing operating procedures and standards; developing organizational goals and objectives; and performing other functions and special projects within the Eleventh Circuit as assigned.

REQUIREMENTS: Applicants must possess at least ten years of increasingly responsible administrative and managerial experience in court or executive management that demonstrates thorough knowledge of the basic concepts, principles, and theories of management; the ability to understand the managerial policies applicable to the court; the ability to exert strong leadership in the mediation program, which is a vital component of the appeal process; and the ability to deal tactfully with high level members of the public and private sectors. At least three years of experience must have been in a position of substantial management responsibility.
In addition, five years of progressively responsible legal work experience in the practice of law, legal research, legal administration, or equivalent experience received after graduation from law school is required.