About Us

Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa (M.S.E.I.) is a non-profit corporation located in Iowa City, Iowa. M.S.E.I.’s vision is to be a leader in promoting public awareness and use of mediation for cooperative conflict resolution.

M.S.E.I. is the court-appointed administrator of the Sixth Judicial District’s Family Mediation Program and the Johnson County Small Claims Court Mediation Program. Both programs have been an integral part of case processing for over twenty years and continue to significantly lighten the court caseload, while supporting parties and the role of attorneys.

These programs were founded by a grass-roots group of mediators and attorneys. They were originally funded by annual grants from the Iowa Supreme Court (and two IOLTA start-up grants to the Family Mediation Program) until November 2001. At that time, the Court notified mediation programs across the state that the Court Technology funds it historically reserved for mediation programs would instead be allotted to the Judicial Branch, due to state budget shortfalls.

In December 2001, a group of judges, attorneys, mediators, and court administrators from the Sixth and the Eighth Judicial Districts began working to found MSEI, a non-profit organization committed to mediation.

MSEI received non-profit status in October 2002. MSEI is governed by a Board of Directors comprised of lawyers and mediators from the Sixth Judicial District.

The Family Mediation Program is overseen by the Mediation Advisory Committee (MAC), which includes Sixth Judicial District district court judges, the District Court Administrator, family law attorneys and family mediators.

MSEI also founded and administers the Johnson County Restorative Justice Conferencing program, for work with referred youth and the people affected by their actions. The Johnson County Attorney’s office and Juvenile Court Services were instrumental in initiating the program.

Mediation Services of Eastern Iowa

319-541-9434 | admin@mediateiowa.org
91 Prairie Hill Ln, Iowa City, IA 52246