May a Kentucky lawyer serve as a divorce mediator or as independent counsel for a party in mediation, and may a mediation service hand out a list of interested lawyers?

Plain-English summary

The Committee was asked whether a Kentucky lawyer may participate in divorce mediation, either as the mediator or as independent counsel for a party. It answered "Yes."

The opinion recalled KBA E-290 (1984), which noted that a lawyer should not act as advocate for both spouses in a divorce but reserved the possibility of serving as a mediator. It pointed to Model Rule 2.2, under which a lawyer may serve as mediator rather than advocate if the rule's conditions are met, and to the ABA's Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation (1984), which it appended (without commentary) as concrete guidance. The opinion stated that independent counsel must bring independent professional judgment to bear on the benefits and risks of mediation and the adequacy of any settlement.

On a mediation organization's request, the opinion addressed whether the organization may give parties a list of community lawyers familiar with mediation. It concluded that such a list may be provided so long as its use complies with the rules on advertising and specialty disclaimers, and so long as a listed lawyer does not have to pay the organization for the listing, citing Model Rule 7.2.

Currency note

This opinion was issued in 1989 under Kentucky's former Code of Professional Responsibility (in effect 1971 to 1990), before the Kentucky Bar Association's 1990 adoption of the Rules of Professional Conduct (SCR 3.130) and the substantial 2009 revisions to those rules. Model Rule 2.2, on which the opinion relied, was later deleted from the ABA Model Rules. Treat this page as historical context, not current guidance. Verify against the current rules before relying on any specific rule, deadline, or requirement mentioned here.

Common questions

Q: Can a Kentucky lawyer serve as a divorce mediator?

A: Yes. The opinion concluded a lawyer may serve as mediator (as distinct from advocate for both spouses) if the conditions of Model Rule 2.2 are met.

Q: Should parties in mediation still use independent counsel?

A: The opinion stated independent counsel must apply independent professional judgment to the benefits and risks of mediation and the adequacy of any settlement, consistent with the ABA Standards it appended.

Q: May a mediation service give parties a list of lawyers?

A: Yes, the opinion concluded such a list may be provided if its use complies with the advertising and specialty-disclaimer rules and the listed lawyer does not pay the organization for the listing, citing Model Rule 7.2.

Background and rules framework

The opinion interprets Model Rule 2.2 (lawyer serving as an intermediary, since deleted from the ABA Model Rules) and Model Rule 7.2 (advertising), and it incorporates the ABA's 1984 Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation as detailed guidance for the ethical questions mediation raises.

Citations and references

Rules of Professional Conduct:

• MR 2.2 (lawyer as intermediary; later deleted)
• MR 7.2 (advertising; lists and payment for recommendations)

Other opinions and authorities cited:

• KBA E-290 (1984)
• ABA Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation (1984)

See also

• KBA Ethics Op. E-361: Lawyers as Divorce Mediators
• KBA Ethics Op. E-449: Lawyers as Neutrals
• NY State Bar Op. 900: Government Lawyer as Mediator

Source

• Landing page: https://kybar.org/For-Members/Rules-Ethics-Information/Ethics-Opinions
• Original PDF: https://kybar.org/Portals/0/Admin/Ethics%20Opinions/KBA_E-335.pdf

Original opinion text

Reproduced from the official source for research purposes. The linked source is authoritative.

KENTUCKY BAR ASSOCIATION
Ethics Opinion KBA E-335
Issued: July 1989

This opinion was decided under the Code of Professional Responsibility, which was in
effect from 1971 to 1990. Lawyers should consult the current version of the Rules of
Professional Conduct and Comments, SCR 3.130 (available at http://www.kybar.org),
especially Rules 7.01-7.50 and the Attorneys' Advertising Commission Regulations,
before relying on this opinion.

Question:

May Kentucky lawyers participate in "Divorce Mediation?"

Answer:

Yes.

References:

Model Rules 2.2 and 7.2; Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation
of the American Bar Association (1984).
OPINION

Several inquiries have been made regarding the propriety of a Kentucky lawyer's
participation in divorce mediation, either in the role of mediator or independent counsel for a party
engaged mediation.
In KBA E-290 (1984) we noted the conventional wisdom that a lawyer should not attempt
to serve as advocate for both spouses in a divorce. However, the opinion reserved the possibility
that a lawyer might serve as a mediator in this setting. Indeed, Model Rule 2.2 provides that a
lawyer may serve as mediator (as opposed to advocate) if the conditions imposed by the Rule are
met. The ABA has also promulgated Standards of Practice for Divorce and Family Mediation.
These detailed guidelines (33 pages) are available from the ABA Press. They should provide
concrete answers to specific questions concerning the ethical implications of mediation. We
include a brief statement of the Standards (without the Commentary) for your convenience .
One organization that contemplates offering mediation services plans to encourage
participants to consult independent counsel before engaging in mediation, and again before the
parties formalize any mediated agreement. Of course, independent counsel must bring to bear
their independent professional judgment in regards to the benefits and risks of mediation, and the
adequacy of any settlement. This is consistent with the ABA Standards.
The organization also asks if it may provide interested parties with a list of lawyers in the
particular community that have manifested an interest and familiarity with the mediation process.
The parties would not be limited to the selection of mediators or lawyers from such a list. Such a
list may be provided so long as any use of the list complies with the rules governing advertising
and specialty disclaimer, and so long as the listed lawyer does not have to pay the organization for
the listing. See Model Rule 7.2.

Appendix of Standards:
PREAMBLE AND STANDARDS
Preamble
For the purposes of these standards, family mediation is defined as a process in which a
lawyer helps family members resolve their disputes in an informative and consensual manner. This
process requires that the mediator be qualified by training, experience and temperament; that the
mediator be impartial, that the participants reach decisions voluntarily; that their decisions be based
on sufficient factual data; and that each participant understands the information upon which
decisions are reached. While family mediation may be viewed as an alternative means of conflict
resolution, it is not a substitute for the benefit of independent legal advice.
Standard I
The mediator has a duty to define and describe the process of mediation
and its cost before the parties reach an agreement to mediate.

Before the actual mediation sessions begin, the mediator shall conduct an orientation session to
give an overview of the process and to assess the appropriateness of mediation for the participants.
Among the topics covered, the mediator shall discuss the following:
A.

B.
C.

D.

E.

F.
G.

The mediator shall define the process in context so that the participants understand the
differences between mediation and other means of conflict resolution available to them. In
defining the process, the mediator shall also distinguish it from therapy or marriage
counseling.
The mediator shall obtain sufficient information from the participants so they can mutually
define the issues to be resolved in mediation.
It should be emphasized that the mediator may make suggestions for the participants to
consider, such as alternative ways of resolving problems and may draft proposals for the
participants' consideration, but that all decisions are to be made voluntarily by the
participants themselves, and the mediator's views are to be given no independent weight or
credence.
The duties and responsibilities that the mediator and the participants accept in the
mediation process shall be agreed upon. The mediator shall instruct the participants that
either of them or the mediator has the right to suspend or terminate the process at any time.
The mediator shall assess the ability and willingness of the participants to mediate. The
mediator has a continuing duty to assess his or her own ability and willingness to
undertake mediation with the particular participants and the issues to be mediated. The
mediator shall not continue and shall terminate the process, if in his or her judgment, one
of the parties is not able or willing to participate in good faith.
The mediator shall explain the fees for mediation. It is inappropriate for a mediator to
charge a contingency fee or to base the fee on the outcome of the mediation process.
The mediator shall inform the participants of the need to employ independent legal counsel
for advice throughout the mediation process. The mediator shall inform the participants that

H.

I.

the mediator cannot represent either or both of them in a marital dissolution or in any legal
action. The mediator cannot act as lawyer for either party or for them jointly and should
make that clear to both parties.
The mediator shall discuss the issue of separate sessions. The mediator shall reach an
understanding with the participants as to whether and under what circumstances the
mediator may meet along with either of them or with any third party.
It should be brought to the participants' attention that emotions play a part in the
decision-making process. The mediator shall attempt to elicit from each of the participants
a confirmation that each understands the connection between one's own emotions and the
bargaining process.

Standard II
The mediator shall not voluntarily disclose information obtained through
the mediation process without the prior consent of both participants.
A.

B.
C.

At the outset of mediation, the participants should agree in writing not to require the
mediator to disclose to any third party any statements made in the course of mediation. The
mediator shall inform the participants that the mediator will not voluntarily disclose to any
third party of the information obtained through the mediation process, unless such
disclosure is required by law, without the prior consent of the participants. The mediator
shall also inform the participants of the limitation of confidentiality such as statutory or
judicially mandate reporting.
If subpoenaed or otherwise noticed to testify, the mediator shall inform the participants
immediately so as to afford them an opportunity to quash the process.
The mediator shall inform the participants of the mediator's inability to bind third parties to
an agreement not to disclose information furnished during the mediation in the absence of
any absolute privilege.

Standard III
The mediator has a duty to be impartial.
A.

B.

C.

D.

The mediator shall not represent either party during or after the mediation process in any
legal matters. In the event the mediator has represented one of the participants beforehand,
the mediator shall not undertake the mediation.
The mediator shall disclose to the participants any biases or strong views relating to the
issues to be mediated, both in the orientation session, and also before these issues are
discussed in mediation.
The mediator must be impartial as between the mediation participants. The mediator's task
is to facilitate the ability of the participants to negotiate their own agreement, while raising
questions as to the fairness, equity and feasibility of proposed options for settlement.
The mediator has a duty to ensure that the participants consider fully the best interests of
the children, that they understand the consequences of any decision they reach concerning
the children. The mediator also has a duty to assist parents to examine the separate and
individual needs of their children and to consider those needs apart from their own desires
for any particular parenting formula. If the mediator believes that the proposed agreement

E.

of the parents does not protect the best interests of the children, the mediator has a duty to
inform them of this belief and its basis.
The mediator shall not communicate with either party alone or with any third party to
discuss mediation issues without the prior written consent of the mediation participants.
The mediator shall obtain an agreement from the participants during the orientation session
as to whether and under what circumstances the mediator may speak directly and separately
with each of their lawyers during the mediation process.

Standard IV
The mediator has a duty to assure that the mediation participants make
decisions based upon sufficient information and knowledge.
A.

B.

C.

The mediator shall assure that there is full financial disclosure, evaluation and development
of relevant factual information in the mediation process, such as each would reasonably
receive in the discovery process, or that the parties have sufficient information to
intelligently waive the right to such disclosure.
In addition to requiring this disclosure, evaluation and development of information, the
mediator shall promote the equal understanding of such information before any agreement
is reached. This consideration may require the mediator to recommend that either or both
obtain expert consultation in the event that it appears that additional knowledge or
understanding is necessary for balanced negotiations.
The mediator may define the legal issues, but shall not direct the decision of the mediation
participants based upon the mediator's interpretation of the law as applied to the facts of
the situation. The mediator shall endeavor to assure that the participants have a sufficient
understanding of appropriate statutory and case law as well as local judicial tradition,
before reaching an agreement by recommending to the participants that they obtain
independent legal representation during the process.

Standard V
The mediator has a duty to suspend or terminate mediation whenever
continuation of the process would harm one or more of the participants.
A.

B.
C.
D.

If the mediator believes that the participants are unable or unwilling to meaningfully
participate in the process or that reasonable agreement is unlikely, the mediator may
suspend or terminate mediation and should encourage the parties to seek appropriate
professional help. The mediator shall recognize that the decisions are to be made by the
parties on the basis of adequate information. The mediator shall not, however, participate
in a process that the mediator believes will result in harm to a participant.
The mediator shall assure that each person has had the opportunity to understand fully the
implications and ramifications of all options available.
The mediator has a duty to assure a balanced dialogue and must attempt to diffuse any
manipulative or intimidating negotiation techniques utilized by either of the participants.
If the mediator has suspended or terminated the process, the mediator should suggest that
the participants obtain additional professional services as may be appropriate.

Standard VI
The mediator has a continuing duty to advise each of the mediation
participants to obtain legal review prior to reaching any agreement.
A.

B.
C.

D.

Each of the mediation participants should have independent legal counsel before reaching
final agreement. At the beginning of the mediation process, the mediator shall inform the
participants that each should employ independent legal counsel for advice at the beginning
of the process and that the independent legal counsel should be utilized throughout the
process and before the participants have reached any accord to which they have made an
emotional commitment. In order to promote the integrity of the process, the mediator shall
not refer either of the participants to any particular lawyers. When an attorney referral is
requested, the parties should be referred to a Bar Association list if available. In the absence
of such a list, the mediator may only provide a list of qualified family law attorneys in the
community.
The mediator shall inform the participants that the mediator cannot represent either or both
of them in a marital dissolution.
The mediator shall obtain an agreement from the husband and wife that each lawyer, upon
request, shall be entitled to review all the factual documentation provided by the
participants in the mediation process.
Any memo of understanding or proposed agreement which is prepared in the mediation
process should be separately reviewed by independent counsel for each participant before
it is signed. While a mediator cannot insist that each participant have separate counsel,
they should be discouraged from signing any agreement which has not been so reviewed.
If the participant, or either of them, choose to proceed without independent counsel, the
mediator shall warn them of any risk involved in not being represented, including where
appropriate, the possibility that the agreement they submit to a court may be rejected as
unreasonable in light of both parties' legal rights or may not be binding on them.

Note to Reader
This ethics opinion has been formally adopted by the Board of Governors of the Kentucky
Bar Association under the provisions of Kentucky Supreme Court Rule 3.530 (or its predecessor
rule). The Rule provides that formal opinions are advisory only.