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 eight 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, Seventh, and Eighth Judicial Districts. District Court Administration and Judges from the Sixth and Eighth districts are also regularly involved in board meetings.
Mediation: It's your solution.