The fact is experience does make one better and you are competing with a large number of established talented mediators. In some areas the number of certified mediators has stayed stable due to people not renewing, moving, or dying. In Florida in 1998 the ratio of court ordered mediation to the number of certified mediators was 25 to 1. Considering that many certified mediators don't practice, this is fairly promising. Thousands of other cases were mediated without court order.
Companies employ mediators to head off litigation.
Employment contracts require mediation as a first step in resolving work place disputes. Companies with some form of dispute resolution process include Philip Morris, Equitable Life, TRW, Rockwell International, Red Lobster, Olive Garden, and Citibank. Hurricane Andrew Insurance project utilized ADR which has entered into a variety of insurance conflicts. Courts send most cases to mediation. Businessmen seek to mediate before running up costs.