The Power of Community Mediation: A Closer Look at the Nashville Conflict Resolution Center

Wed, Apr 30th, 2025 | by Miles Mediation and Arbitration | Article | Social Share

By Kelly K. James

It’s no secret the world is becoming a more contentious place. People are in conflict. Already-crowded court dockets are becoming even more so.

The Nashville Conflict Resolution Center (NCRC) seeks to help change that. Since 2000, the center has provided more than 20,000 Middle Tennesseans with inexpensive, efficient, and equitable access to justice in the form of community mediation.

The concept of community mediation started on two parallel tracks — one was community-focused social justice and the other, legal mediation. “Community mediation merges the two,” says Shannon Wagner, NCRC’s executive director.

“NCRC provides community mediation as an alternative to the court system and in partnership with some of our community partners, to those who cannot afford it,” says Shannon.

Three Community Mediation Programs

The NCRC operates three community mediation programs:

• The parenting program, which represents about 55% of NCRC’s cases and serves unmarried or never-married parents who are working on parenting plans or dealing with custody issues. While 75% of the parenting program’s participants reside in Davidson County, the program is almost completely virtual and serves residents in another 20 counties.
• The civil program, which represents about 35% of cases, and is connected to Davidson County’s general sessions court. NCRC is also launching satellite civil programs in Warren and Sumner Counties. “The civil program works primarily with small claims, evictions, and landlord/tenant cases,” says Shannon. “It’s an important part of the center with the housing crisis and rising cost of living and is part of an eviction right-to-counsel coalition.”
• The victim-offender program, which represents about 10% of NCRC’s cases. “We partner with the DA’s office, the Metropolitan Housing and Development agency, and other community partners,” says Shannon. “This program is focused on relationships and reconciliation for both of the parties involved.”

In addition to a staff of seven, NCRC has 25 to 35 active volunteers at any given time. “Some of our top volunteers have been volunteering every week for years,” says Shannon. While most volunteers are attorneys, a legal or ADR background isn’t necessary to help people resolve their disputes.

Benefits for Clients and Volunteers

It’s not only the participants but the volunteers who benefit from the center. “It’s truly an opportunity to give back,” Shannon says. “Community mediation is focused on providing solutions for people who need it most and it’s rewarding.”

Nashville-based attorney and mediator Phillip Jones is one of those volunteers; he has been a NCRC board member since late 2024. “NCRC is a very respected not-for-profit advocacy group, founded 25 years ago,” says Phillip. “It is endorsed by our local court system for indigent assistance in civil cases, and in domestic cases. He adds that the legal community should appreciate the “active and important role it plays in the middle Tennessee legal community.”

In fact, NCRC boasts an 86% settlement rate and is the only community mediation center in the area. “We provide a much-needed service, and we save a tremendous amount of time and tax dollars,” Shannon says. The center doesn’t compete with traditional ADR firms as it only works with people who qualify for its services based on their income or are referred by the courts.

NCRC also offers a Lunch and Learn program that lets mediators and legal professionals learn more about community mediation and earn continuing education credits for doing so.

Making a Difference

The program has made a positive difference in the communities it serves for 25 years. “Community mediation is effective; it’s efficient; and it’s compassionate. It allows folks to determine their own futures, and it truly makes us a more peaceful society,” says Shannon. “Our courts are overrun, and the center creates an alternative that meets the need and is more compassionate and more self-determined [than court].”

Miles is proud to be sponsoring NCRC’s Mediation Matters Luncheon on Thursday, September 25 at 11:30 am. NCRC will be honoring community mediation heroes, former Judge Marietta Shipley and longtime volunteer, Don Schulze. The event will take place at the Hillwood Country Club in Nashville, TN.

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