Stephen M. Liacouras has been chosen as the next chief circuit mediator of the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. The appointment, which is effective August 1, 2018, was announced today by Ninth Circuit Chief Judge Sidney R. Thomas. Mr. Liacouras, who has worked as a circuit mediator since 2001, will succeed Claudia L. Bernard, who has served as chief circuit mediator since 2007. Ms. Bernard is retiring after 29 years as a circuit mediator.As chief circuit mediator, Mr. Liacouras will oversee a staff of seven mediators and five support staff. Each year, the unit resolves about 1,200 cases which would have otherwise gone through the adjudicative process, thus reducing the workload burden on judges in the nation’s busiest appellate court. More details here.