It isn't. You really can't schedule mediation until you have filed your matter in court and have gone through a portion of the litigation process. Trying to schedule a mediation before you go to court is nearly impossible because the other party has no incentive to agree to go. But once you are in court, then you can usually reach a point where all sides want to attend mediation to try to end the lawsuit.
What good is it to schedule a mediation when the other side refuses to even speak with me?
It isn't. You really can't schedule mediation until you have filed your matter in court and have gone through a portion of the litigation process. Trying to schedule a mediation before you go to court is nearly impossible because the other party has no incentive to agree to go. But once you are in court, then you can usually reach a point where all sides want to attend mediation to try to end the lawsuit.