Can a court in Atlanta order child custody mediation?

My kids’ mother and I are in a custody dispute. My lawyer filed for full custody and told me that I would be required to attend mediation to try to work something out with the mother instead of going to court. I don’t want to go to mediation and I have no intention of settling for anything less than full custody. She is not a good mother to our children and I don’t see how anything could be worked out with a mediator. Is it true that I have to go to mediation if I object and if I know it is not going to be productive? If I am not happy with my current lawyer, how do I find a different lawyer, preferably Filipino, who knows the Atlanta judges and court system well enough to ensure my chances for full custody?