Croft ADR


CONTACT    

Phone / 404.577.8400   
After Hours / 404.609.9008   
tlc@CroftADR.com    

    The voice of experience in dispute resolution guiding you to success -
Home Biography ADR Services Mediation & Arbitration Availability Resources Contact
 
 
 



MEDIATION TIPS FOR RISING AND OTHER STARS

by Terrence Lee Croft

MEDIATOR SELECTION

Mediation is not just an option; in many courts it is required, though at the wrong time in the life of the case, and with the wrong choice of mediators. Today, counsel frequently consider mediating even before filing pleadings. So, the issue is not whether to mediate, it has become when and how to mediate. Often, this involves the consideration of the use of a provider, as well as the selection of a mediator.

Cost is certainly a factor; inexpensive court sponsored programs are an alternative for extremely cost conscious counsel and their clients. However, you get what you pay for, and for most cases worth filing, the value of an effective mediator, who produces a resolution long before litigation could, results in a substantial saving of time and money and an increase in client satisfaction.

The process for the selection of the mediator has changed over the years. At first, the Lions of the plaintiffs' trial bar espoused the theory the "he who held the checkbook should select the mediator"; apparently based on the assumption that if defense counsel and his claim representative approved of the mediator, they would be more likely to follow that mediator's recommendations and the chance of settlement would be increased. This may have accounted for the rise in popularity of mediators who had been life-long defense lawyers! This was particularly true in insured liability cases. These days, the authority to settle often comes from a supervisor or round-table of supervisors who never attend the mediation, and who may have little to do with the selection of the mediator. Now, both sides recognize that mediator selection is often critical to settlement of the case and that selection is carefully negotiated.

Today, experienced advocates in mediation, with serious cases brought before private providers, prefer mediators with a body of successful process experience. They want mediators who have mediated a substantial number of cases and settled most of them. Of course, knowledge of the substantive law involved, especially in cases in an unusual or arcane nature, sometimes can be important. Most of the time, a knowledgeable advocate can teach an experienced mediator the controlling law on the narrow issues involved, during the pre-mediation telephone conference or in the written mediation statement. But, even the best advocate cannot teach the mediator how to mediate!

How can an advocate identify a good mediator for a particular case? ASK! Ask your colleagues and friends at the bar. Sometimes that even includes your opposing counsel, but at the right time and after you have candidates of your own.

Ask the proposed mediators about themselves, their experiences with opposing counsel, their familiarity with the substantive area and their general methods used in the mediation process.  Do they use opening statements? Will they use early bracketing? Will they see the mediation through until resolution? Do they know how to effectively use a "mediator's number"?

Look them up on the Internet, especially on their own or their providers web sites. Use LinkedIn, Georgia Academy of Mediators & Arbitrators (georgiamediators.com), the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, and other organizations. Look for membership in local, state and national associations and their ADR Sections. Ask your mediator friends who are not under consideration for the case to suggest other potential mediators. If all else fails, look at the very long list maintained by the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution. You can even confer with a coach or consultant who specializes in helping to solve thorny ADR issues.

Make sure you have an experienced mediator, with a reputation for resolving cases, who is competent to mediate your area of law and who will be respected by the other side, as well as by your own client. You need a mediator that everyone will listen to and respect. 

MEDIATION ADVOCACY

Too many lawyers confuse litigation advocacy with mediation advocacy.

 In a court room, there is a triangle of communication between you, the judge or jury, and the opposing side. You must entertain and persuade, while you establish credibility with the jury. You can describe the other side's terrible mis-deeds and exaggerate for emphasis, with a plethora of descriptive adjectives and adverbs. But, when sitting across the mediation table there is no jury, no triangle. If you call your opponent names and vilify him when he is sitting right in front of you, you will aggravate and offend him past the point of any reconciliation. Good mediation advocacy consists of teaching and explaining to your opponent why a jury will decide that your position prevails over his.

Failure to recognize that instructional teaching, as would be utilized by a Sunday School teacher with young children, is more effective than bombast and brimstone in the opening or plenary session, wastes a unique opportunity that mediation provides. It is the only time in most cases when you can talk directly to the opposing client.  Moreover, because so many advocates have polarized opening sessions with their mis-use of litigation advocacy in mediation, many mediators, especially in the western United States, simply eliminate that session.

Skipping the opening means that each side is mediating with the mediator, instead of each other.  Every time the mediator comes into the room, you blame the mediator for the information he brings. You and your client argue with the mediator and  do not listen. You become adversarial. Compromise becomes more difficult.

Utilize the opening session with your opponent to make a low-key, but persuasive, presentation that helps the other side to understand your case and why you predict it will prevail. Discussing this issue in advance of the mediation with the mediator is critical. It may be worth discussing with opposing counsel, too. 

As the art of mediation continues to develop, stay informed about those developments. Your provider may even make seminars available to you for no charge to help you stay current. Again, just ask.  ■




 

 
 
 
   © 2013 Croft ADR

Privacy Terms of Use  Sitemap

Website designed & maintained by Digital Smart Tools, LLC