Negotiators often face a dilemma in negotiation—should I claim this value for myself and force the other side to concede, or should I work to create value here so that I can claim more value for myself later on? This dilemma forces many negotiators into positions that they do not want to be in, and …
Allen Brent smirked across the negotiating table at Sheila. “You know, Ms. Baker, you haven’t got a snowball’s chance of winning. I’m authorized to offer you three months’ salary and a waiver of costs in return for complete dismissal, No more.” “Three months! That’s unfair. Renee got a year! And she didn’t have my medical …
According to a study by Steele and Nimmer, the top two concerns that clients have about their attorneys are that fees are too high, and that performance is delayed. Perhaps because of this, the California Legislature passed laws in 1978 requiring that the State Bar establish a fee arbitration program. It may also establish a …
Who’s Who in ADR is an Invitation-Only Worldwide Roster of Top Caliber Mediators and Arbitrators Who Exemplify ADR Excellence. November 14th, 2022 Irvine, California — One of America’s most respected ADR trainers, coaches, and mediators, Lee Jay Berman of American Institute of Mediation and Mediation Offices of Lee Jay Berman, has been accepted into the inaugural …
Communication is an important part of any workplace or group setting, and a key component of reaching agreements. When communication is healthy, a workplace or group can be productive and reach its objective. When communication breaks down, other aspects of the workplace begin to fall apart as well. In some cases, communication breaks down as …
A book by Stephen Goldberg, Jeanne Brett, Beatrice Blohorn-Brenneur, and Nancy Rogers presents a concise primer on what participants can expect from the mediation process. As academics, the authors ground their discussion in theory, starting with an explanation of the differences between conflicts and disputes and how disputes can be resolved regarding power, rights, and …
Mediation is a dynamic process. This can mean stepping back, leaning out, and adopting a process that empowers the parties to set their own agenda and seek outcomes that may greatly vary from the objectives set forth in the briefs by lawyers who are trained as advocates more than problem-solvers. In disputes where distributive bargaining …
The vast majority of legal disputes aren’t ended due to a trial. But, at some point, the parties reach a mutually agreeable compromise, and the dispute is resolved. Mediation is one way to help parties reach an agreement if they can’t do it themselves. Attorney Richard Shore, writing in Forbes, has these ideas to help increase …
In response to my question, “Do you use “BATNA” wrong?,” I plead guilty with an explanation. With the patient teaching of my friends, Hiro Aragaki and Sanda Kaufman, I have come to see the error of my ways. I was concerned because BATNA – the Best Alternative to a Negotiated Agreement – has become part of the vernacular, …
What is Mediation? There are many benefits to mediation, including spiritual and emotional, according to an article written by Dr. Denisha Shah. Attorneys who use the mediation process may focus on the more immediate benefits (ideally, a case settles and a file closes). Still, there are more extensive benefits that all participants may benefit from. …