The Dark Side of Mediation

The Dark Side of Mediation

Many attempts have been made to link theory to practice, yet mediation, particularly in the context of litigated cases, stubbornly defies scientific evaluation’s; That explains why I expected to dislike Debbie De Girolamo’s treatise, The Fugitive Identity of Mediation: Negotiations, Shift Changes and Allusionary Action.

The ADA Interactive Reasonable Accommodation Process

The ADA Interactive Reasonable Accommodation Process

The Americans With Disabilities Act (ADA) requires covered employers to grant reasonable accommodations to those otherwise qualified employees who are able to complete the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. The employer may negate the duty by showing that the only possible reasonable accommodations impose an undue hardship on the employer.

Mediation Privilege: The Twin Supports of Resolution (Part 2 of 2)

Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege: The Twin Supports of Resolution

The companion provision to mediation confidentiality is the mediation privilege, which makes evidence of mediation communications inadmissible in future legal proceedings. As with the confidentiality provisions discussed above, local laws are a crazy quilt, with only about half the states having adopted the UMA or similar provisions. The federal courts are even more inconsistent.

Strategic Questions For Dispute Resolvers

Strategic Questions For Dispute Resolvers

Asking questions is one of the most powerful – and often misused – tools for professionals in dispute resolution settings, whether legal, workplace, mediation or anywhere. When you are dealing with high-conflict clients, it is especially important to consider the timing of different types of questions and also to know what questions you should never ask. 

Mediation Confidentiality: The Twin Supports of Resolution (Part 1 of 2)

Mediation Confidentiality and Privilege: The Twin Supports of Resolution

Mediation is negotiation with the assistance of a neutral third party. It is a process, and like other processes has stages. Those stages are different depending on which role you play. But either way, each stage requires your active participation if you are to succeed. In this article we detail the 5 stages of mediation for mediators and disputants.

Components of Peace Agreements

Components of Peace Agreements

Most peace agreements address three main concerns: procedure, substance and organization. Procedural components set out the processes that establish and maintain peace. They delineate the HOW of a peace process by establishing the processes and measures that help build the peace. 

The Art of War in the Kingdom of Probate

The Art of War in the Kingdom of Probate

Of the contested matters pending in the probate courts in California, perhaps one in a hundred will be decided through a trial. The rest will be decided through alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes. As reflected by these figures, going to trial has become the alternative, and ADR, with its many facets, has become the norm.

Finding Your Way Through an Impasse

Finding Your Way Through an Impasse

Settlement conferences, mediations, and negotiations are often a great opportunity for a case. The parties can share their wishes and can create a solution to the problem that will not be available if a judge or jury decides the issue. When the parties are cooperating, negotiation may be incredibly productive and save the case from …

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Navigating the Emotional Stages of Divorce

Navigating the Emotional Stages of Divorce

Divorce is accompanied by a myriad of emotions, big and small. While each divorce stirs up different emotions depending on the individual situation, there are some similarities in the stages that people will go through as a divorce is approaching and carried through. These emotions are often broken up into six stages—disillusionment, dissatisfaction, decision, initiation, …

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Passing of the Torch RBG – Who Will Dissent?

Passing of the Torch Ginsberg

On Friday, September 18, Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg passed away at age 87 (1933-2020). I was still working (remotely) when I heard the news. The group texts began to slowly roll in. The news alerts started popping up on my phone. A friend called and we commemorated the life of “Notorious RBG” and …

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