Often when we are involved in a dispute with someone else we will project meaning onto their words or actions that they did not intend.  Did they sue us because they thought that we were a bad person or because they understand that the law provides a mechanism for compensation if we were injured due to negligence. Was this lawsuit brought to bankrupt me or because the other party had not been able to get my attention any other way.  Is it possible for two good and honest people to see things differently? (science tells us yes)

Before more hostility builds up in your dispute, you might consider the benefit of sitting down with the help of a trained mediator/facilitator to see if there is a way to resolve your dispute before the misunderstandings escalate the hostility, making resolution outside of court impossible.

One of the most common things I hear when I am mediating a case is “Carol do your magic”.  I like to think of myself as having special powers, but the truth is, like everything else in law, good preparation by the parties is the key to success in mediation.

Timing :  The first thing to consider is when is the time right to mediate this particular case.  If the case has the potential for high conflict but the parties need to maintain an ongoing relationship, it  makes sense to consider an early mediation.   Once litigation has begun and the discovery process is underway, it is easy for parties to attribute bad motives to the other side based on litigation tactics that lawyers deem necessary to properly prepare their case.  An early mediation can reduce the suspicion between the parties and allow them to find the areas of agreement and thus focus on finding solutions to the areas of disagreement.  Even if an early mediation does not fully settle a case it might show the parties what more they need to learn to come back to the table for a full resolution without having to engage in protracted discovery.  A mediation that is scheduled early also has the advantage of saving legal fees thus giving the parties more flexibility in settling their case.

Some cases require full discovery before a mediation can be attempted.  In a case where there are complex issues of fact or ongoing medical treatment it may be important for each side to fully understand the strengths and weakness of their case as well as that of their opponents before a meaningful conversation about settlement can be undertaken.   Appreciating the risks in your case is as important as understanding the strengths.

Understanding the particular needs of your client can be important in assessing the timing of the mediation.  For some people resolution of a dispute or settlement of a case is more important than the exact nature of the amount or terms of settlement.  On the other hand rushing a client to settlement might result in a settlement that does not take into account all relevant factors.

Prepare Your Client for the Mediation process.  Even though the mediator will explain the mediation process at the beginning of the session, many clients are simply too overwhelmed to really hear what the mediator is saying.  Surprised people act badly:  your client needs to understand that the opposing side expects that there will be movement in position at the mediation session and depending on the positions of the parties going into the session the movement is not always symmetrical. Clients need to be coached to listen carefully to the other side’s point of view.  While they do not have to agree with the other side’s position they need to understand it.  Listening with an open mind is not a natural skill for most of us. A failure to understand the other side’s strengths is the most common cause for a failed mediation.

Clients should be told that their demeanor and presentation can be very influential in a mediation.  How an opposing party will present as a witness at trial can be a very important factor in determining the settlement value of that case.

Be Prepared: By the time you get to a mediation session you should fully understand the strengths and weaknesses of your case as they are known at that point in the mediation.  You should be aware of the potential implications of unknown facts and how they might strengthen or weaken your case going forward.  You need to be able to make real to the mediator and more importantly to the other side how a jury or fact finder will see your client if this matter goes forward.  For example if your client has been injured and is no longer able to be a master gardener, pictures of his or her garden in the time period immediately before the accident could be a helpful tool of influence at the mediation.

Your mediation summary should include a concise recitation of the facts, a summary of special damages and any pictures or diagrams that will help place the dispute in a context.

If there is novel law that will be decided in the case an analysis of the law can be helpful.  Likewise if there are any recent changes in the case law or statutes that have occurred it would be good to reference those as well.

You should have contacted any entity, such as a lien holder, in advance of the mediation session to make sure that you have all the information necessary to make an informed decision of whether to settle.

At the Mediation Session: At any mediation session you are walking a tightrope of demonstrating confidence in your case and honest assessment of its weaknesses.  It is not a good idea to come into a mediation session with a fixed idea of how your case needs to settle.  It is a good idea to be ready to participate in coming up with ideas of how to settle the case that would work for your client and be able to demonstrate why they should work for the other side as well. Being able to understand the other side’s interests can often help generate options for settlement.  A good mediator will be open to your suggestions of how to move things forward while maintaining objectivity and a sense of fairness to both sides.  If a mediator senses that you do not understand your case or are not prepared to try it, it is difficult for the mediator to promote the strengths of your case to the other side.  The mediator’s job is to help the other side experience an increased awareness of the risks of not settling their case.  The more that you can assist the mediator in articulating that risk the better outcomes you will achieve for your clients.

This week, I have been watching them each day.  The pair have been behaving strangely though.  At least twice a day, they fly in tandem, diving and chasing each other.  First the male leads, and then the female.  They glide along on currents, never more than a few inches from each other.  I’m in awe of their huge wingspan and how their feathers flutter ever-so-slightly as they ride the air currents.  When they glide side by side the female’s underside is visible, all white with brown spots.  She may not be as recognizable as her bald-headed partner, but she is gorgeous!

Yesterday, we figured out what they have been doing – the flight patterns and games of “tag” are part of the eagle mating rituals.  You can see a different pair at this link – http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=geX14T3XUl0.

We’ve found another reason for you to join us on the river – the chance to see the bald eagle mating ritual!  New Hampshire is a wonderful place!

Carol and Melinda have specialized training and are  not involved in the actual dispute.

When the parties come to mediation they can expect to  spend some time together going over the history and background of the dispute so that each person can hear directly the  points of view or perspectives of the others involved.

We handle each case  on an individual basis.  Sometimes the parties will stay together as they try to work toward a mutually acceptable resolution.  Many times the parties spend time apart so the mediator can explore with them the options available and the risks of not resolving their dispute outside the court system.

The parties to a mediation hold the power to decide whether it is in their best interest to resolve a dispute and how to do it.  There is no one right way to evaluate this decision.  Hess Gehris mediators respect that the decision of how to resolve a dispute belongs to the individuals involved and not the mediator.

Sample Agreements:

• Sample Agreement to Mediate – Civil Case
• Sample Agreement to Mediate (Divorce)

Hess Gehris Solutions is located at 501 Hall Street in Bow New Hampshire.  Our offices are right on the Merrimack River, with a view of the river from every room.  We have comfortable conference room seating as well as deck and garden to allow people space to take a break.

We serve coffee, tea, soft drinks and snacks.

• A brief explanation of the important facts
• A brief review of the procedural status if there is a pending law suit
• A list of the key legal and factual issues
• An analysis of the damages
• A list of your strengths, both factual and legal
• A list of the strengths of others involved in the case
• The non-monetary needs of those involved
• Key documents, or a brief summary of those documents
• The status of discovery if litigation is pending
• The history of settlement discussions

 It may be important to communicate with Carol or Melinda before the mediation.  Some of the things you might want them to know before you arrive are:

•  Reasons the case has not settled
• Current barriers to settlement and any ideas for overcoming those barriers
• Prior relationships between those involved
• Any other information that would be helpful for the mediator to have