I’ve long believed in the importance of bringing empathy to mediation proceedings. In fact, I hold it as one of the most important soft skills needed to create movement during a mediation. When opposing parties are empathetic towards each other, that allows them to move past their positions to their interests – what they really
Continue readingThe Role Of Optimism At Mediation & Using Opening Statements To Set The Tone
Blog Post: Optimism: The First of Three Soft Skills Every Mediation Needs What is the soft skill needed at every mediation to make progress on a file? Optimism! Click here to find out why it ranks #1 on my list of the most critical soft skills. Mediation Tip of the Month Priority/Loss Transfer Arbitrations Do you need an experienced arbitrator with
Continue readingOptimism: The First of Three Soft Skills Every Mediation Needs
Hard skills, such as legal expertise and preparation, are essential to bring to any mediation. But when soft skills are also brought to the table, I’ve found it significantly strengthens and amplifies those hard skills, the two combining together for the lawyers, clients, and mediator in effectively moving a stalled case along. What do I
Continue readingThe Benefits Of A Mediator With 360-Degree Perspective & Biases In Mediation
The Benefits Of A Mediator With 360-Degree Perspective A mediator with expertise, understanding, and experience in seeing how things play out at trial or in arbitration, can be a valuable asset when working to settle cases and move files forward. Mediation Tip of the Month: Keep an Open Mind! In mediation, actively work to recognize
Continue readingThe Power And Importance Of Opening Statements When Mediating Online
We are now one year into mediating online and entering the third wave of the Covid-19. After over a year of lock-downs and restrictions, many of us have become very comfortable with mediating online. Given the benefits of mediating online, I believe that this practice will be continued for at least the next several months,
Continue readingThere Is No Such Thing As A Failed Mediation
When I sit down with parties at a mediation, most of the time everyone at the table is interested in one thing above anything else: reaching a settlement. Unless one or more of the parties is determined to see their day in court, it’s clear that having a direct say in the outcome of a
Continue readingExcelling At Mediation: Practical Tips And Best Practices
Even the most confident and experienced lawyers and claims professionals probably feel a little uncertain when they walk into a mediation meeting room. No matter how prepared you are and how many times you’ve been in the same situation, you can never be certain how a session will play out. The particular facts of a
Continue readingHave You Considered Mediating Early (Before Discoveries)?
If the early bird gets the worm, does the early mediation get the settlement? Quite possibly – and it has the added potential to save all parties time, money, and relief from the uncertainties that come as some files advance through the system. In this blog post, I consider why you might want to meditate
Continue readingMaking The Most Of Half-Day Mediations
In this blog post, Marshall Schnapp provides some tips for making half-day mediations productive and time well-spent.
Continue readingGetting The Most Out Of Your Mediations
A new year is a time for reflection and resolutions. We seek to better ourselves personally and turn our mind to our professional practices as well. As counsel, you ask yourself how you can run your files differently than in the past and set up your practice in the new year for continued success. While
Continue readingRe-Elected To The Board Of Directors, ADR Institute Of Ontario
I wish to thank the membership of the ADR Institute of Ontario for electing me to serve another term on the Board of Directors. I will continue to work hard in this role and welcome input from all members on how ADRIO can best support them. Having established the Mediator Mastermind program, I will continue
Continue readingJoining The Board of Directors, Children’s Aid Society Of Toronto
Joining the Board of Directors, Children’s Aid Society of Toronto Placing the needs of children and youth first I am very pleased to share the news that on June 20, 2019, I will be joining the Board of Directors of the Children’s Aid Society of Toronto. I have a personal connection with CAST and a
Continue reading