ROADS TO Resolution ~ Closure ~ Certainty

There have been a number of ADA lawsuits filed in federal courts across the country recently. For lawyers using mediation to try to settle these cases, there are five key questions that are helpful for the mediator to know the answers to before mediation day. In this episode, Jean Lawler–commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator–draws from her experience as a mediator to discuss how it is hel...

“There are many reasons why it can be hard to settle a case, or why the case seems like it's unresolvable. But in fact, it really is resolvable.” In this episode, Jean Lawler–commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator–draws from her experience as a mediator to discuss ways lawyers can help the mediation process along when a case seems unresolvable.  Episode highlights include: How identif...

“If you are doing brackets, watch how they move and keep an eye on the midpoint. Are you seeing that the midpoint stays about the same? Does it go up, does it go down? What is the other party signaling?” In this episode, Jean Lawler–commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator–draws from her experience as a mediator to provide an overview for lawyers on the use of “bracketing” in mediation.  Epi...

“I don’t recommend that people negotiate to the point of wanting to have a mediator’s proposal. Ideally you and your clients are able to control your own negotiations, control your own outcome without needing that, but it's a wonderful tool to be able to be used when appropriate and when necessary.” In this episode, Jean Lawler–commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator–draws from her exp...

As a lawyer representing your client at mediation, have you ever asked for a mediator’s proposal when the numbers weren’t even close? Or have you ever given up on mediation too soon? Remember that in mediation, your goal is to get to the “dance floor” and dance . With each settlement offer you make, you are trying to narrow that “dance floor” to the point where you are within the range where a set...

Even if you’ve been in law practice for decades before switching to a mediation practice, it’s one thing to be an advocate in a mediation, and it’s another to be the neutral.  Developing and promoting you as a mediator involves developing your mediation skills and getting the word out about your mediation practice. In this episode, Jean Lawler–commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator–talks a...

Client service is key, no matter how big or small the mediation practice. Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, knows what it's like to “switch gears” from law practice to a mediation practice, and in this episode, Jean talks about the “client-facing” office operations aspect of running a mediation practice.  From how to have your office phone answered, to platforms to...

“First of all, remember that when you're starting your mediation practice, that you’re really starting a business.” Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, knows what it's like to “switch gears” from law practice to a mediation practice, and in this episode she shares her tips for how the seasoned-attorney-new-mediator can set up the “practice-facing” operations of a...

“I’ve said before when I go into a courthouse, I still get the feeling after all these years, when I stand outside the door like I want to just straighten my shoulders and take a deep breath and think, ‘wow, I’m an attorney, I’m an officer of the court, and I can go in, and I can make a difference in someone’s life, through this way, through the law.’” Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrato...

Insurance is a contract, and when Jean mediates an insurance dispute, she wants to look at the insurance policy, or at least the forms and the “dec page”.   Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, shares her thoughts for how advocates on both sides of an insurance case can help their clients in mediation.  Episode highlights include: Why advocates need to know the terms of the...

"The choices you make, they dictate your life." Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, reflects on her 40+ years as a lawyer.  From her time spent as a former managing partner of a law firm to that time she met Margaret Thatcher—Jean shares her wisdom on how lawyers can excel both at the office and at home, while reminding lawyers that you don’t have to be a superhe...

Litigation involves people, even if the dispute involves a business and even if it involves a multinational business.  Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, discusses two key areas to focus on to manage party expectations in mediation, in order to keep parties moving forward.  Episode highlights include: The steps attorneys can take before mediation to help manage their clie...

Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, talks to Natalie Armstrong-Motin, peacemaker and marketing consultant to the resolution industry. Episode highlights include: How dispute resolutionists can engage in professional development while helping to raise money for food banks around the world The current trend in how clients are using dispute resolution practitioners The critic...

Mediation day is a very important day for clients (and attorneys too!).  Commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean Lawler, discusses her three tips for how attorneys can approach mediation to help their clients accomplish their goals.  Episode highlights include: •What to focus on in mediation •How mediation can be used to build relationships •Why pre-mediation conference calls with the...

Meet the host, Jean Lawler.  As a commercial + insurance mediator and arbitrator, Jean shares her vision for the “roads” ahead for this podcast.  To connect with Jean Lawler, follow her on LinkedIn or find her at LawlerADR.com . To read the episode transcript, please see the Podcast Website .