EP294 Top 10 Things to do for a Meaningful Mediation – With Patrick Russell
In this insightful conversation, Patrick Russell, of Meaningful-Mediation.com, a Florida-based attorney & mediator with over 30 years of legal experience, shares his top 10 tips for achieving a “meaningful mediation.”
Key points include:
- Schedule mediation only when parties are truly ready, with necessary information and discovery exchanged.
- Prepare with the intention to settle, not just posture.
- Manage client expectations to avoid unrealistic demands or disappointments.
- Build rapport with all parties to foster a constructive problem-solving environment.
- Have a clear negotiation plan and know your settlement number.
- Start negotiations with reasonable, well-reasoned offers.
- Share information to help the other side understand your perspective.
- Provide offers with clear rationale, not arbitrary numbers.
- Be flexible and willing to compromise, understanding both sides’ needs.
- Disclose your bottom line before leaving mediation, as it may lead to a last-minute resolution.
Russell’s insights emphasize the importance of preparation, communication, and a collaborative mindset in achieving successful mediation outcomes. Not all mediations successfully settle, but prepared parties and lawyers who take the time to ready their clients for the sitdown are much more likely to reach settlement than those who walk into mediation and hope the mediator can make a miracle happen.
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