Mediator in the Middle

14. What Is The Goal Of Mediation? Litigators, Be Thoughtful About Your Objectives. With JJ Johnston and Abe Melamed

Lawyers often go to mediation without thinking through their objective in the mediation process.  Sure, we all know the goal is to resolve the case, but do the lawyers need an evaluative mediator who will be the voice of reason for their clients?  Do they need someone sympathetic to give their client catharsis?  Do they just need an opportunity to get all the relevant stakeholders in one room and negotiate?  It is critical for litigators to think about these objectives in advance of mediation so that they can best prepare and inform the mediator about how they can be most valuable.  In this episode, I discuss this topic with renowned employment mediator JJ Johnston.  We address some common pitfalls such as poor mediation briefs, poor preparation with clients, decisionmakers not being present, surprise evidence, and more.  To learn more about Abe Melamed visit: https://signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/abe-melamed/ [https://signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/abe-melamed/] To learn more about JJ Johnston visit: https://johnstonmediation.com/ [https://johnstonmediation.com/]

13. A Perspective From Both Sides: With Plaintiff Counsel Maria Bourn and Defense Counsel Mike Laurenson.

Maria Bourn is a partner with Gomerman, Bourn & Associates where she passionately advocates on behalf of plaintiffs in employment discrimination cases. Mike Laurenson is the leader of Gordon Reese's Northern California Trial Practice Group, and a passionate advocate on behalf of defendants in employment cases. In this conversation guided by mediator Abe Melamed, Maria and Mike ask each other about the tactics they each employ during mediations and the audience gets to peek behind the curtain of the strategies that drive both the plaintiff and defense in employment mediations.

12. Preparing for Class Action Mediations, with Steve Pearl and Abe Melamed

Steve Pearl is a well-respected class action mediator in California. He has been named a "Super Lawyer" in Dispute Resolution and Employment and Labor Law, and has been recognized by courts as "an experienced class action mediator" in approving class action settlements. Hear Steve and Abe discuss how to prepare for class action mediations and anecdotes of some of the toughest mediations Steve has assisted in resolving. Learn more about Steve and Abe at StevePearlMediation.com [https://www.stevepearlmediation.com/] and signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/abe-melamed [https://signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/abe-melamed/].

11. Listening Sessions During Mediation: Letting The Client Tell Their Story, with Sylvia Mayer and Abe Melamed

Sylvia Mayer is a nationwide arbitrator, mediator, and attorney with 30 years of legal experience. She's a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) and serves on a number of arbitration and mediation rosters. Hear Sylvia and Abe discuss what a listening session at the start of mediation is, why they are so critical to the mediation process, and how litigators can prepare their clients for listening sessions. Learn more about Sylvia and Abe at SMayerLaw.com [https://smayerlaw.com/] and MelamedMediation.com [https://www.melamedmediation.com/].

10. Mediation Secrets with David Kupfer, Abe Melamed & Jason Ingber

David Kupfer is a partner with Kasowitz Benson (any opinions and thoughts expressed in the episode are David's not his firm's).  Jason Ingber is a trial attorney and prolific podcast host.  Abe Melamed is a professional mediator.  In this cross-over episode between the Mediator in the Middle Podcast and The Jason Ingber Podcast, David and Jason grill Abe on maneuver/processes that lawyers can apply to settle cases and Abe's mediation show pitch to Netflix.  We also trade wild stories and dissect their results.