An open letter to lawyers who hate mediation joint sessions

Beyond Dispute

By Teresa F. Frisbie

Teresa F. Frisbie is the director of the Loyola University Chicago School of Law Dispute Resolution Program; a mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems of America; a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals; and of counsel to DeGrand & Wolfe P.C.

Posted January 20, 2015 2:26 PM

Thank you for taking a minute to read about a topic that you may find annoying and contrary to your views on advocacy. Given your years of experience and success as a lawyer, I appreciate your willingness to consider another point of view. My intent in writing this letter is not to be critical of your current mediation advocacy practice but merely to encourage a thoughtful discussion before the joint session in mediation goes the way of the Dictaphone. In talking to other lawyers and reviewing recent research on this …

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