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/

To learn more about JJ Johnston visit: https://johnstonmediation.com/

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.

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 and signatureresolution.com/neutral-CPT/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 and MelamedMediation.com.

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.

The recent record settlement between Dominion Voting Systems and Fox News on the steps of the courthouse for $787.5 Million, was brokered by veteran mediator Jerry Roscoe from a riverboat and a tour bus, while on vacation. But what is a mediator anyway, and how did Jerry Roscoe help settle likely the largest defamation case in history? Tune in to this episode to hear renowned mediators Kyle-Beth Hilfer, Ruth Raisfeld and Abe Melamed discuss this historic settlement, what value a mediator brings to the table, when and why to mediate, mediation confidentiality, the role of apologies in mediation, and much more.

Learn more about Kyle-Beth HIlfer at: https://kbhilferlaw.com/

Learn more about Ruth Raisfeld at: http://rdradr.com/

Learn more about Abe at: https://www.mealmedmediation.com

Angela Reddock-Wright is a mediator and arbitrator with Signature Resolution in California. She specializes in employment law and is a champion for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) in the mediation process. Hear Angela and Abe talk about how lawyers can better recognize, understand and respect DEI issues with their clients, get ahead of sensitivities in pre-mediation, ask about religious practices and attire considerations, and be trauma-informed when going into mediation, and more. Learn more about Angela and Abe at SignatureResolution.com and MelamedMediation.com

Jeff Kichaven is in his third decade as a professional mediator in California. His passion is helping people make better decisions, and helping lawyers be better lawyers. Hear Jeff and Abe discuss the importance of understanding client temperament, how no two cases are the same, why lawyers need to think like mediators before a session, prepping clients to receive bad news, and much more. Learn more about Jeff and Abe at JeffKichaven.com and MelamedMediation.com

Chaim Book is a prominent employment lawyer based in New York, representing both plaintiffs and defendants. He's also a well-regarded mediator, and has been named a New York City Super Lawyer for 15 consecutive years. Hear Chaim and Abe discuss how lawyers can best prepare their clients for mediations, including understanding the process, negotiation tactics, mediation terms, preparing for bad news, and much more. Learn more about Chaim and Abe at BookLawLLP.com and MelamedMediation.com

Have you ever wanted to be a fly on the wall during a high-profile mediation of a sexual harassment case? Do you want to know what the mediation process is like from the points of view of not just the plaintiff, not just the defendant, but also the mediator? Today you can do just that, with this mock mediation of a sexual harassment case based on real facts from a real jury verdict. Listen to Mona Tashroudian, a skilled trial attorney and founding partner of Tashroudian Law Group, APC, duke it out with noted defense attorney Jeff Thurrell, the regional managing partner of the Irvine office of Fisher & Phillips. And listen as Abe Melamed - the creative mediator, assists the parties in exchanging information and bridging the gap to get to a mediator's proposal and resolution.

Learn more about Abe Melamed - The Creative Mediator, at melamedmediation.com

Learn more about Mona Tashroudian, at https://tashlawgroup.com/mona-tashroudian-esq

Learn more about Jeffrey Thurrell, at https://www.fisherphillips.com/people/jeffrey-r-thurrell.html?tab=overview