Mob Rules: Mediating Disputes and The Art of Compromise

Mob Rules and The Art of Compromise

Those who know the Mafia only through the media will probably have trouble believing that the Mob goes to great lengths to avoid violence. The “Docile Don,” Angelo [Bruno] hated violence and valued negotiation and peace above all. – George Fresolone and Robert J. Wagman, Blood Oath The Mob’s main instrument for resolving disputes is …

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Pointed Finger Mediation

Pointed Finger Mediation

By Bill Eddy One day I was meeting with a husband and wife for their second or third divorce mediation session. They were high-powered, both in upper management positions. I thought that their family mediation would be like a business meeting. But no! At the beginning of this session, the husband leans over shaking his …

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Prevent Conflict

Prevent Conflict

Preventing and avoiding conflict is a basic human need and reaction. Conflict can be messy, emotionally, and overwhelming, so if it can be prevented, most of us would choose to do so. Unfortunately, conflict is a part of everyday life. It can be difficult to avoid it entirely without creating a life that holds nothing …

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Caucus Mediation

Caucus Mediation

When parties have difficulty discussing the issues with the other party in the room, the mediator may decide to move to caucus mediation. Caucuses can be a powerful tool in mediation, but some downsides need to be considered when considering a caucus. The mediator’s style will also impact when caucuses are used. Some mediators will …

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Is Mediation Mandatory?

Requiring parties to participate in mediation before a lawsuit is becoming more common, but it has many parties questioning if mediation is mandatory and what the implication of making it mandatory is doing to the mediation process.  Mediation was created as an alternative process to litigation to help the parties attempt to resolve their disputes …

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What is a communication coach?

What is a communication coach?

Communication is the key to achieving a lot in the world, so when communication does not come as easy, it can be not easy to move forward in a career or effectively negotiate for something that you want.  This is where the skills and work of a communication coach may come in.  Communication coaches are …

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The Mediator’s Role in Family Mediation

The Mediator's Role in Family Mediation

Divorce is ranked second on the list of stressful events in one’s life, the first being death of a spouse. This is an emotional time for the parties. However, the only purpose of most settlement meetings is to resolve the outstanding legal issues in the divorce. Emotions and post-divorce dynamics are rarely factored into them.

Legal Representation: Why Should I Hire an Attorney?

Legal Representation

As disputes arise and parties are beginning to consider some form of legal action or resolution process, the parties will likely be considering legal representation.  There are a variety of factors that will go into a party’s decision on whether or not to hire a lawyer, and there are benefits and drawbacks to hiring a …

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Mediation vs. Litigation

Mediation vs. Litigation

For those facing the need to resolve a dispute, they may return to the common question of whether mediation or litigation is the best option to resolve the dispute.  Comparing the two processes will often result in a lot of differences, and the types of resolution are very distinct.  However, this does not intrinsically mean …

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Oath in the Courtroom-Nothing but the Truth

Most people have watched a witness stand, raise their right hand, and state the oath in the courtroom before giving their testimony, either in person or by watching a show about the court.  A lot of people could probably recite the oath from memory as well.  Yet many people may not understand the purpose of …

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