Join me and a federal judge 7/10 for free noon CME/CLE!

My old colleague from the United States Attorney's Office in the early 1990s, current U.S. District Judge Paul G. Byron, and I will give a lunchtime Zoom for the ADR Section of The Florida Bar July 10, 2026 at noon ET about conducting federal mediation in the Middle District of Florida, as well as nuances in the Northern District and Southern District. We aim to dispel the impression that mediation in federal cases is somehow different or more difficult. In fact, the similarities are actually greater than the differences. All three federal district courts in Florida: Routinely require mediation; Treat mediation as part of case management; Require attendance by decision-makers; Protect confidentiality; and Expect counsel to participate seriously. Where they differ is primarily in local rules and administration. Attendees of this alternative dispute resolution online presentation will leave with a better understanding of how mediation functions as a structural component of federal civil practice in Florida, including magistrate judge-directed settlement conferences. Our program walks through the authority for mediation under federal rules, how each district implements the process differently, and if "good faith" truly means anything in federal court. Please provide your name and email address to register for this free CLE event. Once you have registered, you will be on the list to receive an email containing the Zoom Link to attend this course. If you do not receive a Zoom link by July 10th at 10 am, please email-- flabaradr@gmail.com. Thank you! See more info and register here-- https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSeJR7UPUqLb1vES3Kw9NhMQKeGD8NNbPOYIkcOVobRkdJ32Kw/viewform

Join us 10/30 as we reflect on 10 years!

Join us later this month on 10/30 at noon ET for a free CLE webinar as my esteemed colleague and I celebrate our 10th anniversary with ADR pioneers, Upchurch Watson White & Max Mediation Group. We thought we would share our combined wisdom gained from helping lawyers and participants of the process get to yes over the past decade. As the registration blast indicates, veteran circuit-civi mediators of the firm, Jeff Fleming and Lawrence Kolin, will take our attendees on a journey through a decade of lessons learned from serving as full-time professional neutrals, including: - How their perceptions of mediation have changed - Comparing Zoom with in-person mediations - Preparation and mediation summaries - Opening statement by the parties - Best timing for a mediation - How long mediations should last - Why some caucuses take so long - Using brackets effectively - Asynchronous negotiation - Managing expectations The Florida Bar has accredited this webinar for 1.0 hours of General Continuing Legal Education (CLE) and of course you may, as always, self-report Continuing Mediator Education (CME) credit to DRC. Register here-- https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_aMDTyUADSYG38xPgFZCGIg#/registration

Join us 4/2 for a Free Risk Assessment CLE/CME

Join me and my old friend and new UWWM colleague, Frank Bedell, for a free CLE Webinar at noon ET on Apri 2, 2024. We will explore a foundational understanding of risk assessments. The risk assessment is not about numerical accuracy. It is about reducing a complex claim environment to an easily understandable frame of reference so the client has a clear understanding of where they sit and the relative risk environment (understanding the litigation process and options for resolution). This includes finding agreement on the core claims, defenses, and issues, enough to make an informed valuation of the case. In the end, the objective of the risk assessment is alignment between client and counsel so a path forward can be responsibly outlined – and reevaluated as developments occur. We intend to offer some ideas in the problem-solving role of mediation and to encourage some innovation in the daily approach of settling lawsuits. This complimentary CLE is approved by the Florida Bar for 1.0 hour of general CLE credit. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. Register here-- https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/2621743033060336982

Mediation Week 2022

Every October, we celebrate the impact of the mediation process and its professionals on the many disputes in the world. Mediation Week in Florida and elsewhere marks the importance of dispute resolution as an effective substitute to litigation. In fact, mediation has helped litigants get through our recent challenges, evolving to widely accepted remote attendance allowing parties to resolve disputes without trial in a still backed-up court system. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) has been used by Florida courts for more than 30 years. Online Dispute Resolution (ODR) will now serve as an official option following the pandemic through sessions conducted with readily available technology. Florida's Dispute Resolution Center continues to require specific standards set by the Florida Supreme Court in the areas of county, family, circuit, dependency, and appellate mediation during these virtual sessions. Mediation week brings annual focus on ADR work and highlights how individuals, administrative agencies, and businesses can use mediation to develop efficient and customized solutions to conflicts. Just by searching #mediationweek online, you may find a variety of resources from venerable organizations like the American Bar Association (ABA) or the Federal Mediation and Concilliation Service (FMCS) which is celebrating its 75th anniversary with free programs on cutting-edge topics, practices, and examinations on conflict prevention, management, and resolution this week. See more here-- https://fmcs.zoomgov.com/webinar/register/WN_b03eGSkmQ_uK2CiCk0U1vQ

Free Online Mediation CLE/CME 3/18

Join us March 18th at 1:00 pm EST for Mediator’s Notebook = Attorney’s Toolbox, a free CLE/CME Webinar with 1.5 credits of CLE from The Florida Bar, but that's not all you'll gain by attending. Whether you are representing plaintiffs or defendants, you'll gain valuable insights on helping your mediator to put everyone's focus on the path to reasonable resolution. Attorneys can often help a mediator to assess what barriers to settlement may exist. We will address what pre-mediation preparation to consider. Additionally, we will cover laying the groundwork for ongoing discussions through messaging. It is often said a case is not worth a penny more than someone is willing to pay or a penny less than someone is willing to accept. We'll discuss how those most patient at mediation have the most to gain. More information and registration details here-- https://bit.ly/3toGkd3

Happy Zoom Year! Join Us 1/22/21!

Please join us later this month for the first program of our webinar series this year in conjunction with the University of Florida Institute for Dispute Resolution. Along with my longtime colleague and fellow mediator and arbitrator at our mediation firm, Michelle Jernigan, I'll go through current dispute resolution options in Florida as reopening of the courts remains uncertain until Covid-19 no longer presents a significant risk to public health and safety. Meanwhile, mediation, arbitration, nonbinding arbitration and early neutral evaluation are proving to be as effective online as they were in person. Which means of resolution fits the particular fuss? We'll discuss the features of each form of ADR. Join us for this free Webinar, scheduled for Noon on Friday, January 22, 2021, and you'll be eligible for one general CLE credit from The Florida Bar and self-reported CME to the Dispute Resolution Center. Please register here today-- https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/4952883580082820875

Join us 8/28 for free CLE/CME on Design Thinking in Mediation

Join me and my new UWWM colleague, April Walker, for a free CLE Webinar at noon Wednesday, August 28, 2019. We will explore the application of design thinking to the mediation process in Florida. Those who like to go beyond the day-to-day of alternative dispute resolution and apply other rubrics to improve outcomes should attend this interesting program. The formal title is "Design Thinking Applied to Mediation: Taking Advantage of the Informal and Non-Adversarial Nature of the Mediation Process" and it will look at principles that are successfully employed in other disciplines. For over fifty years, creative problem-solving approach designers have used these techniques to create new values that are different and make a positive impact. We intend to offer some ideas in the problem-solving role of mediation and to encourage some innovation in the daily approach of settling lawsuits. This complimentary CLE is approved by the Florida Bar for 1.0 hour of general CLE credit. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the webinar. https://register.gotowebinar.com/register/7035925939656754947