Two developments occurred regarding mediation confidentiality during the first week of February. First, on Monday, February 1, 2016, the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral argument in Craig Milhouse v. Travelers Commercial Insurance, Case Nos. 13-56959 and 13-57029. Dr. and Mrs. Milhouse suffered the total loss of their home [Read More]
In January 2016, the Second Appellate District of the California Court of Appeal decided a case in which the issue was essentially caused by the Legislature’s refusal to fund the judiciary. In Castillo v DHL Express (USA) et al, Case No. B25843, ( B258432 ) plaintiff filed a class action complaint alleging [Read More]
Recently, I attended the California State Bar Convention. One presentation was entitled “Tackling Emotion in Mediation: Tips for Dealing with People in Conflict.” The panelists were Claudia Hagadus Long, Esq.; David M. Miller, Esq. and Randy Kolin, Psy.D. Based on the many, many mediations I have conducted, I have found [Read More]
Mediators find more tools through neuroscience By Susan Kostal - ABA Journal Phyllis Pollack. Photograph by Jonah Light Mediators and other practitioners of alternative dispute resolution are using information gleaned from the research of world-class neuroscientists to calm emotions and help mediations resolve more easily. With the advent [Read More]
Several weeks ago, I posted a blog about the proposals voted on by the California Law Revision Commission to make certain changes to mediation confidentiality in California. At its August 8, 2015 meeting, the Commission proposed creating several exceptions to mediation confidentiality that would allow; (1) Both lawyers representing clients [Read More]
In most disputes, when people get angry- it is a bad sign! It usually means that the dispute will NOT get resolved, and that one or the other party will leave in a huff. Indeed, neuroscience teaches us that when the parts of our brain that control our emotions are operating [Read More]
Californians have a reputation for being litigious; for making mountains out of mole hills. Judge Kozinski of the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals minces no words on this point. A very small “tiff” got very much out of hand apparently because neither party had the courage (or common sense?) to [Read More]
Previously published in the September 2015 issue of "Advocate" Magazine, Pages 44-55 The September 2015 issue of Advocate (Journal of Consumer Attorneys Associations for Southern California) focuses on ADR-Choice is Good. I am privileged to contribute an article on mediation confidentiality and re-print it here. It may be found [Read More]
