Have you ever been to a mediation where no offers or demands were exchanged . . . and the case settled? Have you ever engaged a mediator – when the court has ordered mediation but it is months away – to serve as a “neutral case manager”, facilitating scheduling and discovery issues along the way. When is the last time you engaged in a “co-mediation”. Never?
These and many other exciting “best practices” were the subject of discussion at the recent annual training meeting of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN) in Denver. Imagine a room full of 120 of the most experienced neutrals in the country, each of whom is part of the organization by invitation, discussing trends, tips and tricks for 2 ½ days. It was a unique opportunity.