Arbitration & Mediation

Isolated? Miss Firm Practice? Join the ADR Online Discussion Group

By Victoria Pynchon

Mediation is a far lonelier profession than legal practice.  If we are actively mediating, our daily work is done confidentially within four walls without observers or colleagues with whom to discuss our questions and concerns.  If you were a litigator like I was, your days once teemed with colleagues, clients and observers -- associates, judges, co-counsel, joint defense attorneys, strategic partners, associates, clerks, legal assistants and, yes, the guys in the mail room! 

You don't truly appreciate what a vibrant community a law firm is until you begin a mediation practice where -- shoot -- you don't even get to act anymore!

Now there's a place for us online to share our thoughts, opinions, ideas, feelings, even our insecurities about this wide-open, unregulated, un-standardized practice of ours -- an ADR listserv started by a man known to and respected by so many of us -- mediator Lee Jay Berman.  

To join simply click on this link -- Group description below.

Thanks Lee Jay ! 

This group is a worldwide gathering of all who call themselves mediators, arbitrators and/or peacemakers, and who do this work, in any forum. Please join us, for dialogue, information, networking (both professional and social), and camaraderie. This group is intended to serve as an international listserve, allowing all of us who do this work to share information, discuss policy, ask questions, ask for help, seek out training and conferences, and share news and discussion.

Originally conceived of by the International Subcommittee of the State Bar of California's Standing Committee on ADR, this group does not have any affiliations with any single organization, including the State Bar of California. All mediators, arbitrators and peacemakers are welcome to join the conversation.

Full post as published by Settle It Now Negotiation Blog on April 23, 2008 (boomark / email).