August 5, 2019
When parties reach a settlement at a mediation, and memorialize their agreement in writing, the obvious expectation is that both parties will perform their obligations. Of course, it doesn’t always work out that way, and so the writing should also address the remedies for any breach. There are essentially two..
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August 1, 2019
Term sheets, MOU’s and other forms of abridged settlement agreements hastily drafted and executed at the conclusion of a mediation typically only contain the material terms of the settlement (with the parties contemplating that a more detailed document will be prepared at a later date). Given the time constraints under..
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July 28, 2019
Two of the primary approaches to mediation are facilitative and evaluative. Under the facilitative approach, the mediator orchestrates a process that facilitates communication between the parties concerning their respective interests and concerns. The mediator typically refrains, however, from sharing an opinion concerning the strengths or weaknesses of either side’s positions...
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Tags:July 22, 2019
A recent Ninth Circuit decision addresses an interesting question in the context of an insurance dispute: can a failed mediation trigger the start of a statute of limitations? See Gallahan v. Philadelphia Indem. Ins. Co., No. 18-35057, 2019 WL 2595502, at *1 (9th Cir. June 25, 2019). On February 5,..
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July 18, 2019
We have previously advocated that employers use mediation preemptively to quietly resolve discrimination claims and other workplace disputes before they escalate into litigation. The fact pattern described in a recent Seventh Circuit decision validates that recommendation. See Fields v. Bd. of Educ. of City of Chicago, No. 17-3136, 2019 WL..
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Tags:July 11, 2019
To deter parties from taking frivolous positions in connection with contractual relationships, agreements often contain fee shifting provisions that entitle a prevailing party to recover reasonable attorneys’ fees in any litigation arising under the agreement. The downside of fee shifting provisions, of course, is that they may deter parties from..
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Tags:June 30, 2019
We previously blogged about the process known as “med-arb” under which the parties to a failed mediation agree to retain the mediator to arbitrate their dispute. We also highlighted a particular application of med-arb under which the parties to a mediated settlement empower the mediator to arbitrate any disputes that..
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Tags:June 27, 2019
There are many benefits to resolving workplace disputes through mediation, including controlling legal expenses, avoiding adverse publicity, and maintaining employee morale. To realize these and other benefits of workplace mediation, many companies ask new employees to sign agreements to mediate and/or arbitrate any workplace disputes that may arise after employment..
June 20, 2019
When Memorializing a Mediated Settlement, Empower the Mediator to Resolve Any Disputes Over Language
To avoid any issue with the enforceability of an agreement in principle signed at the conclusion of a mediation, parties should agree in advance that if negotiations to memorialize the settlement in a more formal agreement break down, the mediator shall resolve any remaining disputes over language or otherwise. This..
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June 17, 2019
A recurring issue in post-mediation litigation is whether a barebones term sheet or other agreement in principle reached at the conclusion of mediation remains binding and enforceable even if subsequent negotiations to document the settlement in a more detailed formal agreement break down. We discussed this issue in an earlier..
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