Typically, I wouldn't request that I speak to clients apart from their attorney, but this time I asked the attorney for permission and he strongly encouraged it. That's one of the the great things about mediation - it allows room for intuition and common sense.
The wife had been silent and supportive of her vigilant husband in front of counsel. When I talked to the husband and wife alone, it was clear to me that the biggest conflict was between them.
I began by telling them I knew that there was no amount of money that would make up for the wrong that they had suffered. The wife cried and expressed gratitude for this acknowledgment, saying,. "No one has ever said that to us before." Then, resolutely, but gently, she told her husband it was time to let go, that this five year struggle had cost their family enough. He prepared to argue, but then, understanding at last, sighed deeply and deferred to her.
I was able to settle the case within the next half hour.
David Geffen is a...
ADA Mediator • Reasonable Accommodation Mediator • FEHA Mediator • FHA Mediator • Employment & Housing Mediator • Wage & Hour Mediator • IDEA Mediator • Serious Personal Injury Mediator • Contract Dispute Mediator • Civil Rights Mediator • Real Property Mediator • Partnership Disputes Mediator • Business Disputes Mediator • ADA Expert • Reasonable Accommodation Expert
The wife had been silent and supportive of her vigilant husband in front of counsel. When I talked to the husband and wife alone, it was clear to me that the biggest conflict was between them.
I began by telling them I knew that there was no amount of money that would make up for the wrong that they had suffered. The wife cried and expressed gratitude for this acknowledgment, saying,. "No one has ever said that to us before." Then, resolutely, but gently, she told her husband it was time to let go, that this five year struggle had cost their family enough. He prepared to argue, but then, understanding at last, sighed deeply and deferred to her.
I was able to settle the case within the next half hour.
David Geffen is a...
ADA Mediator • Reasonable Accommodation Mediator • FEHA Mediator • FHA Mediator • Employment & Housing Mediator • Wage & Hour Mediator • IDEA Mediator • Serious Personal Injury Mediator • Contract Dispute Mediator • Civil Rights Mediator • Real Property Mediator • Partnership Disputes Mediator • Business Disputes Mediator • ADA Expert • Reasonable Accommodation Expert
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