I grew up idolizing the legal gladiators who seemed to slay giants endlessly in the courtroom, and as a young lawyer I wanted to “cut my teeth” and reach my maximum potential—financially and intellectually as soon as I could. I had no idea how mediation would become a critical tactic for effectively “trying” any case—even if it meant setting foot in a courtroom less often.
Don’t get me wrong. Whether it’s a new issue for the court, or one side views the case in a totally differently than the opposing side, many cases still and will always need the courtroom. Those of us who dreamed of making the courtroom our home will soon realize that most cases can be resolved through the mediation process. Due to a variety of factors, trial is not as economically sound an endeavor as it used to be, and there is still significant risk involved. Because the trial preparation and the mediation process are “close cousins,” focusing on effective mediation could save you considerable time and costs throughout the litigation process.
