Conventional wisdom says that emotions have no place in the legal world. Emotions are messy, complicated and illogical. They don’t fit within the statutes or on the documents lawyers create. They may in fact require lawyers to engage in nonlegal thinking.

But emotions can be important—even necessary—challenges for resolving disputes. As a mediator, I am frequently called upon to help resolve disputes in which emotions play a significant role. With the aid of tools and techniques honed over the course of my career, I must often help lower the emotional temperature so that the parties are able to successfully resolve their disputes.

Identifying Emotional Issues and Triggers