Last week, I posted a blog about an article in the New York Times discussing the lost art of active listening. (“Are You Listening?”). It seems that my blog post was very timely because NPR just published an article on the loneliness of Americans. (“Most Americans Are Lonely, And Our [Read More]
One of the first things a mediator in training is taught is to listen, really listen what the parties are saying. Aka “Active Listening”! Well, it seems that the need and ability to listen is a trait that many in the general population should also learn. A recent article in [Read More]
In 2018, I wrote a blog about mediating in “good faith”. It involved a mediation in which defense counsel admitted that she was there ONLY because the court had ordered the mediation; her client was not inclined to settle or to offer anything in settlement. This posed the question: was [Read More]
During 2019, the California Legislature passed some interesting laws aimed at leveling the playing field on equality. The first law that caught my attention involves implicit bias. Several weeks ago, I posted a blog about the existence of implicit biases among Emergency Room physicians. The California Legislature was also aware [Read More]
A recent appellate decision from the Fourth Appellate District in San Diego teaches that a party who allegedly signs a document electronically can still successfully challenge her signature. In Fabian vs Renovate America, Inc., Court of Appeal, Fourth Appellate District, Case No. D075519 ( issued November 19, 2019; published December [Read More]
“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.” — Calvin Coolidge I start this blog with this quote because the Christmas season tends to change our perspective [Read More]
Like many mediators, I usually serve some food during a mediation (along with water, coffee, tea etc.). Many of the participants are surprised and pleased when they come into the conference room and are greeted by these goodies. They probably think I am simply being hospitable. I am being more [Read More]
Recently, my husband handed me an article from the Washington Post which he saw while in D. C. on a business trip. It discusses implicit bias in the Emergency Room (ER) and thus, has nothing to do with mediation but everything to do with the biases we bring to everyday [Read More]
