Bilingual Mediations? Yes, With Caveats
By Jose G. Rodriguez Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In its recent advisory opinion (2021-002), the Mediation Ethics Advisory Committee of the Florida Supreme Court addressed that question and provided guidance for compliance. First it opined that mediators are not prohibited from conducting bilingual mediations, however, per its...
A Brief Discussion of the History and Future of Mediation in the US
By: Andrew Y. Winston Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In recent years, mediation has become one of the most frequently utilized process of conflict resolution. However, while its use has not always been so prevalent, it has deep historical roots. Historians believe the origins of mediation date to...
So Close, Yet So Far
By: Philip G. Thompson Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator You have been in mediation for several hours representing one of the parties in a hotly contested case. Because we are still dealing with the Covid-19 Pandemic (Thanks Delta and Omicron!), chances are this...
Philip G. Thompson Becomes Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator
Philip G. Thompson of MediationWorks has earned the distinction of Florida Supreme Court Qualified Arbitrator. This certification allows Thompson to offer arbitration services throughout Florida. Arbitrator Thompson has been a lawyer for over twenty-five years and is an active civil trial lawyer, handling cases for both plaintiffs and defendants. He...
Go ahead, Make My Day (By Settling Your Case): Movie Quotes and Mediation “Dont’s”
By: Ira S. Bergman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator One of my favorite movie lines is from Casablanca,1 considered by many to be the greatest movie ever made. If you haven’t seen it, I urge you find some quiet time this weekend, pop some popcorn, dim the lights,...
The Stockholm Syndrome and Mediation
By: Donald G. Korman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator Stockholm Syndrome: feelings of trust or affection that are felt in many cases of kidnapping or hostage taking by a victim toward their captor. The term “Stockholm Syndrome” was first used when in 1973 during a failed bank robbery...
Tips for a Successful Mediation
By: Andrew Y. Winston Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator When many of us attended law school, it was with the intention of becoming litigators and trial lawyers. Being in the courtroom, questioning witnesses, arguing to the fact-finder(s), objecting…all these things have long been romanticized in literature and popular...
Is Appearance at Mediation Mandatory?
By: Eric H. Luckman Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator In a recent 3rd DCA opinion (Alvarez v. Citizens, July 21, 2021), the issue before the Court was whether the trial judge exceeded her authority in dismissing a homeowners’ insurance case due to a plaintiff’s failure to appear at...
Mediator Andrew Y. Winston Joins MediationWorks
MediationWorks is pleased to announce the addition of attorney Andrew Y. Winston to the company as its newest Mediator and Arbitrator. Mediator Winston is a Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediator. He has been a litigator and trial lawyer in the state of Florida for over 26 years. During...
Mediation of Insurance Disputes in Fort Lauderdale
Mediation is a non-binding process in which a neutral third party helps you and your insurance company to reach a mutual agreement over an insurance dispute. Florida law allows parties to an insurance dispute to participate in mediation for several types of insurance claims. Mediation is implemented by mediators who...