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MWI Mediator Roundtables:

Roundtables bring mediators and other practitioners together to discuss new ideas, strengthen ADR skills, and to provide opportunities to learn from and engage with top-notch presenters from the conflict resolution community. Roundtables are free for all active MWI mediators and guests.

Upcoming Roundtable Dates

Please register below for the Roundtables you wish to attend. We hope to see you there!


Location

  • All Roundtables take place via Zoom. A link will be provided upon registering.

Topic: Pre-Session Preparation for Mediators and Ethical Issues

Guest Speakers: Sharon Press and Terry Wheeler

Date: April 18, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Description: Mediators are adopting pre-sessions to engage with attorneys, parties, or participants before mediation, aiming to prepare them for the process. This discussion explores concerns about mediator impartiality in this preparatory phase. It delves into the extent to which mediators can provide conflict coaching, assist in developing negotiation strategies, address questions on confidentiality or privilege, and handle issues related to the enforceability of agreements. Terry Wheeler and Sharon Press lead the conversation on these topics and invite further exploration of related questions.

Register for this Roundtable

Topic: Tech in Mediation; Understanding Attitudes and Practices among Mediators

Guest Speaker: Mnotho Ngcobo

Date: May 22, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Description: This presentation is a look at how mediators use technology and have integrated it into their practice. Mnotho conducted a study compiling data to examine how mediators use technology and what their thoughts are towards integrating more technology moving forward.

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Topic: Robot Mediators: A Look at Dispute Resolution Technology

Guest Speaker: Gary Doernhoefer

Date: June 26, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Description: In this presentation, Gary Doernhoefer will take a deeper look at what AI technology really is and how it operates. After uncovering some of its mysteries, he’ll lead an interactive discussion on how some in the dispute resolution field are applying this technology in a variety of ways and are seeking to implement it in the future.

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Topic: Equity, Accessibility and Accountability in Dispute Resolution

Guest Speaker: Dan Berstein

Date: July 2, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m.- 1:30 p.m.

Description: In this discussion, Dan Berstein will share free resources that help conflict resolvers [1] practice in accessible and equitable ways that work for parties of varying ability levels, diversity backgrounds, and preferences; [2] be ready for when parties speak up with requests, complaints, or unexpected choices (amidst environments filled with power balances and systemic biases); and [3] appreciate accountability mechanisms for mediator misconduct.  Whatever your personal style of practice, all dispute resolvers follow some universal core ethics of impartiality, self-determination, and compliance with civil rights laws.  This discussion will leave you with simple tools to operationalize all of these vital principles.

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Topic: The Organizational Ombuds; What a Mediator or Other Dispute Resolution Professionals Might Want to Know About This Unique Role

Guest Speakers: Dana Hinojosa & Elisa Ramos

Date: August 28, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Description: This presentation explores the role of an organizational ombuds and the various benefits they can bring to the organizations they partner with.

 

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Confidentiality in Mediation: What Does Massachusetts Law Protect, and Not Protect?

Guest Speakers: David Hoffman and Robin DiGiammarino

Date: September 11, 2024

Time: 12:30 p.m. – 1:30 p.m.

Description: Please join special guests David Hoffman and Robin DiGiammarino as they discuss their recent collaboration in defending mediators’ confidentiality after Robin was served with a subpoena for her work in connection with an MWI mediation and David represented her in getting the subpoena quashed.  They will discuss the process from receiving the subpoena to their appearance in Court. This discussion will also explore more generally the confidentiality protections provided in Mass. General Laws Chapter 233 Section 23C and the parties’ agreement to participate in mediation.

Register for this Roundtable


Roundtable Feedback Form

After each Roundtable, please complete the Roundtable survey to provide feedback. Thank you!


For More Information

For more information about MWI’s Roundtables, please contact Clarice Parsons at courtmediation@mwi.org or 617-895-4030.