20th Annual Northwest Dispute Resolution Conference

Presented by the Washington State Bar Association and
the University of Washington School of Law

Spotlight on JAMS Speakers: Lawrence Mills, Esq. and Hon. Eric Watness (Ret.)
Topic: Puffing, Bluffing and Deceit: Ethics of Truth in Negotiation
Friday, March 29, 2013 | 4:00 - 5:15 p.m.

This session features a practical discussion about truth in negotiation. Experienced panelists will present real life scenarios grounded in good settlement practices and rules of professional conduct where the ethics of telling the truth or hiding it affected the outcome of negotiations. Where is the line between good faith negotiation and unethical fraud?

Spotlight on JAMS Speaker: Hon. Wayne Brazil (Ret.)
Topic: Helping Parties Find Resolution: The Effect of Role and Voice in Mediation
Saturday, March 30, 2013 | 8:30 - 10:00 a.m.

In this moderated discussion, two former federal judges turned mediators will discuss how their views on mediation have evolved as they have transitioned from the judiciary to private practice. Topics explored will include how to set the tone for a mediation, how to decide how directive or facilitative to be and where they look to the lawyers in the case for help. Audience questions and participation will be encouraged.

Spotlight on JAMS Speaker: Hon. Terry Lukens (Ret.)
Topic: Risky Business
Saturday, March 30, 2013 | 10:10 - 11:15 a.m.

The evaluation of risk is an essential part of the mediation process. But risk analysis must be undertaken at the right time and under the right conditions to be productive in any given case. Through an interactive conversation with the audience that will include specific case examples, Tom Harris and Judge Lukens will discuss how to appropriately and effectively engage in risk analysis without alienating the parties or derailing the mediation.

Spotlight on JAMS Speaker: Hon. Wayne Brazil (Ret.)
Topic: Reciprocal Coaching to Avoid False Failure

Mediation works best if all participants are working to keep the process on track. In this session we'll explore some common sources of "false failure" in mediation and how the mediator can help avoid them through coaching. We will examine not only how the mediator can guide the participants but also how the mediator can elicit guidance from them. We will describe social science research that mediators might use to explain specific coaching suggestions and identify some of the ethical issues that can arise in the coaching process.

March 29-30, 2013
University of Washington School of Law
William H. Gates Hall
Seattle, WA 98195