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All right, future lawyers, let's
dive into something you might 

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not be hearing enough about in 
your classes. 

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Oh yeah? 
What's that? 

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Mediation. 
Interesting choice. 

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It's actually super important 
for legal pros. 

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It is for sure. 
And guess what? 

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What it's not all about, you 
know, courtroom drama. 

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Right. 
Not just the exciting stuff you 

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see on TV. 
Exactly. 

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Yeah, today we'll be taking a 
deep dive into. 

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Into a specific source. 
Yeah, awesome. 

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The power of mediation, a vital 
tool for legal professionals. 

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Okay. 
And this episode was actually 

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inspired by a whole chapter in a
book about, you know, mediation 

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basics. 
Very cool. 

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So think of this deep dive as a 
sneak peek. 

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Oh, I like sneak peeks. 
Into the world beyond just, you 

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know, going to court and 
arguing. 

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OK, so beyond litigation, right?
So why should law students care 

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about this? 
Well, I'm sure you're all super 

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busy. 
Oh yeah, between torts and 

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contracts and all that. 
Exactly. 

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But here's the thing. 
Most legal disputes don't 

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actually end up in court. 
Really. 

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Yeah. 
That's why mediation is so 

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important. 
It offers a way to resolve 

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things outside of that, you 
know, adversarial system like. 

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Without all the fighting and the
judges and the juries and all 

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that. 
Exactly, and trust me, these 

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skills are pure gold for any 
lawyer. 

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So even if I don't want to be 
like a full time mediator. 

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Even then, yeah. 
Okay, got it. 

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So it's about being like a 
well-rounded lawyer. 

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Yeah, someone who can solve 
problems and see things from 

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different sides. 
Clients want that, right? 

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Absolutely. 
They value that kind of approach

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big time. 
Makes sense, Yeah. 

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Okay, so let's break down 
mediates like. 

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What are the key principles 
here? 

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Okay, so the first one and this 
is like the foundation of it 

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all. 
Okay, hit me with it. 

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Voluntariness. 
Voluntariness. 

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OK, break that down for me. 
So basically it means everyone 

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involved has to choose to be 
there. 

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Oh, so no one's forced into it? 
Right. 

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It's not like a court order 
where you have to show up. 

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OK. 
Yeah, that makes sense. 

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This choice is what makes 
mediation different from going 

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to court or even arbitration. 
Because in those you're kind of 

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stuck there, right? 
You have to follow the rules and

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the procedures. 
Yep, decisions are often made 

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for the people involved, not by 
them. 

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Interesting. 
So in mediation, it's more about

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empowering the people in the 
dispute. 

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Exactly. 
They find their own solutions. 

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And that makes them more likely 
to actually stick to the 

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agreement. 
Right. 

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It's not about being forced to 
comply, it's about genuine buy 

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in. 
I can see how that would be more

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effective in the long run. 
For sure. 

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So how does a future lawyer, 
someone like our listeners, how 

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do they put this principle into 
practice? 

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That's a great question. 
It all starts with creating the 

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right environment. 
Whether you're representing a 

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client in mediation or you're 
the mediator yourself, your job 

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is to make it a collaborative 
process. 

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So no. 
So strong arming people into a 

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solution. 
Nope, that's a common 

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misunderstanding about 
mediation. 

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What do you mean? 
It's not about figuring out 

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who's right or wrong legally, 
OK. 

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It's about finding a solution 
that works for everyone's needs 

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and interests. 
Interesting. 

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So even if I think my client has
the better argument, I shouldn't

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go in there like guns blazing. 
Exactly right. 

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It's not about winning and 
losing, It's about finding 

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common ground. 
It sounds like it takes a real 

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mindset shift, especially for 
law students. 

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It does. 
You're used to thinking in terms

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of arguments and precedents. 
Right, winning the case. 

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But embracing that collaborative
spirit is key to making 

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mediation work. 
OK, got it. 

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So that's voluntariness. 
What's next? 

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Confidentiality. 
Oh interesting, so like what 

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happens in mediation stays in 
mediation? 

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Pretty much, yeah. 
Like Vegas for legal disputes. 

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Well, not exactly, but you get 
the idea. 

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It's about creating a safe space
for people to be open and 

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honest. 
Because if they're worried about

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their words being used against 
them later. 

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They're not going to say much, 
are they? 

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No way, right? 
So confidentiality encourages 

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transparency. 
Allows people to talk about 

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their weaknesses and be more 
creative with solutions. 

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Exactly. 
Without fear of it backfiring on

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them, yeah. 
And for future lawyers, this is 

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all about building trust, right?
Exactly. 

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Your clients need to know that 
what they share is protected. 

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So it's like attorney-client 
privilege, but for the whole 

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mediation process. 
Yeah, you. 

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Could say that. 
Interesting. 

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This confidentiality allows for 
a level of openness that can 

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lead to real breakthroughs. 
Gotcha. 

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So we've got voluntariness, 
confidentiality. 

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What's the third piece of this 
mediation puzzle? 

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The mediator. 
Oh, right, of course. 

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And their role is super 
important, I bet they guide the 

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whole process. 
OK, so the podcast we're looking

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at, they use a great example. 
Oh yeah. 

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What's that? 
A workplace dispute where two 

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colleagues are always butting 
heads. 

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Classic office drama. 
Right over project 

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responsibilities and stuff. 
Well, I've seen that play out so

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many times. 
So in a situation like that, a 

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good mediator doesn't just sit 
back and watch the fireworks. 

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No way. 
They're actively involved, 

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right? 
They're like a neutral 

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facilitator, guiding the 
conversation, helping the party 

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see each other's perspectives. 
No, not a judge, not an 

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arbitrator, right? 
More like a referee. 

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Yeah, that's a good analogy. 
They ensure fairness, make sure 

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everyone gets a chance to. 
Speak, but they don't actually 

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decide the outcome. 
Well, that's still up to the 

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parties. 
OK, So what skills does a 

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mediator need to be effective? 
Well, active listening is 

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crucial. 
What does that mean in this 

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context? 
It's about truly hearing what 

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each person is saying, not just 
the words but the emotions 

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behind them. 
Oh, I see you're trying to 

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understand their deeper 
interests and concerns. 

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So it's not just about the legal
arguments, it's about the why 

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behind the conflict. 
Exactly. 

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And that brings us to another 
key skill, empathy. 

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Oh, empathy makes sense. 
A good mediator can put 

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themselves in each person's 
shoes. 

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See things from their side. 
Yeah, and help them explain 

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their needs in a way that the 
the other person can understand.

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I can see how these skills would
be helpful in any legal setting,

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not just mediation. 
You got it. 

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Whether you're negotiating a 
contract, advising a client. 

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Exactly. 
Even just trying to understand a

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complex legal issue. 
Being able to listen, empathize,

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and facilitate communication. 
Those are valuable skills. 

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Absolutely, they'll take you 
far. 

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OK. 
So we've covered voluntariness, 

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confidentiality, the role of the
mediator. 

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Those are the big three. 
It's clear that mediation is 

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more than just some niche area 
of law. 

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It's a skill set that can 
benefit any lawyer, Absolutely. 

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And you know what? 
You don't have to wait till 

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you're a seasoned attorney to 
start honing these skills. 

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That was a good point. 
You can begin practicing right 

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now in law school. 
Really. 

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Even with exams and readings 
piling up. 

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Oh yeah. 
Wow. 

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OK, so and tell me more about 
that. 

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Well, the beauty of it is that 
these skills aren't limited to a

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specific area of law. 
So it's not like I need to be a 

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certified mediator to benefit 
from this knowledge. 

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Not at all. 
Let's get practical. 

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OK, I like practical. 
What can our listeners start 

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doing today, even while they're 
still in law school? 

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Yeah, what can they do to bite 
these mediation muscles? 

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The first thing is to become a 
master listener. 

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But I already listened to 
lectures all day. 

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Yeah, but active listening is 
different. 

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Oh. 
OK, so it's more than just 

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hearing the words. 
Exactly. 

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You're trying to understand the 
message, the emotions, the 

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underlying needs of the speaker.
OK, so less interrupting, more 

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engaging. 
Yes, and as you improve this 

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skill, you'll be surprised how 
much deeper your understanding 

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of legal issues becomes. 
You'll start to see things you 

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might have missed before. 
Exactly like nuances and 

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different perspectives. 
That makes sense. 

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It's like taking those legal 
concepts from the textbook and 

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seeing how they play out in real
life, right? 

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OK, so active listening is key. 
What else can our listener do to

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prepare for a future where 
mediation might be more common? 

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This might sound 
counterintuitive, but try 

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practicing neutrality. 
Neutrality. 

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I know law school is all about 
advocating and making persuasive

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arguments, right? 
But it's important to step 

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outside that adversarial mindset
sometimes. 

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So like during those mock trial 
sessions? 

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Exactly or negotiation 
exercises. 

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Try to see the case from both 
sides. 

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Yeah, imagine you're the 
mediator. 

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How would you approach the 
situation? 

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What would I ask? 
Yeah. 

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What questions? 
How would you help the parties 

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find common ground? 
Interesting. 

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So in a mock trial, instead of 
just building the strongest case

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for my side, I should try to 
understand the strengths and 

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weaknesses of the other side's 
argument. 

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Exactly. 
It'll broaden your perspective 

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and help you anticipate 
potential counter arguments. 

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I can see how that would be 
helpful even if I'm not actually

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mediating. 
Right. 

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It forces you to consider all 
angles and attach from your own 

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biases. 
Which is crucial in any legal 

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setting, whether you're 
mediating, negotiating or 

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litigating. 
Absolutely. 

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OK, so active listening 
neutrality. 

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What else? 
Start thinking beyond win lose 

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outcomes. 
OK, but that's how the legal 

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system works. 
Someone wins, someone loses. 

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I know, but mediation challenges
that binary thinking. 

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How so? 
It encourages us to look for 

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solutions that benefit everyone 
involved. 

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Even if it means no one gets 
exactly what they initially 

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wanted. 
Exactly. 

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It's about compromise, 
collaboration, finding that 

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sweet spot where everyone can 
walk away feeling heard. 

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OK, so it's not about sticking 
to rigid legal positions, right?

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It's about finding creative 
solutions. 

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Exactly. 
I like it. 

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That's a great way to think 
about it. 

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It's not just about winning a 
case, it's about finding a 

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resolution that actually works 
for everyone involved. 

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Couldn't set it better myself. 
OK, I'm convinced mediation is 

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more than just a buzzword. 
It's a valuable skill set and a 

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different way of approaching 
legal problems. 

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It's like adding a new tool to 
your legal toolbox. 

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Yeah, expanding your options 
beyond just going to court. 

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Right. 
And you know what? 

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Clients really care about 
results. 

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Oh, for sure. 
And sometimes the best result 

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isn't a courtroom victory. 
Interesting. 

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It's a mediated agreement that 
allows everyone to move forward 

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and maybe even preserve those 
relationships. 

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Right, because sometimes the 
parties have an ongoing 

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relationship, like business 
partners or family members, and 

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in those cases a mediated 
agreement can help maintain 

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those relationships. 
While still achieving a fair 

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resolution for everyone. 
OK, I'm starting to see the 

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bigger picture here. 
Good mediation isn't just about 

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resolving disputes, right? 
It's about understanding 

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people's needs, finding common 
ground, and ultimately building 

240
00:09:59,000 --> 00:10:01,440
a more harmonious future. 
That's the goal. 

241
00:10:01,520 --> 00:10:06,040
It's about finding that win, 
win, or at least win acceptable.

242
00:10:06,040 --> 00:10:08,080
Right where everyone feels like 
they guide something out of. 

243
00:10:08,080 --> 00:10:09,840
It exactly. 
It's a totally different way of 

244
00:10:09,840 --> 00:10:12,880
thinking about things. 
OK, so we've talked about the 

245
00:10:12,880 --> 00:10:17,480
big ideas of mediation. 
Yeah, but how can our listeners 

246
00:10:17,760 --> 00:10:20,320
actually start using these 
skills, right? 

247
00:10:20,520 --> 00:10:22,960
Like right now, while they're 
still in law school. 

248
00:10:23,000 --> 00:10:24,320
That's the key, right? 
Yeah. 

249
00:10:24,320 --> 00:10:27,440
They don't have to wait, exactly
because the legal world is 

250
00:10:27,440 --> 00:10:30,240
changing. 
Clients are starting to look for

251
00:10:30,240 --> 00:10:32,960
alternatives to going to court. 
Oh, really? 

252
00:10:32,960 --> 00:10:37,480
Yeah, they want things to be 
faster, less expensive, and less

253
00:10:37,480 --> 00:10:39,520
combative. 
Less adversarial, yeah. 

254
00:10:39,680 --> 00:10:42,040
And mediation checks all those 
boxes. 

255
00:10:42,200 --> 00:10:44,640
It does for sure. 
Plus, it empowers people to come

256
00:10:44,640 --> 00:10:46,720
up with their own solutions. 
With the help of a neutral 

257
00:10:46,720 --> 00:10:47,960
mediator, of course. 
Of course. 

258
00:10:48,160 --> 00:10:50,160
Right. 
So it's not just about ending 

259
00:10:50,160 --> 00:10:53,520
the dispute, it's about actually
preserving relationships. 

260
00:10:54,120 --> 00:10:55,800
And getting people to buy into 
the outcome. 

261
00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,640
Exactly. 
OK, So to recap, yeah, mediation

262
00:10:58,720 --> 00:10:59,760
is confidential. 
Yep. 

263
00:11:00,000 --> 00:11:04,360
It's voluntary and it's 
facilitated by a neutral third 

264
00:11:04,360 --> 00:11:05,160
party. 
Got it. 

265
00:11:06,120 --> 00:11:09,040
So how can our listeners start 
developing these skills? 

266
00:11:09,920 --> 00:11:12,480
Well, First off, they got to 
become master listeners. 

267
00:11:12,640 --> 00:11:14,400
Wait, but I already listened to 
lectures all. 

268
00:11:14,400 --> 00:11:15,400
Day. 
I know, I know. 

269
00:11:15,400 --> 00:11:17,440
But active listening is a whole 
different ball game. 

270
00:11:18,280 --> 00:11:20,240
Oh, OK. 
It's about more than just 

271
00:11:20,240 --> 00:11:21,560
hearing the words. 
Right. 

272
00:11:21,560 --> 00:11:24,720
It's about understanding the 
message, Yeah, the emotions, the

273
00:11:24,720 --> 00:11:26,160
underlying needs. 
Exactly. 

274
00:11:26,160 --> 00:11:28,240
You got to be able to read 
between the lines. 

275
00:11:28,400 --> 00:11:31,760
So less interrupting and more 
engaging. 

276
00:11:31,760 --> 00:11:33,120
Absolutely. 
You got to show the speaker that

277
00:11:33,120 --> 00:11:35,760
you're really paying attention. 
By asking clarifying questions 

278
00:11:35,760 --> 00:11:36,960
and stuff. 
Exactly. 

279
00:11:36,960 --> 00:11:40,640
And as you get better at this, 
you'll be amazed at how much 

280
00:11:40,640 --> 00:11:43,240
deeper your understanding of 
legal issues becomes. 

281
00:11:43,400 --> 00:11:44,840
Oh really? 
Yeah, You'll start to see 

282
00:11:44,840 --> 00:11:47,080
nuances and different 
perspectives that you might have

283
00:11:47,080 --> 00:11:49,560
missed before. 
It's like taking those legal 

284
00:11:49,560 --> 00:11:53,080
concepts from the textbook and 
actually applying them to real 

285
00:11:53,080 --> 00:11:54,680
world scenarios. 
Right? 

286
00:11:54,800 --> 00:11:56,520
OK, that makes sense. 
Good. 

287
00:11:56,800 --> 00:11:59,800
So, active listening. 
What else can our listeners do? 

288
00:11:59,960 --> 00:12:01,560
This one might sound a little 
strange. 

289
00:12:01,840 --> 00:12:04,720
OK, but try practicing 
neutrality. 

290
00:12:05,120 --> 00:12:07,040
Neutrality. 
I know law school is all about 

291
00:12:07,040 --> 00:12:09,000
taking sides. 
Yeah, building a strong 

292
00:12:09,000 --> 00:12:09,840
argument. 
Right. 

293
00:12:09,840 --> 00:12:13,200
But it's important to step 
outside that mindset sometimes. 

294
00:12:13,200 --> 00:12:14,840
To see the other side. 
Exactly. 

295
00:12:14,840 --> 00:12:18,400
OK, so during those mock trial 
sessions or negotiation 

296
00:12:18,400 --> 00:12:21,800
exercises, imagine you're the 
mediator. 

297
00:12:22,640 --> 00:12:25,000
Oh, OK. 
What questions would you ask? 

298
00:12:25,080 --> 00:12:28,480
What would I do to help the 
parties find common ground? 

299
00:12:28,680 --> 00:12:30,360
Exact. 
That's a good exercise. 

300
00:12:30,360 --> 00:12:32,520
It is. 
It forces you to consider all 

301
00:12:32,520 --> 00:12:34,200
angles. 
And to detach from your own 

302
00:12:34,200 --> 00:12:36,640
biases. 
Exactly, which is super 

303
00:12:36,640 --> 00:12:39,680
important in any legal setting. 
Yeah, whether you're mediating, 

304
00:12:39,680 --> 00:12:42,160
negotiating or litigating. 
Absolutely. 

305
00:12:42,160 --> 00:12:44,440
OK, so active listening 
neutrality. 

306
00:12:44,880 --> 00:12:47,040
What else? 
This one's a biggie, Hemi with 

307
00:12:47,040 --> 00:12:49,000
it. 
Start thinking beyond win lose 

308
00:12:49,000 --> 00:12:51,200
outcomes. 
But isn't that how the legal 

309
00:12:51,200 --> 00:12:52,960
system works? 
I know, I know. 

310
00:12:52,960 --> 00:12:55,800
But that's exactly what 
mediation challenges it does. 

311
00:12:55,800 --> 00:12:59,160
It encourages us to find 
solutions that benefit everyone.

312
00:12:59,280 --> 00:13:01,360
Even if it means compromise. 
Exactly. 

313
00:13:01,360 --> 00:13:03,080
And nobody gets everything they 
wanted. 

314
00:13:03,160 --> 00:13:05,280
So it's about finding that 
middle ground. 

315
00:13:05,480 --> 00:13:08,960
The sweet spot where everyone 
can walk away feeling heard. 

316
00:13:09,560 --> 00:13:11,120
And like their needs were 
addressed. 

317
00:13:11,120 --> 00:13:13,680
Precisely. 
OK, so let's say I'm involved in

318
00:13:14,160 --> 00:13:17,120
a student organization dispute. 
Yeah, good example. 

319
00:13:17,240 --> 00:13:19,760
Instead of pushing for a 
solution that completely favors 

320
00:13:19,760 --> 00:13:23,640
one side, right, I should try to
facilitate a discussion, yeah? 

321
00:13:23,720 --> 00:13:27,040
Use those mediation principles. 
Find a compromise that addresses

322
00:13:27,040 --> 00:13:29,840
the concerns of both parties. 
That's the idea. 

323
00:13:29,840 --> 00:13:31,440
It's. 
Like a mini mediation session 

324
00:13:31,440 --> 00:13:33,080
it. 
Is and it's great practice for 

325
00:13:33,080 --> 00:13:34,600
the real world. 
Oh yeah, for sure. 

326
00:13:34,600 --> 00:13:38,600
Because in real life, it's not 
always about winning, right? 

327
00:13:38,640 --> 00:13:41,360
It's about finding a solution 
that actually works for 

328
00:13:41,480 --> 00:13:42,440
everyone. 
Exactly. 

329
00:13:42,440 --> 00:13:44,280
And guess what? 
Clients are starting to realize 

330
00:13:44,280 --> 00:13:46,840
that really, they're looking for
lawyers who can help them 

331
00:13:46,840 --> 00:13:49,880
achieve those kinds of outcomes.
So lawyers who have those 

332
00:13:49,880 --> 00:13:51,680
mediation skills. 
Exactly. 

333
00:13:51,840 --> 00:13:53,040
That's awesome. 
It is. 

334
00:13:53,120 --> 00:13:55,360
It's a win win for everyone. 
I like it. 

335
00:13:55,360 --> 00:13:57,080
OK, so we've covered a lot of 
ground here. 

336
00:13:57,080 --> 00:14:00,080
We have active listening, Check.
Neutrality. 

337
00:14:00,120 --> 00:14:01,840
Yeah. 
Thinking beyond win, lose, 

338
00:14:01,840 --> 00:14:02,720
outcome, Check. 
Check. 

339
00:14:02,800 --> 00:14:05,680
It's clear that mediation is 
more than just a legal 

340
00:14:05,680 --> 00:14:06,960
technique. 
It is. 

341
00:14:07,000 --> 00:14:09,520
It's a skill set that can 
benefit any lawyer. 

342
00:14:09,720 --> 00:14:12,760
And any law student. 
And any person, really, you got 

343
00:14:12,760 --> 00:14:14,040
it. 
It's about communication, 

344
00:14:14,760 --> 00:14:17,400
empathy. 
And finding creative solutions 

345
00:14:17,400 --> 00:14:19,880
exactly. 
So don't wait till you graduate 

346
00:14:19,880 --> 00:14:21,680
to start developing these 
skills. 

347
00:14:21,680 --> 00:14:23,960
Start practicing them now. 
Right here in law school. 

348
00:14:23,960 --> 00:14:25,800
Your future clients will thank 
you for it. 

349
00:14:25,920 --> 00:14:28,200
And so will your future self. 
I bet. 

350
00:14:28,240 --> 00:14:30,440
OK. 
So we've talked about the 

351
00:14:30,440 --> 00:14:34,160
practical benefits of mediation.
Like faster resolutions? 

352
00:14:34,160 --> 00:14:36,520
Lower costs. 
Reserving relationships. 

353
00:14:36,520 --> 00:14:37,560
All that good stuff. 
Yeah. 

354
00:14:37,840 --> 00:14:40,880
But before we wrap up, I think 
it's important to touch on the 

355
00:14:40,880 --> 00:14:42,480
ethical implications of all 
this. 

356
00:14:42,480 --> 00:14:45,680
Oh yeah, that's a great point. 
Because as lawyers. 

357
00:14:45,680 --> 00:14:48,880
We have a duty to our clients. 
But we also have a duty to the 

358
00:14:48,880 --> 00:14:50,320
justice system. 
Exactly. 

359
00:14:50,320 --> 00:14:52,600
And sometimes those duties can 
be in conflict. 

360
00:14:52,680 --> 00:14:54,000
Can you give us an example of 
that? 

361
00:14:54,120 --> 00:14:56,480
Sure. 
Imagine your client is dead set 

362
00:14:56,480 --> 00:14:59,360
on going to trial. 
OK, they think they have a slam 

363
00:14:59,360 --> 00:15:01,440
dump case. 
But you think a mediated 

364
00:15:01,440 --> 00:15:03,320
settlement would be better? 
Exactly. 

365
00:15:03,320 --> 00:15:06,600
You've assessed the situation. 
And you think mediation would be

366
00:15:06,600 --> 00:15:10,400
in their best interest? 
Right, but your client wants to 

367
00:15:10,400 --> 00:15:12,480
fight it out in court. 
So what do you do? 

368
00:15:12,520 --> 00:15:14,680
That's where your ethical 
obligations come in, right? 

369
00:15:14,680 --> 00:15:18,200
You have a duty to advise your 
client of all their options. 

370
00:15:18,200 --> 00:15:19,400
Even if they don't want to hear 
it. 

371
00:15:19,400 --> 00:15:22,080
Exactly, even if it goes against
their initial wishes. 

372
00:15:22,080 --> 00:15:23,560
You have to lay it all out for 
them. 

373
00:15:23,560 --> 00:15:25,200
You got to give them the full 
picture. 

374
00:15:25,200 --> 00:15:28,760
Explain the benefits and risks 
of both litigation and 

375
00:15:28,760 --> 00:15:29,840
mediation. 
Right. 

376
00:15:30,560 --> 00:15:34,160
Ultimately, the final decision 
is theirs right, but you have a 

377
00:15:34,160 --> 00:15:37,240
responsibility to guide them. 
With your expertise. 

378
00:15:37,240 --> 00:15:39,400
Yep, and make sure they're 
making an informed choice. 

379
00:15:39,560 --> 00:15:42,720
That's a tough spot to be in. 
It is, for sure, but it 

380
00:15:42,720 --> 00:15:45,160
highlights the importance of 
ethics. 

381
00:15:45,160 --> 00:15:46,880
Along with those practical 
mediation skills. 

382
00:15:46,880 --> 00:15:48,000
Exactly. 
You got to have both. 

383
00:15:48,200 --> 00:15:53,640
OK, so beyond individual cases, 
how does mediation fit into the 

384
00:15:53,640 --> 00:15:56,000
bigger picture of the legal 
system? 

385
00:15:56,120 --> 00:15:58,320
That's a great question. 
The traditional adversarial 

386
00:15:58,320 --> 00:16:01,720
system, Yeah, it's built on 
conflict, winners and losers. 

387
00:16:01,760 --> 00:16:02,720
Right. 
Someone has to win. 

388
00:16:02,920 --> 00:16:06,120
Someone has to lose. 
Exactly, but mediation offers a 

389
00:16:06,120 --> 00:16:08,640
different model. 
OK, I like different. 

390
00:16:08,680 --> 00:16:12,040
One that focuses on 
collaboration, understanding, 

391
00:16:12,040 --> 00:16:15,600
finding common ground. 
So instead of me versus you, 

392
00:16:15,760 --> 00:16:18,440
right, it's us working together 
to solve a problem. 

393
00:16:18,560 --> 00:16:21,520
That's it. 
And that has implications for 

394
00:16:21,520 --> 00:16:24,480
the legal profession as a whole.
For sure, it challenges us to 

395
00:16:24,480 --> 00:16:27,040
think differently about what 
justice means. 

396
00:16:27,040 --> 00:16:29,240
Not always about punishment or 
victory, right? 

397
00:16:29,520 --> 00:16:33,160
It's about finding a solution 
that addresses everyone's needs.

398
00:16:33,280 --> 00:16:35,720
And restores balance. 
I like that restoring balance. 

399
00:16:35,720 --> 00:16:37,360
It's a. 
Powerful concept. 

400
00:16:37,480 --> 00:16:41,680
It is, and as future lawyers, 
our listeners have the potential

401
00:16:41,680 --> 00:16:45,520
to be part of that shift they do
to be agents of change within 

402
00:16:45,520 --> 00:16:47,440
the legal system. 
That's a great way to put it. 

403
00:16:47,440 --> 00:16:51,520
So as you embark on your legal 
journey, don't just focus on the

404
00:16:51,520 --> 00:16:53,520
rules and precedents. 
The technical stuff. 

405
00:16:53,760 --> 00:16:55,560
Right. 
Embrace the human side of law. 

406
00:16:55,800 --> 00:16:57,320
Absolutely. 
Learn how to listen. 

407
00:16:57,480 --> 00:17:00,080
How to empathize? 
How to build bridges instead of 

408
00:17:00,080 --> 00:17:02,720
walls? 
Because in the end, that's what 

409
00:17:02,720 --> 00:17:05,960
truly matters. 
Using your legal skills to make 

410
00:17:05,960 --> 00:17:08,319
a positive impact on the world. 
That's the goal. 

411
00:17:08,359 --> 00:17:11,200
I love that. 
OK, so we've talked about the 

412
00:17:11,200 --> 00:17:14,079
practical benefits of mediation 
and now we've touched on the 

413
00:17:14,079 --> 00:17:17,040
ethical implications, right. 
It's clear that mediation is a 

414
00:17:17,040 --> 00:17:18,920
powerful tool it. 
Is. 

415
00:17:18,920 --> 00:17:22,359
With the potential to transform 
how we approach conflict 

416
00:17:22,359 --> 00:17:24,599
resolution. 
And it's not just for mediators,

417
00:17:24,720 --> 00:17:27,720
right? 
These skills active listening, 

418
00:17:28,040 --> 00:17:31,080
empathy, collaborative problem 
solving. 

419
00:17:31,080 --> 00:17:34,680
They're valuable for any lawyer.
Absolutely, no matter what area 

420
00:17:34,680 --> 00:17:39,040
of law you go into. 
So to our listener, the aspiring

421
00:17:39,040 --> 00:17:40,440
lawyer out there. 
Uh huh. 

422
00:17:41,040 --> 00:17:43,880
Embrace these skills. 
Explore the possibilities of 

423
00:17:43,880 --> 00:17:45,840
mediation. 
And always remember that the law

424
00:17:45,840 --> 00:17:48,320
is about serving justice. 
And finding ways to make a 

425
00:17:48,320 --> 00:17:50,880
positive impact on the world. 
That's a great note to end. 

426
00:17:50,880 --> 00:17:52,640
On it is. 
Thanks for joining us on this 

427
00:17:52,640 --> 00:17:55,000
deep dive into mediation. 
It's been a pleasure. 

428
00:17:55,000 --> 00:17:56,720
We were just talking about the 
ethical side of things. 

429
00:17:56,720 --> 00:18:00,720
Yeah, like how as future 
lawyers, we have this duty to 

430
00:18:01,000 --> 00:18:05,640
balance our responsibilities to 
our clients and to the legal 

431
00:18:05,640 --> 00:18:07,080
system itself. 
Right. 

432
00:18:07,240 --> 00:18:10,160
And it sounds like mediation 
could actually help resolve that

433
00:18:10,160 --> 00:18:12,760
tension sometimes. 
I could, I mean, think about it,

434
00:18:12,760 --> 00:18:15,840
the traditional way of doing 
things, the adversarial system, 

435
00:18:16,560 --> 00:18:18,520
it can feel like it's more about
winning. 

436
00:18:19,080 --> 00:18:21,280
Than finding a just outcome. 
Right. 

437
00:18:21,280 --> 00:18:23,920
Like who can argue better? 
Who can outmaneuver the other 

438
00:18:23,920 --> 00:18:25,960
side? 
Regardless of what's actually 

439
00:18:25,960 --> 00:18:27,200
fair. 
Exactly. 

440
00:18:27,400 --> 00:18:30,000
And that's where mediation 
offers something different. 

441
00:18:30,160 --> 00:18:32,600
A different path. 
Yeah, a more nuanced approach, 

442
00:18:33,160 --> 00:18:35,320
one that takes into account 
everyone's interests. 

443
00:18:35,760 --> 00:18:37,640
Not just the legal 
technicalities. 

444
00:18:37,680 --> 00:18:40,720
Right, so it's not about 
abandoning your advocacy skills 

445
00:18:40,720 --> 00:18:42,040
altogether. 
No, not at. 

446
00:18:42,040 --> 00:18:44,280
All it's more like adding to 
your toolkit. 

447
00:18:44,360 --> 00:18:47,040
Expanding your options. 
Right, recognizing that 

448
00:18:47,040 --> 00:18:49,520
sometimes the best outcome isn't
to win in court. 

449
00:18:50,040 --> 00:18:52,320
It might be a mutually agreeable
resolution. 

450
00:18:52,800 --> 00:18:54,560
Reach through dialogue and 
compromise. 

451
00:18:54,640 --> 00:18:56,000
Couldn't have said it better 
myself. 

452
00:18:56,200 --> 00:18:58,040
And this brings us back to 
something we talked about 

453
00:18:58,040 --> 00:18:59,040
earlier. 
What's that? 

454
00:18:59,240 --> 00:19:00,960
The legal profession is 
changing. 

455
00:19:01,720 --> 00:19:03,360
It is. 
Clients are looking for 

456
00:19:03,360 --> 00:19:06,600
alternatives to litigation. 
And mediation is a perfect fit. 

457
00:19:06,760 --> 00:19:09,200
It is. 
It's faster, it's less 

458
00:19:09,200 --> 00:19:11,480
expensive, and it's less 
adversarial. 

459
00:19:11,560 --> 00:19:15,000
And it gives people the power to
create their own solutions. 

460
00:19:15,000 --> 00:19:17,080
Which can help preserve 
relationships. 

461
00:19:17,080 --> 00:19:19,720
Then create a sense of ownership
over the outcome. 

462
00:19:19,720 --> 00:19:23,400
So it's not just about resolving
the dispute at hand, right? 

463
00:19:23,520 --> 00:19:26,320
It's about setting the stage for
a better future. 

464
00:19:26,320 --> 00:19:27,960
For everyone involved. 
Exactly. 

465
00:19:28,040 --> 00:19:30,880
It's about seeing conflict as an
opportunity. 

466
00:19:30,880 --> 00:19:34,560
An opportunity for growth and 
understanding. 

467
00:19:34,560 --> 00:19:37,640
And as future lawyers, yeah, you
can help guide your clients 

468
00:19:37,640 --> 00:19:39,440
toward those more constructive 
outcomes. 

469
00:19:39,480 --> 00:19:41,960
Absolutely. 
This has been a fascinating deep

470
00:19:41,960 --> 00:19:44,000
dive into mediation. 
It has. 

471
00:19:44,000 --> 00:19:46,560
We've gone from the basics, the 
bigger picture. 

472
00:19:46,920 --> 00:19:50,840
The implications for the legal 
profession and society as a 

473
00:19:50,840 --> 00:19:53,440
whole. 
It's clear that mediation is a 

474
00:19:53,440 --> 00:19:55,960
powerful tool. 
It is with the potential to 

475
00:19:55,960 --> 00:19:59,000
change how we approach conflict.
And remember those skills? 

476
00:19:59,000 --> 00:20:01,000
We talked. 
About Oh yeah, active listening.

477
00:20:01,640 --> 00:20:04,240
Empathy. 
Collaborative problem solving. 

478
00:20:04,280 --> 00:20:06,680
Those are invaluable. 
No matter what kind of law you 

479
00:20:06,680 --> 00:20:08,120
practice. 
They'll make you a better 

480
00:20:08,120 --> 00:20:11,440
advocate, a better counselor, a 
better lawyer. 

481
00:20:11,440 --> 00:20:13,560
Period. 
So to our listener out there, 

482
00:20:13,560 --> 00:20:16,120
the future lawyer. 
Embrace these skills. 

483
00:20:16,120 --> 00:20:19,080
Explore mediation. 
And never forget that the law is

484
00:20:19,080 --> 00:20:22,880
about serving justice. 
And making a positive impact on 

485
00:20:22,880 --> 00:20:24,120
the world. 
Well said. 

486
00:20:25,360 --> 00:20:26,720
That's a great way to wrap 
things up. 

487
00:20:26,880 --> 00:20:29,080
It is. 
Thanks for joining us on this 

488
00:20:29,080 --> 00:20:31,640
deep dive into mediation. 
It's been a pleasure. 

489
00:20:31,840 --> 00:20:34,640
We'll see you next time for 
another deep dive into a topic 

490
00:20:34,880 --> 00:20:39,040
shaping the future of law. 
Until then, keep learning, keep 

491
00:20:39,040 --> 00:20:41,520
growing, and keep those legal 
minds sharp. 

492
00:20:41,640 --> 00:20:43,520
That's it for today. 
Thanks for listening.

