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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoPlainText>Somewhat echoing another Bruce's comments, getting insurance issues squared away before mediation can be -- OK -- is always -- very important. I have other war-stories, but I'm limiting my comments to insurance related issues. My general perception on this front is that for a mediation to be most effective, the parties need to be fully versed not only on the merits of the case, but also on insurance coverage issue relating to the claim. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> A. AI coverage, and the actual endorsements. AI Endorsements "ain't what they used to be" and if coverage claims relative to AI endorsements are important, flesh that out before mediation. Arguing about it at mediation is entirely unproductive, and can derail settlement. (Right, Bruce!?)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> B. Having "real" adjustors attend the mediation, rather than "rented" adjustors. The entire value of in-person mediation is lost if the real authority the mediator has to deal with is a person on the phone. Maybe this is an area where video conferencing (skype, etc.) can add value, but that “presence” needs to be continuous or the value of the “process” of mediation is lost.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> C. The mediator can set a "deadline" for coverage issues. I have had many mediations where an adjustor walks in and injects, for the first time, "there's no coverage" and the mediation rapidly descends to an impasse. What if the mediator sets a rule that coverage positions must be definitively disclosed X days before the mediation (of course reserving rights to subsequently disclosed facts, etc.)? Of course I know that coverage defenses must be disclosed far earlier than that, but cases evolve. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> D. Require that coverage issues be addressed in mediation summaries if there are potential coverage issues. I fully realize that insurer-retained defense counsel cannot address those issues, but if there are going to be serious coverage issues then coverage counsel should chime in as part of the mediation process early -- rather than late (at the mediation).<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> E. Consider separate opening presentations where coverage issues are raised and presented separately and not to the entire group. A progression of folks in a group setting saying "we think there's no coverage so go away" leads to a predictable intertial response as things go around the table. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> F. As part of the initial materials, require that insurers disclose to the mediator and to the claimant what they are treating as the occurrence date or dates. If there is a possibility of multiple "occurrences" over multiple policy periods, that (or its absence) should be disclosed up front and in advance.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'> G. Require that ALL of the disclosures above be made not solely to the mediator, but also to the party whose claim is at issue for the insurance coverage. Global disclosure to all parties may not be appropriate, but it is entirely appropriate as to the claimant relative to the insurance policy at issue, and likely those “upstream” from that claimant. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>Remember, all of this can be couched within the mediation privilege and confidentiality act, which mitigates insurers’ risk in these disclosures. <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText style='margin-bottom:12.0pt'>So many war stories, so little time. Hope the seminar goes well.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Bruce D. Partington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Clark Partington<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>bpartington@cphlaw.com<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Direct: 850-432-1399<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Fax: 850-432-7340<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>*Board Certified in Construction Law<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText> <o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>NOTICE: This e-mail message and any attachments are private communication sent by the law firm of Clark Partington Hart Larry Bond & Stackhouse, and may contain confidential, legally privileged information meant solely for the intended recipient. If you are not the intended recipient, you are hereby notified that any use, dissemination, distribution or copying of this communication is strictly prohibited. Please notify the sender immediately by replying to this message, and delete the e-mail and any attachments from your system. Thank you.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>-----Original Message-----<br>From: clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org [mailto:clc-discussion-bounces@lists.flabarrpptl.org] On Behalf Of Alexander, Bruce G.<br>Sent: Friday, July 20, 2012 3:33 PM<br>To: Larry Leiby<br>Cc: clc-discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<br>Subject: Re: [CLC-Discussion] Request for mediation experiences</p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Larry, I have 2 quick war stories and one procedural suggestion:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>1. Make sure counsel and the Mediator are well versed in what specific adjusters will be attending from what specific insurers. I recently had a mediation where, after a year of intense third party claim litigation, it was not realized until 4 hours into the Mediation that the insurers for the Third Party Plaintiff and Third Party Defendant were sister insurers, effectively meaning that the insurer was suing itself, and paying 2 law firms for that privilege. Suffice to say the case settled within 15 minutes of spirited phone calls made.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>2. After 11 hours of Mediating a multi million dollar claim, we came down to a 50k delta which NO party would budge to close the gap. Reaching into my pocket I pulled out a quarter, looked at the 2 principal adjusters involved and told them to call it, loser to pay the 50k. I flipped the coin, heads lost, case over.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Now as for a practical suggestion, for multi party matters, I have found it effective to go around the table of attendees, have everyone introduce himself and materially, state the number of years of experience they bring to the table within their respective fields. This generally results in establishing that there is a combined level of experience in the room of many hundreds of years, in some cases over 1000 combined years! Then, the statement becomes easy to make, there is NO WAY that a group with that experience can ever allow a judge or jury to resolve their collective fate.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Have fun at the seminar, it looks to be a fantastic event!<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>One last personal note. I decided not wait for the Tesla, So I picked up a Fisker 3 weeks ago... Very fun to drive, whether on battery or fuel.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Best always, Bruce<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>On Jul 20, 2012, at 3:34 PM, "Larry Leiby" <<a href="mailto:Leiby@mkpalaw.com%3cmailto:Leiby@mkpalaw.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>Leiby@mkpalaw.com<mailto:Leiby@mkpalaw.com</span></a>>> wrote:<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>The Broward County Bar Association and JAMS are co-sponsoring a seminar October 5, 2012 on “Effectively Representing Your Client in Mediation.” This will be a panel discussion for three 50 minute hours on the topic, followed by a one hour discussion on mediator ethics. We have 7 panelists – four mediators, a commercial plaintiff’s trial lawyer, a civil defense lawyer, and a manager of claims for a large hospital group (end user). We have Fran Tetunic, who serves on the STATE COMMITTEE ON ALTERNATIVE DISPUTE RESOLUTION RULES AND POLICY to lead the ethics session.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>So why am I sending you what appears to be a shameless plug for a seminar (which is not actually the seminar announcement), particularly if you are not near Broward County? There is a reason.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>We seek your input on any remarkable experiences that you may know of that we can address in the seminar. These could be a remarkably good practice, a remarkably bad practice, or an ethical issue that you have experienced or is of interest to you. We have a number of issues to address BUT WE WANT MORE. You are out there in the trenches of mediation (as are our speakers) but we seek the vast input of more than just the speakers. Please share.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>If you can relate any such remarkable experiences please send to <a href="mailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com%3cmailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>lleiby@jamsadr.com<mailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com</span></a>> (not a reply to the entire listserv). It will be appreciated and you will enjoy endless blessings throughout your life . (Actually, no guaranty on that last part.)<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Sorry for the intrusion and thanks in advance for your responses.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Larry R. Leiby, Esq.<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Fellow, College of Commercial Arbitrators<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>JAMS Global Engineering and Construction Group<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>600 Brickell Avenue, Suite 2600<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Miami, FL 33131<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Phone: 954-895-9198<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>Fax: 305-371-5288<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com%3cmailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>lleiby@jamsadr.com<mailto:lleiby@jamsadr.com</span></a>><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><image001.jpg><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><o:p> </o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>_______________________________________________<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText>CLC-Discussion mailing list<o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="mailto:CLC-Discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org%3cmailto:CLC-Discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>CLC-Discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org<mailto:CLC-Discussion@lists.flabarrpptl.org</span></a>><o:p></o:p></p><p class=MsoPlainText><a href="http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/clc-discussion"><span style='color:windowtext;text-decoration:none'>http://mailman.fsr.com/mailman/listinfo/clc-discussion</span></a><o:p></o:p></p></div></body></html>