The New York Law School Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Skills Program, in collaboration with the James Tricarico Jr. Institute for the Business of Law and In-House Counsel, has created a new 37-minute instructional film, Representing Clients in Mediation. The video provides a step-by-step guide for lawyers and client representatives, covering the process from engaging a mediator to drafting a final agreement.
The film, written by Distinguished Adjunct Professor and ADR Skills Program Director F. Peter Phillips ’87, is organized into nine modules that can be viewed individually or as a whole. Through narration by Wallace Stevens Professor of Law Kris Franklin and demonstrations by expert mediator Jack Levin, the video highlights the unique aspects of mediation advocacy and how it differs from litigation.
Professor Franklin notes, “As more entities turn to mediation to resolve disputes and more law schools emphasize the importance of negotiation and mediation instruction, this film offers an important look at specific skills that serve client representatives well in mediation settings.”
New York Law School is offering the video free of charge for use by mediation provider organizations, bar associations, training professionals, individual practitioners, law school programs, and others. Designed to be cross-cultural and widely accessible, the film is a practical and timely resource for law students and legal professionals seeking to deliver the best outcomes for their clients in mediation.
“I’m proud that New York Law School’s ADR Skills Program is offering this comprehensive resource for teaching mediation process and assisting client representatives in getting the best possible outcomes for their clients,” said Professor Phillips. “We hope that you find it useful.”
The film is already receiving positive feedback. Peter Reilly, Texas A&M University School of Law Professor of Law and Associate Director of the Aggie Dispute Resolution Program, said, “This film, expertly and in short order, cuts to the heart of key issues—including how different mediation is from going to court, how and why lawyers can have confidential conversations with the mediator, and even how helpful and specific language can be used when crafting a statement at the conclusion of the mediation. I look forward to presenting this powerful and professionally produced film to my dispute resolution students.”