While it seems familiar to us lawyers, the legal process is daunting and unfamiliar to most clients. Interrogatories, depositions, and motions practice are all foreign concepts to them. But everyone understands plain talk. Mediation allows the parties to freely discuss their interests in a more relaxed, non-confrontational setting. When your clients mediate, they will understand the result and how they got there.

 Your Clients Will Feel Involved.

Until now, you've called most of the shots. You've asked your client to answer interrogatories and provide documents. Helped them prepare for deposition. Suggested strategies and courses of action. During mediation, your clients will get involved. They will tell their story. Be asked their opinion. Present ideas. When your clients mediate, they will feel fully involved.

 Your Clients Will Appreciate the Cost Savings.

Face it. It's the 800 pound gorilla in the room. Somewhere near the front of your client's mind is the thought that litigation is costing them significant direct and indirect costs. One study by the Justice Department showed that attorneys who mediated their cases saved 89 hours in attorney and paralegal time and over $10,000 in costs compared to taking the matter to trial. When your clients mediate, they will appreciate the fact that you have actually saved them money.

 Your Clients Will See the Value in Your Services.

You work hard preparing a case. But most of what you do takes place in a "black box" into which the client never peeks. Mediation allows you the opportunity to open up the black box and demonstrate the value of all that hard work. By preparing as if for a hearing or trial, organizing documents and exhibits to exchange, preparing an opening statement and drafting a list of talking points, you demonstrate to your clients what it is you actually do for them. When your clients mediate, they will see the value in your services.

 Mediation works.

Finally, mediation works. The empirical data shows that mediated cases settle at high rates. Simply Google "mediation success rates." You will find settlement rates ranging from 60% to over 90%. When your clients mediate, you are giving them the best opportunity to reach a resolution.