One question that generally comes up when preparing for a mediation is whether counsel should give an opening statement in a general session before the actual negotiating begins. A subquestion is if an opening statement is advisable, what type of presentation should be given? What should be the purpose, content and tone?
In my view, an opening statement at mediation should not be given if it will create hostility or divisiveness. Sometimes a client will want a preliminary statement to assuage that client’s own anger and hostility towards the other side. That is not a valid purpose because it will not contribute to the mediation process. Anything that escalates the tensions between the parties or heightens the temperature in the room is not a desirable tool for mediation. In short, an opening statement should not be adversarial, but should be devoted to demonstrating an attitude of wanting to reach a resolution of the dispute at hand.
Otherwise, whether an opening statement is given depends on its purpose. That is, it must have a purpose first of all, and that purpose must contribute to the mediation process. The best reason for an opening statement is to add information to the process or explain the position of the party delivering it if the information is not already available, or there needs to be clarification of that party’s position. Despite a comprehensive written presentation, there may still be issues or positions that need clarification. If so, an opening statement should be used to provide additional information about a party’s case.
One of the occasions where I find an opening useful is to clarify damages claims. There may be questions about the relationship of injuries to an accident, or about special damages, past and future. There may be medical issues; questions about future medical care, rehabilitation efforts, and income earning capacity once the injuries have stabilized. These questions may have come up in a pre-mediation conference, so the parties may want to address those issues with additional information that has developed.
However, an opening statement is not a time to rehash what has been spelled out in a mediation statement or just review what the parties already have had an opportunity to absorb. The opening statement is appropriate if it will help focus the parties on the issues to be addressed at the mediation, and provide additional information useful to moving the parties closer to a bargained result.
What Should be the Tone?
Anything less than a high level diplomatic approach will only lessen the chance of settlement. This is not to say that the parties should appear to be begging for a result, but a high level of professionalism and willingness to explore settlement options should be the attitude of all involved once any joint session is over. The spirit should be: Let’s try to get it done!
An appropriate opening statement can be a valuable tool for working to a positive end result.
What Should It Contain?
The answer to this question is obvious: information that adds to the other side’s basis of information, clarifies issues or facts in the case, or makes the position of a party clearer to the mediator and other parties.
I like to use a supplement, either an outline or a PowerPoint presentation. However, these tools should be used simply to give the presentation some structure, not to overwhelm the parties with more paper or numerous slides with crammed detail. The opening statement, as I envision it, is a summary of information so that the issues and facts have a clearer focus, and the mediator and the parties can begin negotiating around their dispute.
One further point: An opening statement is often a good time to concede facts or issues. For example, I have had mediations in which the defendants said in their opening that they were not going to focus on liability because they had worked towards an apportionment among themselves. This allowed my client to focus on evaluating the case for settlement purposes and discussing damages. Obviously that was good news, and it also made the mediation day a productive discussion of some serious and real damages questions.
Be Creative; You May Involve Others!
You can be creative with an opening statement at mediation. You do not have the constraints that you have at trial. For one, you can discuss the facts without worrying about objections, admissibility or argument, although you certainly do not want to fall into an argumentative statement that will violate the appropriate “tone” that I think should be used. Second, you can involve others. Frequently I take an “all purpose” expert or consultant with me who can present an overview of the technical aspects of the case. For example, our medical consultants, retired physicians who assist in reviewing the medical aspects of our cases, sometimes attend to explain injuries, comment on causation and answer questions, while recognizing that they are not our expert trial witnesses. I also use consultants whom I regard as good “translators” of technical arenas, and who can give an overview of aspects of the case. They are highly credible, and what they present is done within the confidentiality of a mediation and with the understanding that they are not going to testify at trial, but are serving as consultants. This expert overview can be provided at a lower expense than if you asked two or three experts to attend or provide video statements for mediation purposes only.
Clearing the Opening with the Mediator
On mediation day it is the mediator’s show. So, I want to clear the agenda with the mediator before I plan on making any opening statement. The mediator may not want it. He or she may want me to forego an opening initially and save it for later in the day if it is believed some comments in a joint session will help the parties in their negotiations.
If an opening is invited, I usually give the mediator some idea of my approach to make sure it blends in with the mediator’s agenda and approach to the settlement discussions. No surprises - at least not for the mediator!
A Final Comment
You should let your client know about the difference between the opening statement at the mediation and at trial. The client may expect a gang-busters trial lawyer’s presentation. Perhaps if an opening statement is to be given, you should ask the client what his or her expectations are, and then inform them of the purpose and reasons for your presentation and generally how and what your are going to say. That way the client’s expectations are appropriate for the day, or at least for the initial joint session.
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