By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  I mediated a matter between two employees who worked in the same department for a medium sized company. Mutual cooperation was necessary for their positions and the company’s success. Unfortunately, there was a complete lack of communication and a high level of conflict between them with accusations of fraud, harassment and

Mediation – The Process of Healing By Farley Tolpen, CEO. So what do you do when you have two parties at each other’s throats for over 4 years? This was one of those classic situations you see every day in cheesy 80’s sitcoms. This involved two people who were constantly shouting at each other and

By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  I was recently asked how I could maintain my sanity as a mediator and human with all the conflict and strife in the world. We discussed the ongoing confllct in Syria, Iran, Nigeria, Sudan, Egypt, Israel, Ukraine and with the boat people. I explained that I am saddened by violence, senseless

By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  In the past year, I have mediated several matters involving multiple parties and complex issues.  I recently mediated a complex matter involving multiple parties and their lawyers. There was a long history and complicated facts involving international law, deep rooted emotional issues and multiple agreements, both written and oral. If the

While a large majority (around 90%) of all mediations resolve, some do not. I recently mediated a commercial matter with multiple parties and complex issues. While we did not resolve the matter in its entirety, the parties managed to resolve several issues. The parties also may return upon investigation of other issues. One of the

One of the interesting aspects of mediation occurs when there is a relatively small amount in dispute. I recently mediated a matter where the only dispute was how the parties were to divide the proceeds from the family residence after sale. The total amount in dispute was approximately $35,000 after the parties resolved a separate

By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  I estimate that I have mediated around 3,000 matters with about 65% involving lawyers and their clients. Approximately 90% of mediations with lawyers involved have resolved. I recently conducted a mediation in which there was a history of litigation and acrimony between the parties. The lawyers had also issues between them.

By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  I recently conducted a mediation between ex-partners who had not spoken in 6 months. There was bitterness and antagonism on both sides. The father had not seen the children during that time and missed them terribly. We started the mediation process as a shuttle mediation. About 2 hours into the mediation,

By Farley Tolpen, CEO.  One of the joys as a mediator occurs when the parties reach that “magic moment” in mediation. That is the moment where they have put aside all disputes and are working on a resolution. As an example, I recently mediated a contentious family matter in which both parties had accused the

Blog 13, THE MEDIATION EXPERTS – The satisfied Client and Parties We recently conducted a Brisbane Mediation regarding a matter between 2 mid-level employees. It was a very difficult matter with a long history of conflict, co-workers taking sides and one accusing the other of bullying and harassment. The employer informed us that mediation was