Mediation

A Handbook for Maryland Lawyers

 

 

The Honorable Daniel E. Klein, Jr.

United States Magistrate Judge

United States District Court for the District of Maryland

 

The Honorable Kaye A. Allison

Associate Circuit Judge

Circuit Court for Baltimore City

 

Perry F. Sekus

Chief, Civil and Financial Litigation

United States Attorney’s Office

District of Maryland

 


Mediation

Chapter 1

Alternative Dispute Resolution

A. ADR Versus Traditional Methods of Dispute Resolution 5

B. Forms of ADR ...................................... 6

1. Unassisted Negotiation .......................... 6

2. Settlement Conference ........................... 6

3. Early Neutral Evaluation ........................ 7

4. Neutral Fact-Finding ............................ 7

5. Arbitration ..................................... 7

C. Mediation’s Distinguishing Features ............... 8

D. .......................................... Conclusion   10

Chapter II

General Overview of Mediation

A. Definition ....................................... 11

B. The History of Mediation  ........................ 12

C. The Evolution of Federal Laws Dealing With Mediation   16

D. The Evolution of Mediation Law in Maryland ....... 18

E. Conclusion ....................................... 22

Chapter III

The Mediation Process

A. The Basic Process ................................ 23

B. The Stages of Mediation .......................... 24

1. Preliminary Arrangements ....................... 24

2. The Mediator’s Introduction .................... 24

3. The Joint Session .............................. 25

4. The Separate Caucuses .......................... 25

5. The Lawyer Caucuses ............................ 26

6. The Final Joint Session ........................ 26

C. Conclusion ....................................... 26

Chapter IV

Deciding When to Use Mediation

A. When to Use Mediation: Factors to Consider ....... 27

B. Advising Clients About Mediation ................. 31


C. Securing Client Participation .................... 32

D. Obtaining the Adverse Party’s Consent ............ 32

E. Agreement to Mediate ............................. 34

F. .......................................... Conclusion   36

G. Checklist ........................................ 36

Chapter V

Mediators

A. The Role of the Mediator ......................... 39

B. Legal and Ethical Constraints .................... 41

C. Locating Mediators ............................... 42

D. Factors to Consider When Choosing a Mediator ..... 42

1. Neutrality ..................................... 43

2  Education and Training ......................... 43

3. Experience ..................................... 43

4. Approaches ..................................... 43

5. Fees ........................................... 44

E. Recommending Mediators to the Adverse Party ...... 45

F. Conclusion ....................................... 45

G. Checklist ........................................ 45

Chapter VI

Preparing for the Mediation

A. Establishing a Framework ......................... 47

B. Setting Goals .................................... 47

C. The Role of the Lawyer ........................... 48

D. The Role of the Client ........................... 49

E. Mediation Statements ............................. 51

F. Discovery ....................................... 52

G. The Mediated Agreement ........................... 53

H. Conclusion ....................................... 53

I. Checklist ........................................ 53

Chapter VII

Confidentiality in Mediation

A. Generally ........................................ 57

B. Evidentiary Exclusions ........................... 58

1. Federal Rule of Evidence 408 and Maryland Rule 5-408 58

2. Federal Rule of Evidence 403 and Maryland Rule 5-403 59

3. Federal Rule of Civil Procedure 68 ............. 60


C. Evidentiary Exclusions Versus Privilege .......... 60

D. Protective Orders ................................ 62

E. Confidentiality Agreements ....................... 64

F. Conclusion ....................................... 67

G. Checklist ........................................ 67

 

Appendix A:

   Select Federal and Maryland Rules .....................    Appendix A-1

Appendix B:

   Select Mediation Rules and Procedures..................    Appendix B-1

Appendix C:

   AAA/ABA/SPIDR Model Standards of Conduct
For Mediators..........................................    Appendix C-1

Appendix D:

   National and International Mediation
Organizations..........................................    Appendix D-1

Appendix E:

   Maryland Mediation OrganizationsAppendix ..............    Appendix E-1

Appendix F:

   Internet Resources.....................................    Appendix F-1

Appendix G:

   Mediation Programs in the Federal
District Courts........................................    Appendix G-1

Appendix H:
Join The Resolution:The Maryland ADR Commission’s
Practical Action Plan..................................    Appendix H-1

Appendix I:

   Report to the Maryland ADR Commission:
A Summary Of ADR Programs In
Maryland’s District Courts.............................    Appendix
I-1

Appendix J:

   Maryland ADR Commission:
A Summary Of ADR Programs In
Maryland’s Circuit Courts..............................    Appendix
J-1

Appendix K:

   ADR in Government and Public Policy Disputes...........    Appendix K-1

 

Table of Cases...................................    Table of Cases-1

 

Bibliography.....................................    Bibliography-1