Perhaps the most amazing development in US history occurred when George Washington refused to become king, and peacefully handed over power to John Adams.  The concept that power will be voluntarily (or at least peacefully) handed over to someone who believes in completely different values and ideals than the current political leader is still so … Continue reading Go Vote–It’s a Wonderful Dispute Resolution Process →

A federal district court in the Northern District of Illinois recently refused to compel arbitration of a consumer’s complaint brought in relation to the purchase of an iPhone. The case is shocking for at least two reasons.  It is shocking because the lead attorney for AT&T engaged in shameful, clearly sanctionable behavior during the course … Continue reading iArbitration, iUnconscionability, and the iPhone →

At the Works-in-Progress conference this past week at Arizona State University (great job Art!), I had the pleasure of hearing from Professor Scott Hughes on his latest work on mirror neurons.  I have blogged about mirror neurons before and the impact on people.  It explains things from why Harley rides are pleasurable to why Starbucks runs smoothly.  Scott … Continue reading Mirror Neurons & Mediation Advice →

  For anyone who’s interested in writing about international or comparative mediation, you should be aware of the following opportunity:  Call for Papers International Mediation Leadership Summit The Dispute Resolution Section of the American Bar Association, in collaboration with AAA International Centre for Dispute Resolution, ACB Group-Netherlands, ADR Center-Rome, CEDR, CMAP, International Academy of Mediators, … Continue reading Call for Papers: International Mediation →

The best part about politics, and particularly presidential elections, is that each news story or political ad  demonstrates the well-known negotiation theory of confirming evidence.  In other words, we only believe data that confirms what we already think.  And, watching the debate last night or listening to the political commentary afterwards probably confirmed for you … Continue reading Talking to Your Own People →

So last week when I received my TIAA-CREF statement (like many professors, I assume) you might have heard me scream from Milwaukee.  But now I have a better idea–I should be running the market!  Tim Harford, a columnist for the Financial Times and author of The Logic of Life: The Rational Economics of an Irrational World … Continue reading Why Women Should Control Wall Street →

Everyone in the mediation community needs to know the story of Gary Karpin, a disbarred lawyer from Vermont who moved to Arizona and started advertising his services as a divorce mediator.  Karpin made a habit of striking up romantic relationships with isolated, lonely, and vulnerable women in order to swindle them out of lots of money.  In … Continue reading Con Man Posing as a Mediator Convicted of Fraud and Theft →

From Scientific American website, http://www.sciam.com/blog/60-second-science/post.cfm?id=no-peace-for-science-international-2008-10-10L Martti Ahtisaari takes the 2008 Nobel Peace Prize “for his important efforts, on several continents and over more than three decades, to resolve international conflicts.” A former President of Finland, Ahtissari mediated conflicts ranging from apartheid South Africa’s occupation of Namibia in the 1980s to Kosovo in the 2000s and … Continue reading Nobel Peace Prize goes to International Mediator →

I am copying here the announcement that I just received from Ethan Katsh about Cyberweek (with his contact information should you have any questions.)  It’s a great opportunity for students, professors, and practitioners to explore new software and technology dealing with conflict resolution.  Enjoy! National Center for Technology and Dispute Resolution Conference Announcement     … Continue reading Cyberweek Announced →