Tag Archives: Empirical Research

Why We Are Conducting Missouri’s Tower of Babel Symposium and What I Hope We Accomplish

In a recent post, I described the structure of Missouri’s upcoming symposium entitled “Moving Negotiation Theory from the Tower of Babel: Toward a World of Mutual Understanding,” which will take place on October 7, 2016. In this post, I tell why it came about and what I hope it will accomplish. Missouri’s Center for the … Continue reading Why We Are Conducting Missouri’s Tower of Babel Symposium and What I Hope We Accomplish →

A No-Brainer?

One might assume that using a “planned early dispute resolution” (PEDR) system should be a “no-brainer” for businesses that regularly litigate because litigation-as-usual undermines many business interests such as efficiency, protection of reputations and relationships, control of disputing and business operations generally, and risk management, among others. Although this seems like a plausible assumption, the … Continue reading A No-Brainer? →

IMI Wants YOU to Complete this Survey

My colleague, S.I. Strong, forwarded this message: The International Mediation Institute (“IMI”), a non-profit standards body, is conducting international census research on the state of mediation today. The survey will be screening the following perspectives: • Those who (may) use mediation (“Users”) • Those who (may) recommend using mediation as an external counsel, consultant, or … Continue reading IMI Wants YOU to Complete this Survey →

Video and Powerpoints from Fabulous St. Thomas DSD Symposium

As I mentioned in a recent post, the University of St. Thomas Law School held a terrific symposium on November 13, entitled Dispute System Design: Justice, Accountability and Impact. They have posted a video of the symposium as well as powerpoints from most of the presentations. Kudos to Mariana Hernandez Crespo, Heidi Van De Berg, … Continue reading Video and Powerpoints from Fabulous St. Thomas DSD Symposium →

Why and How Corporations Use PEDR – Preliminary Findings

On Friday, I was honored to join the all-star cast – including keynoter Lisa Blomgren Amsler, Jackie Font-Guzmán, Susan Franck, Tim Hedeen, Mariana Hernandez Crespo, Jan Martinez, Jackie Nolan-Haley, Jen Reynolds, Colin Rule, Andrea Schneider, Nancy Welsh, and Maureen Weston – at St. Thomas Law School’s Symposium, Dispute System Design: Justice, Accountability and Impact. I … Continue reading Why and How Corporations Use PEDR – Preliminary Findings →

Missouri Scholarship Booklet

Tis the season of the US News tournament, when our mailboxes fill with literature touting the achievements of law schools far and wide.  Most of us think that this “game” is seriously flawed and wish our schools didn’t have play the game, but we generally feel compelled to do so because of the significant consequences. … Continue reading Missouri Scholarship Booklet →

What Makes Lawyers Happy? – And How Can You Help?

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Money can’t buy me love. – Paul McCartney   As a corollary to psychologist McCartney’s insight, money can’t buy lawyers (much) happiness. That’s one of the key findings of Lawrence Krieger and Kennon Sheldon’s impressive study, What Makes Lawyers Happy?: A Data-Driven Prescription to Redefine Professional Success. This post includes excerpts from this article, sans … Continue reading What Makes Lawyers Happy? – And How Can You Help? →

Good Anger

An article in the New York Times, The Rationality of Rage, summarizes the findings of several studies about when expressing anger can be productive. Despite the catchy title of the article, expressing rage generally isn’t helpful.  But expressing anger can be useful in some situations. The article distinguishes three types of negotiations – primarily cooperative … Continue reading Good Anger →

Satisfaction Through Service

Life can be darn irritating.  In a NYT op-ed piece, Arthur Brooks argues that “When I am working for myself, any disappointing outcome is a stressful, unpleasant reflection on me.  When I am serving, on the other hand, the work is always intrinsically valuable because of its intention.  Adopting a service mind-set guarantees some measure … Continue reading Satisfaction Through Service →