The Red Velvet Lawyer

Meeting of my "Tribe" Plenary Sessions Offered by Leaders in the Field Last week-end, over 85 members of the Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) gathered for its Fall training conference. VMN is the largest state-wide organization of mediation practitioners, trainers, and scholars in Virginia.   Attendees enjoyed clear fall weather at the Wyndham Virginia Crossings Hotel in Glen Allen, Virginia, a lovely Colonial-style facility on 20-acres of park/golf course just north of Richmond.   The 2-day event offered three plenary presentations by leaders in the field: Plenary Session on Careers in the Field On Saturday morning, Bob Rhudy presented a Plenary Session based on his article, “ Engaging Conflict for Fun and Profit: Current and Emerging Career Trends in Conflict Resolution .” His paper on the topic appears here . During this interactive session, Bob shared the results of his research and engaged participants in a discussion...

Recognizing the Leaders  in Our Field Last week-end, the Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) bestowed its highest honor on my friend and colleague, Jeanette Twomey. This award is presented annually to a prominent member of the mediation community in Virginia who demonstrates personal and professional commitment to advancing peaceful conflict resolution. Candidates are recognized for one or more of the following qualities: leadership in promoting and advancing the field of mediation;  innovation in the development of mediation programs or creative applications of mediation;  significant published writings on the subject of mediation;  exemplary pro bono mediation service;  cutting edge advanced mediation training; or  dedication of time and energy to an active mediation practice that supports collaborative problem solving.  Candidates must exemplify personal and professional integrity and respect for others, as well as demonstrated commit...

This week, I held my last Board meeting as President of the Virginia Mediation Network (VMN).  It was a bittersweet moment giving me a chance to reflect back on all we had accomplished and the chance to say: "What's next!" I remember the first meeting I conducted as VMN President, in October 2012.  I arrived frazzled and exhausted after staying up most of the night reading all the copies I could assemble of the minutes of past-Board meetings.  I was trying to find the loose threads that I might need to follow or tie up. Then I turned my attention to my Dad's very old, yellow-stained, version of the Robert's Rules of Order that he had used as President of some professional organization a long time ago. I was trying to learn how to conduct the meeting the next day. I was overwhelmed, but worked hard to be ready for the trust my tribe had placed in me.  As part of that personal growth of trusting myself and earning the trust of my tribe, I had: Attended a...

Several years ago, the University of Missouri-Colum bia School of Law held its annual training for new mediators.   I served as a role-play coach and evaluator.  Those of us who have been through that training call it the “baby” mediation training.  Its principle purpose, in my mind, is to show the participants how little they know, even after they complete the training, and the significant challenges a mediator faces.  Mediation is not for sissies. After three days of training, many of this year’s participants began to realize that mediation is hard work.   Several trainees realized that good mediation requires rough and tough litigators to move out of their comfort zones.   Good mediation requires a different set of skills from those used regularly by trial lawyers. Missouri Supreme Court Rule 17 requires new mediators to have at least sixteen hours of “appropriate” training.   These requirements are quite modest.   Virgin...

Virginia Mediation Network (VMN) President’s Message January 2013 The VMN Board of Directors met on January 12, 2013 to begin an intensive strategic planning process.    On the long drive back into the Central Appalachian Mountains, I stopped to visit my former research assistant.  Shortly after the shootings at the Sandy Hook Elementary School, I sent an email asking how she was doing.  You see, she is one of the people who survived the shootings at my own little school on January 16, 2002.  She has suffered for ten years with severe PTSD.   She immediately blocked media reports of the shooting, found comfort in friends and family, and coped as best she can with her persistent symptoms.  Many of you may remember that tragedy in which a student, who had learned he would be academically dismissed, murdered our Dean (a new father), a much beloved professor, and a student.  The shooter, later diagnosed as suffering from ...