Ken Strongman, Esq. – Mediator

Tag: mediation

  • Task #8: How will you know you have developed an agreement at the end of the mediation?

    Task #8: How will you know you have developed an agreement at the end of the mediation?

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    Task #8: How will you know you have developed an agreement at the end of the mediation?

    Using your results from Tasks 6 and 7, what objective criteria could you use with the other parties to the mediation to develop a fair and constructive voluntary agreement to settle the matter?

    Mediation is not “splitting the baby” or just splitting the difference between the parties.  But it is composed of hard negotiations between the parties.  It is important to begin constructing for yourself just what a voluntary agreement between the parties would look like.  Remember each party will be doing the same, so each will have to believe that the settlement is fair to them as well.

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Thoughts from an optimistic former student

    Thoughts from an optimistic former student

    Thoughts from an optimistic former student is one of the privileges of teaching is getting feedback from my students’ years after I taught them.  Here is a recent example:

    I am writing this letter to recommend Professor Ken Strongman for the Adjunct Professor at John F. Kennedy University. He is one of the best professors I have or will ever come across, in all aspects of teaching and personality. I know other students would agree with me.

    What I most admire about Professor Strongman is his remarkable ability to stimulate students and add personality to the course material. Students can feel his optimism. He treats everybody with respect and professionalism. His teaching style makes students listen attentively to him. He is also very organized. His assignments were clear and he would provide individual feedback to each student regarding mistakes/strong points.

    Professor Ken Strongman does not only teach exceptionally well but he also cares a lot about the level of understanding of each student. He is one of those rare professors that take the extra effort to make sure all students that need extra help are accommodated, despite his busy schedule. He is one of the most caring professors that I have ever known since I started the Paralegal Program at JFK University. He was very courteous and helpful with all the students. I really enjoyed learning from Mr. Strongman, and his qualities are countless.

    I understand that is up to the student to be successful in all the assignments, however, the effort of a professor makes all the difference in helping students reach their full potential. If we would have professors like Professor Ken Strongman teaching everything, then I am positive that every student will be eager to learn and go beyond expectations.

    Aldine Woodman, Legal Services Professional

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2013 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Task #7: What do you truly disagree upon with your mediation opponents?

    Task #7: What do you truly disagree upon with your mediation opponents?

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    Task #7: What do you truly disagree upon with your mediation opponents?

    In Task #6, you were asked to search for some potential common ground you might have with your mediation opponents to help facilitate a voluntary agreement to settle this matter.   Now you need to flip the question around and come up with the significant issues that you disagree upon.

    Strangely enough this will help the mediator to focus the mediation session upon the real and lasting issues of the dispute.   Then everyone can focus on the task at hand to develop together a voluntary agreement to resolve the dispute.  For example, breach of contract might be agreed upon, but whether it is a major or minor breach is the true disagreement.  Likewise, there might not be a disagreement on liability but it is the measure of damages that is the true dispute.   Even then, there might be considerable agreement.

    Review these disagreements with your attorney and confidentially with the mediator.

    Ken StrongmanAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Thoughts from a former student wanting more mediation knowledge

    Thoughts from a former student wanting more mediation knowledge

    Thoughts from a former student wanting more mediation knowledge is one of the privileges of teaching is getting feedback from my students’ years after I taught them.  Here is a recent example:

    Ken Strongman did an excellent job teaching law and mediation at JFK University for the Paralegal program. I enjoyed Ken’s class and learned a lot about how effective mediation can be difficult situations, such as divorce and custody cases. Ken is very knowledgeable in this topic and I would take future classes from him in the future. I can strongly recommend him for both the practice of mediation and as an instructor.

    Christine Dunbar, Principle Regulatory Affairs, Boston Scientific Corporation

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Task #6: Do you agree on anything?

    Task #6: Do you agree on anything?

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    Task #6: What do you and the other parties agree upon? 

    These can be significant or minor issues in the dispute.   Anything will do.  The purpose is to build a voluntary resolution to the dispute.

    Can you agree that there is a dispute?  If you can’t agree to that there is a dispute, then what will we have to do to have a successful mediation?

    Other more obvious agreements might be:  Is there a written contract?  Is this the contract?  Does each party have enough information to evaluate the case?  Can you agree on dates, times, people involved significantly in the dispute?.

    Be prepared to not only share your results with you attorney but with the mediator as well.  Because of your efforts now, at the mediation you will be able to cut though to a voluntary agreement almost effortlessly.

    Ken StrongmanAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Energetic and optimistic thoughts from a former student

    Energetic and optimistic thoughts from a former student

    Energetic and optimistic thoughts from a former student is one of the privileges of teaching is getting feedback from my students’ years after I taught them.  Here is a recent example:

    I always enjoyed Professor Strongman’s Legal Ethics classes when I was studying in John F. Kennedy’s Paralegal Certificate Program. Professor Strongman is one of the best professors I have or will ever come across, in all aspects of teaching and personality.

    What I most admire about Professor Strongman is his remarkable ability to stimulate students and add personality to the course material. Students can feel the energy and optimism radiate from his teaching. His dynamic teaching style makes students listen attentively to him. The time he spends to give feedback for the assignments helps everyone understand what the most common mistakes were, and provides individual feedback to each student with regards to his/her weak and strong points.

    Professor Strongman does not only teach exceptionally well but he also cares a lot about the level of understanding of each student. He takes the extra effort to make sure all students that need extra help are accommodated, despite his busy schedule. His lectures are highly organized, and the level of attention he gives to his students is unsurpassed. It is tough to mention all of his amazing qualities here and the ones mentioned above only scratch the surface.

    We all have to strive to achieve the best. In universities, the effort of a professor makes all the difference in helping students reach their full potential. If we would have professors like Professor Strongman, then I am positive that every student will be eager to learn and achieve their academic goals.

    Shan Li, Paralegal, Severson & Werson

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Task #5: Do you really want to settle this dispute through mediation?

    Task #5: Do you really want to settle this dispute through mediation?

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    The purpose of mediation is to reach a voluntary agreement with the other parties.  It is not something imposed upon the parties by the mediator. It’s your choice to decide to reach a voluntary agreement rather than to continue to fight.

    Task #5: Can you work towards a voluntary agreement if it would satisfy your interests and the interests of the other parties?

    You will need to discuss this issue with your attorney and the mediator.  If you are not willing to cooperate with the other parties to find a voluntary solution to the problem, then your attorney and the mediator need to decide if a mediation session at this time is appropriate.   It would not benefit you, if you were not willing to arrive at a solution the dispute.

    As the mediator, I would want to discuss with you and your attorney what the impediments to reaching a solution to the problem.   Once these impediments are identified, we can develop potential solutions.

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Thoughts from a former student on learning ethics.

    Thoughts from a former student on learning ethics.

    Thoughts from a former student on learning ethics is one of the privileges of teaching is getting feedback from my students’ years after I taught them.  Here is a recent example:

    Ken taught me the importance of ethical behavior in all dealings, personal and profession. He also is a great model of patience and listening, which is why he is such an excellent teacher and mediator.

    Nancy Krieg, Law Student, William Mitchell College of Law, Saint Paul, MN

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Task #4: How are you going to deal with them after the dispute?

    Task #4: How are you going to deal with them after the dispute?

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    Task #4: How are you going to deal with them after the dispute?

    In the previous task, you were asked to describe what you wanted life and/or business to look like five years after the dispute has been resolved.   This task is more focused on how you are going to deal with your opponents five to ten years after the dispute is resolved.

    The easy answer to this question is that ‘I never want anything to do with them again.’  If the dispute is an automobile accident then that might work as an answer.  But if your opponents are commercial suppliers, customers, fellow businesses in a limited market, employees or employers, neighbors, and even family, the question becomes a lot more challenging.

    I have mediated boundary line and other disputes between neighbors.  It becomes a lot more difficult to resolve when both neighbors realize that they will still be living next door to each other for possibly decades.  I have also mediated disputes with family owned business.  They had to take into account the likelihood of having to sit down for Thanksgiving dinner with each other.  There were also the unintended impacts on other family relationships that were not in dispute.  Commercial enterprises need to evaluate the publicity of the dispute and the possible need for an on going business relationship now and in the future.

    Carefully list and count the costs regarding different solutions to the dispute.  Might there be a better settlement that reduces future conflict.  Also evaluate the costs of litigating the dispute to its conclusion on the future relationship to your opponents.

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.

  • Task #3: Visualize the future beyond the dispute.

    Task #3: Visualize the future beyond the dispute.

    The resolution of a dispute does not just occur on the day of the mediation.   Each participant to mediation needs to prepare their own strategy for negotiation in the settlement.  Based on my experience as a mediator, these are a collection of tasks each participant needs to complete and to discuss with their council and the mediator before the mediation.

    These tasks and the discussion with the mediator are confidential.   They are confidential under both Attorney Client privilege and under mediation confidential provisions in court rules, statutes, and standards.

    Task #3:  Where do you want to be in five years after this mediation? 

    Develop a basic description or visualize what life and/or business would be like in five to ten years?  What does life and/or business look like after the resolution of this dispute?  How will you spend your time, money and talent?

    The purpose of this exercise is to get you to think what life might be like after the resolution of this dispute.  Right now you are in the middle of the dispute and its immediate aftermath.  You have spent time – a lot of time, money and energy on various aspects of the dispute.   If it is a commercial dispute, you will have gone through the disruption of preparing and doing the discovery process.  If it is personal injury, you will have endured lost work while being deposed in depositions.  You have spent considerable time wondering if you will win in court.  Have you spent time thinking about life after the dispute is resolved.  What does that look like?

    Discuss this with your attorney and confidentially with your mediator.

    Ken Strongman, MediatorAbout the Author: Ken Strongman (www.kpstrongman.com) has years of experience and a growing national reputation as a mediator and arbitrator.  He has successfully resolved more than a thousand disputes in the fields of construction defects, real estate, intellectual property, and employment.  He is also a Mediator and Arbitrator for FINRA.

    © 2020 Ken Strongman. All Rights Reserved. Please do not copy or repost without permission.