Virtual Mediation
There are occasions when one or all of the mediation participants need alternative attendance options. We have several options for parties to meaningfully participate in their scheduled mediation hearings.
100% Virtual Video Conference
Instead of everyone convening in the same physical location, the participants join an online meeting. The parties will all virtually check in on the day and time of the mediation from their respective locations and will then be assigned their own private breakout virtual conference room. Parties and counsel may appear from as many separate locations as they desire. When the parties are assigned to their breakout room, the participants will be able to privately speak with each other throughout the day and communicate privately with the mediator. We set up the virtual rooms in the same way we would at a traditional in-person mediation: typically, a plaintiff room, a defendant room, and an additional invitation-only room for “private” chats with the lawyers.
Technical Requirements
We use the Zoom online meeting service for our video mediations which is similar to Facetime, Skype, or other video conferencing technology. We have found that zoom works best for mediations. The only requirement for video conferencing would be that you have access to high-speed internet and a camera on your computer/laptop, phone or iPad. DocuSign will be used for any necessary document signing. You would also need to download Zoom videoconferencing software.