Description:

“Follow-up” is universally deemed to be an important tool in a good mediator’s tool chest. There are as many approaches to remaining in contact with parties and encouraging continued dialogue as there are mediators. Hon. John M. True (Ret.) will lead a roundtable discussion using several real-life examples of follow-up efforts that have been particularly successful – and unsuccessful. We will discuss some of the legal and ethical issues (and pitfalls) that confront a mediator who continues working with the parties after the close of face-to-face discussions.

Discussion Leader

Hon. John True (ret.) practiced labor and employment law for 28 years before being appointed to the Alameda County Superior Court where he served for 11 years until his retirement in 2015.  He presided over civil trials and other civil proceedings in Oakland, California.  He was also the Chair of the Court’s ADR Administration Committee.  Judge True received his law degree from the U.C. Berkeley School of Law (Boalt Hall) in 1975.  Upon retirement from the bench, he opened a practice in mediation and arbitration with ADR Services, Inc.  Throughout his career, he has taught labor and employment law – and negotiations – at various Bay Area law schools, and is currently teaching labor law at Stanford Law School. Judge True is also a mediator and Early Neutral Evaluator for the US District Court for the Northern District of California and the Alameda County Superior Court.