Description:

Noon to 1:30 p.m.
Please provide your own lunch – no charge to attend

This roundtable discussion will address the issue of preserving and increasing the health and cognitive abilities of the mediator and parties, while keeping in balance the focus of resolving the dispute. We have all heard of the “Twinkie Defense.” What is the effect of consumption of sugar on cognitive ability of the participants in a mediation? In this discussion, we will explore the effect of sugar, lack of food, hydration and rest periods on the participants in a mediation, including the mediator. Can mediators affect the outcome of the mediation by offering healthy food, beverages and/or break periods for the participants? As the mediator, do you ever have the parties take a food break, while you continue negotiating with the other party? Have you had a situation where the parties want to continue in the mediation session for another hour or two to try to close the deal, when a break for food and hydration are needed for you or for them? In trying to reach the ultimate resolution of the dispute, do mediators forgo healthy eating, fluids and breaks? Finally, we will explore short mediation techniques for the mediator to use during the mediation to increase cognitive abilities.

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