Earlier this week, Robert A. "Bob" Cole, a principal and mediator with Upchurch Watson White & Max, and Sarah I. Zabel, a South Florida-based neutral, presented a continuing legal education Webinar as part of the Florida Defense Lawyers Association's Trial Series -- Arbitration and Mediation Skills. Their specific topic was professionalism in negotiation and how it consistently improves mediation results for attorneys.
"Arbitrations or mediations are performed on most cases in Florida. Especially during the pandemic, more and more judges were ordering parties to (alternative dispute resolution)," the FDLA's description of the Nov. 16, 2021, Zoom Webinar said. Ms. Zabel and Mr. Cole "will discuss useful strategies for resolving claims and will teach you effective techniques and skills to put into practice. These techniques will help you get beyond the impasse."
The series is a new one. "This year, the Florida Defense Lawyers Association launched a skills series, focusing on the 'how-to' of being a litigator and trial lawyer," said Kansas Gooden, president of the FDLA's board of directors and a Miami-based shareholder with Boyd & Jenrette PA. "Arbitration and mediation skills are vital to every defense attorney’s practice. We are appreciative of Bob Cole and Sarah Zabel who took time out from their busy practices to teach these skills and take numerous questions from our members."