Presenting your Best Case in L&E Arbitration and Mediation – The View from the Bench (Presented by The Federal Bar Association Labor & Employment Law & Alternative Dispute Resolution Sections & Judiciary Division)

Hon. Mimi Tsankov introduces the speakers and establishes the framework for understanding labor and employment arbitration and mediation. She outlines core issues in the field and explains what perspectives from the bench mean in this context.

Laurel Stevenson shares how arbitrators evaluate labor and employment matters and identifies key elements of compelling case presentations. She covers evidence organization, witness strategy, and common pitfalls that arbitrators frequently observe.

Mimi Tsankov moderates follow-up questions regarding Laurel Stevenson’s presentation on arbitration. This segment allows for clarification and deeper exploration of arbitrator evaluation methods and presentation strategies.

Lori Adelson presents tips for presenting your best case in mediation, covering mediator expectations and effective advocacy without adversarial posturing. She addresses client preparation and strategic use of openings, caucuses, and negotiation pacing.

Mimi Tsankov moderates follow-up questions on Lori Adelson’s mediation presentation. Participants explore nuances of mediation strategy and client preparation in greater depth.

All three speakers engage in an interactive discussion comparing bench perspectives through real-world scenarios. They describe what persuades arbitrators and mediators most and address common mistakes practitioners make and how to correct them.

Mimi Tsankov moderates a live Q&A session where audience members can pose questions directly to the panel. This interactive segment allows practitioners to address specific concerns about labor and employment ADR proceedings.