How to Train Your Attorney – Tip 3: Require Early Mediation

I previously posted about the use of early mediation as an important tool for significantly lessening a client’s overall legal costs.  Further, in many cases, it will fall upon the client to initiate a discussion about this course of action.  Many attorneys will resist, saying they need to initiate discovery to fully understand the case and assess liability, and without this discovery mediation is a waste of time.  I couldn’t disagree more.  I personally have seen many hard cases settle  (that I thought had no chance to settle) from early mediation.  If you take this step seriously, and find a great mediator, for a small upfront investment, you can save boatloads of time, effort and money.