CBA LAW SERIES 2018

Presented by the CBA Alternative Dispute Resolution Section and Family Law Section

The Meeting of Minds: Accommodating Mental Health Needs at the Negotiating Table

Individuals with mental illness face social stigma and heightened barriers to accessing justice.  However, the symptoms of mental illness and their effects often mesh badly with the demands of our legal system.

Whether acting on behalf of a party with a mental illness, representing an adverse interest, or mediating a dispute involving a party with a mental illness, legal professionals need to know how to discern and respond effectively to the issue rather than treating it as fatal to the process.

Our presenters are a lawyer and a psychologist who both regularly work in the mediation and ADR contexts. Drawing on their knowledge and experience, they will provide valuable insight into how lawyers and mediators can identify the symptoms of mental illness and best ensure the dispute resolution process accommodates parties with mental illness.

This webinar will provide essential skills for lawyers and mediators working with parties with mental illness, including:

• Recognizing symptoms of mental illness during negotiation and dispute resolution;
• Responding to mental illness-related problems arising in the course of ADR;
• Practical tips and strategies for constructively engaging parties in a conflict;
• Ensuring resolutions “stick” in the implementation phase.

Presenters