This presentation is designed to provide attendees with a better understanding of the integration of Florida’s impartiality, self-determination and conflict of interest rules, MEAC Opinions and appellate court decisions relating to mediators and arbitrators.  The difficulties with the disclosure and resolution of conflict of interest issues with parties and potential unrelated third parties (e.g., potential witnesses) will be explored.  The presenters will show how various decisions and opinions connect impartiality, self-determination and conflicts of interest rules in ADR proceedings.  Discussion will also center on which conflicts of interest are waivable and which are not waivable.

When a couple determines that the next step in their relationship is separation or divorce,
mindfulness during the transition is a great challenge. “Conscious Uncoupling” is essential
to resolving family matters. Our session will focus on the process options that allow for a
conscious uncoupling, consistent with the best interests for families. Workshop participants
will be provided with techniques to help clients achieve a peaceful dissolution of marriage
from start to finish, using family-centered protocols. We will cover several alternative dispute
resolution methods, the pros and cons of each, and concentrate on actual case examples from
the pre-suit, pro-se mediation model, where the parties often seek to rely upon the mediator
for guidance. We will explore in detail the ethical and practical considerations of each model.
We are licensed attorneys, each with more than 25 years of relevant experience, and together
we have helped thousands of couples consciously navigate divorce.

This presentation will teach appellate mediators why preservation is important and provide an understanding of the various methods of preserving error.

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