Langella Dispute Resolution Services - LDRS

As many of you know, I've been a mediator and arbitrator for the past 10 years. I'm pleased to announce that this year I was selected by my peers in the Massachusetts Bar as a Super Lawyer in the practice of Alternative Dispute Resolution.

As always, I'm here to help you resolve your dispute. You can reach me at [email protected] or through my website at www.LangellaADR.com.

I had the privilege of conducting a mediation a few weeks ago that was a mediator's dream (or at least mine)! The parties were $4 million apart between the ask and the offer in what appeared to be a typical commercial dispute. Discovery was all but complete, so each side knew their strengths and weaknesses. Counsel on both sides were top notch and extremely well prepared. Once an emotional obstacle to resolving the case was vetted and addressed, the parties were able to bridge that $4 million gap and settle their dispute.

Mediation is only effective if both sides are willing to talk and consider offers and demands in a reasonable and rational manner. In the educational arena, when a teachers' strike occurs, it’s even more difficult, as there are many people affected other than the teachers who are looking for better pay and other employment-related benefits, as this article shows. Students are affected, parents are affected, and others who rely on an operating school system are affected. With escalating, daily fines being imposed by the court system, this type of situation requires the mediator to discern rather quickly what the true interests are of each side and whether those interests can realistically be addressed/satisfied by the other side. Not an easy thing to do.

Newton teachers' strike continues, school canceled for fourth day Contract negotiations between the school committee and teachers' union are being described as "very far apart."

I'm sure many of you have been following the actor's and writer's strike in Hollywood. I came across this article from NPR and thought Joshua F. from the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service did a great job breaking down the positive impact mediation can have when negotiations between the parties themselves have reached an impasse.

Linking the article below and would love to hear your thoughts.

https://www.npr.org/2023/07/13/1187435417/amid-a-writers-strike-contract-between-actors-union-and-major-studies-expires

Amid a writers strike, contract between actors' union and major studios expires NPR's A Martinez talks to the Federal Mediation and Conciliation Service's Joshua Flax about the role of mediators in contract standoffs following last-ditch talks between SAG-AFTRA and major studios.