Akerman and the Association of Corporate Counsel Chicago will present an interactive panel discussion about what you need to understand and prepare for when entering into a mediation and what you can do as a participant to give your mediation the best chance to succeed. Akerman Bench Chair Ruben Castillo will moderate the panel and guest speakers will include the Honorable James F. Holderman, former Chief Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois, the Honorable Young B. Kim, U.S. Magistrate Judge for the Northern District of Illinois, and Julie Govreau, Senior Vice President and General Counsel of GreatBanc Trust Company.

Discussion Topics:

• The best time for mediation
• The value of pre-mediation conferences and calls
• The value of information exchange
• The value of opening statements 
• The need to inform the mediator of all relevant information 
• Realistic party expectations—understanding the mediation ground rules 
• The importance of a collaborative format to build trust 
• The importance of candor 
• What the significant guideposts are toward resolution 
• Effective post-mediation behavior