I attended a Continuing Legal Education session on mediation tonight. The evening started with a discussion of the goals of mediation, and then proceeded to a role playing exercise designed to demontrate the techniques described earlier. One of the most important first principles is try to choose your mediator, so that you get a mediator whose style suits your case. Prepare your client for the need to compromise. As a mediator, keep your voice low and put plenty of options on the table. Be prepared for mediation to be an emotional experience. As a mediator, remember that the most valuable thing a mediator can offer is himself, and that a mediator's continued involvement can be necessary to bring about a long term resolution.