Examining the beginning of mediation in Texas, questioning where we've been, what are we doing, and finishing with a series of ethical situations.

1. 25 Years of the
Texas ADR Statute with a
Heavy Dose of Ethics
Gene Roberts
northtexasnegotiations.com
Wednesday, November 14, 12

2. What is ethics?
the rules of
conduct
recognized in
respect to a
particular class of
human actions or
a particular
group, culture,
etc.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

3. Wednesday, November 14, 12

4. Wednesday, November 14, 12

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14. Steve Brutsche, “Mediation Cross-Examined,”
Business Litigation Newsletter, May 1989
Wednesday, November 14, 12

15. Steve Brutsche, “Mediation Cross-Examined,”
Business Litigation Newsletter, May 1989
Wednesday, November 14, 12

16. 1987 v 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 12

17. 1987 v 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 12

18. 1987 v 2012
1987 2012
First Class
0.22 0.45 105%
Stamp
Gallon of Gas 0.95 3.38 255%
Dozen Eggs 0.78 2.68 243%
Atty Avg
197 (2001) 234 (2009) 18%
Hourly Rate
Wednesday, November 14, 12

19. 1987 v 2012
1987 2012
First Class
0.22 0.45 105%
Stamp
Gallon of Gas 0.95 3.38 255%
Dozen Eggs 0.78 2.68 243%
Atty Avg
197 (2001) 234 (2009) 18%
Hourly Rate
Wednesday, November 14, 12

20. 1987 v 2012
1987 2012
First Class
0.22 0.45 105%
Stamp
Gallon of Gas 0.95 3.38 255%
Dozen Eggs 0.78 2.68 243%
Atty Avg
197 (2001) 234 (2009) 18%
Hourly Rate
Wednesday, November 14, 12

21. 1987 v 2012
1987 2012
First Class
0.22 0.45 105%
Stamp
Gallon of Gas 0.95 3.38 255%
Dozen Eggs 0.78 2.68 243%
Atty Avg
197 (2001) 234 (2009) 18%
Hourly Rate
Wednesday, November 14, 12

22. 1987 v 2012
1987 2012
First Class
0.22 0.45 105%
Stamp
Gallon of Gas 0.95 3.38 255%
Dozen Eggs 0.78 2.68 243%
Atty Avg
197 (2001) 234 (2009) 18%
Hourly Rate
Wednesday, November 14, 12

23. Wednesday, November 14, 12

24. Letter to Justice Nathan Hecht, August 25, 2011
Wednesday, November 14, 12

25. Final Report of the Task Force for Rules in Expedited
Actions, January 25, 2012
Wednesday, November 14, 12

26. Wednesday, November 14, 12

27. Wednesday, November 14, 12

28. Misc. Docket 11-9062
(April 11, 2011)
• Section 2 (f):
“A mediator should not simultaneously
conduct more than one mediation session
unless all parties agree to do so.”
Wednesday, November 14, 12

29. Wednesday, November 14, 12

30. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
• 2 Mediator should protect integrity/
confidentiality of the process. Continuous in
nature.
• 8 cmt. (c) Mediator should report to court
whether mediation occurred, and result of
settlement or impasse, recessed or
rescheduled.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

31. Wednesday, November 14, 12

32. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
• 11 Mediator can’t give legal or other
professional advice.
• 13 Postpone, terminate, or recess if the case
is inappropriate for mediation or one or
more of the parties is unwilling or unable to
participate in the mediation process.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

33. Wednesday, November 14, 12

34. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
• 2 Mediator should protect the integrity of
the mediation process, beginning with first
communication.
• 10 cmt. A mediator should not knowingly
misrepresent any material fact or
circumstance in the course of mediation.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

35. Wednesday, November 14, 12

36. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
Wednesday, November 14, 12

37. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
• 8 Mediator should not reveal information made
available in the mediation process, which is
privileged and confidential, unless the affected
parties agree or may be required by law.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

38. Texas Supreme Court Ethical
Guidelines for Mediators (2005)
• 8 Mediator should not reveal information made
available in the mediation process, which is
privileged and confidential, unless the affected
parties agree or may be required by law.
• 8 cmt. (a) Mediator should not permit
recordings or transcripts to be made of
mediation proceedings.
Wednesday, November 14, 12

39. 3 keys
• Confidentiality
• Impartiality
• Conflicts of Interest
Wednesday, November 14, 12

40. facebook.com/
dbaadr
Wednesday, November 14, 12

41. Advanced
Mediation
Training
Lee Jay Berman
December 13
dbamediationtraining.
eventbrite.com
Wednesday, November 14, 12

42. txmediator.org
Wednesday, November 14, 12