214. The Best Mediation Tips for Lawyers: A Conversation with Jeff Kichaven

In this podcast episode, Gary, host of "The Free Lawyer," welcomes Jeff Kichaven, a seasoned business mediator, to discuss the transition from litigation to mediation and the challenges lawyers face in the adversarial legal system. Jeff shares his journey and the factors that influenced his shift to mediation, including the desire for a more balanced life and the emotional toll of litigation. They explore the changing dynamics of the legal profession, the misconceptions about mediation, and the importance of emotional intelligence in dispute resolution. Jeff also advises lawyers on preparing for mediation, emphasizing the need for understanding biases and the mediator's role. The conversation touches on the broader implications of mediation for the legal system and the importance of personal well-being and relationships for professional success. Jeff Kichaven is one of America’s premier mediators.  He has been “Ranked in Chambers” on the US list of top mediators for the past five years, and “Who’s Who Legal” lists him as a ”Global Elite Thought Leader” in mediation, one of only six in the US and 28 in the world.  He is a Phi Beta Kappa Graduate of the University of California, Berkeley (Economics, 1977) and an Honors Graduate of Harvard Law School (J.D. Cum Laude, 1980).  He has been a full-time mediator in private practice since 1996.  He is an Elected Member of the American Law Institute, and has been named California Lawyer Attorney of the Year in ADR.  “Best Lawyers” has listed him as one of the Best Mediation Lawyers in Los Angeles for over 15 straight years, and honored him as the single Best Mediation Lawyer in Los Angeles in 2015.  In 2010, the Asian Pacific American Dispute Resolution Center honored him with its Special Award for Excellence in Mediation.  His views on mediation have been cited in The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. Would you like to learn more about Breaking Free or order your copy? https://www.garymiles.net/break-free  Would you like to schedule a complimentary discovery call? You can do so here: https://calendly.com/garymiles-successcoach/one-one-discovery-call