Cognitive Biases and Mediation

Cognitive Biases and Mediation

Friday, December 11th, 2020

12:00 pm - 1:30 pm

Location: Virtual ZOOM

Please join AMA for our December meeting on Cognitive Biases and the ethics of Evaluative vs. Facilitative Mediation. Mediator Steve Schulwolf will discuss some common pitfalls attorneys and parties face in evaluating cases and possible ways mediators can attempt to address them. Studies show humans employ short-cuts that often lead to faulty decision-making. Behavioral scientists have identified cognitive biases that cause people to act against their best interests. These biases can significantly impact settlements and litigation. In suggesting methods for dealing with cognitive biases, Mr. Schulwolf will discuss ethical issues, including the fact that the mediator’s role is not to “correct” a party’s biases, but rather to assist all parties in accurately assessing litigation risk in order to exercise their self-determination and reach a mutually beneficial settlement.

Registration: Free to members / $15 for non-members. Registration is now open to non-members. Registration is limited to 100 total participants. Become a member now for as little as $35!

One and a half (1.5) hours of mediator CE for those who attend.

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**One and a half (1.5) hours of MCLE, including one and a half (1.5) hours of ethics is approved for this activity by the State Bar of Texas.  For those attendees who wish to receive 1.5 hrs. of Texas CLE, including 1.5 hrs. of ethics, there will be an additional $5 added to registration to cover the State Bar fees.**

Presenter:

Steve Schulwolf is an attorney with over 25 years of litigation experience. Steve represented clients in trial and appellate courts in numerous jurisdictions throughout the country and advised clients at mediations of several multi-million dollar matters. After practicing at a large firm Steve taught at a law school in Plovdiv, Bulgaria. After returning to the U.S. he founded Michaels, Schulwolf & Salerno (formerly Michaels & May) where he served as the managing shareholder. Steve has transitioned to mediation where he has a passion for assisting parties in resolving their disputes or, at the very least, better understanding their litigation risks.