Inside the Mediation Room: Insights and Tales from My Career as a Mediator

The most profound moments in justice don't happen in a courtroom. They happen in the fragile space where people confront pain, loss, and uncertainty, seeking a way forward.With nine thousand mediations under his belt, Judge Lawrence H. Fleischman has seen almost every kind of case there is: Famous NBA star Shaquille O'Neal who learned the hard way that sometimes it's better not to be so famous. A falsely accused murderer confronting law enforcement officials who knew he didn't do it. An anorexic woman suing the rehab facility that accidentally placed her in a group for overeaters. A divorcing husband and wife whose custody battle ended with the couple making out in the courtroom.Inside the Mediation Room: Insights and Tales from My Career as a Mediator gives us a glimpse into the crazy disputes people find themselves in and the (occasionally unconventional) ways they're resolved. At turns humorous, heartbreaking, and inspiring, Fleischman's stories help demystify this corner of our justice system, showing us what mediators do behind the scenes. More importantly, they reveal how mediation can encourage participants to be empathetic when emotions run hot . . . and help ensure fairer outcomes for everyone.