The Atlanta Lawyer April 2020 | Page 27

Breakout rooms are one of the most beneficial features of the Zoom process for mediations. They simulate an “in-person” mediation by creating confidential caucus rooms that allow the parties to speak privately and use the “ask for help” feature to request the mediator to return to their breakout room when they are ready. The process can be fluid and additional breakout rooms can be created for an attorney caucus or for a lawyer to talk with the mediator outside of the presence of their client. By mediating via videoconferencing the participants are able to protect their health and importantly have the ability to resolve disputes without having to wait for an unknown time. Neutrals use secure online platforms to conduct virtual mediations and arbitrations with great success. The Atlanta Bar Dispute Resolution Section recently hosted a virtual coffee and conversation on the use of Zoom for mediations. Miles Mediation & Arbitration is hosting weekly webinars on virtual ADR and to date has conducted over 200 mediations and arbitrations through video conferencing. For mediations specifically, it is important that the participants feel comfortable throughout the process. You do not want the technology to be a distraction or a frustration the day of the mediation. Therefore, I suggest walking the lawyers and their clients through a brief tutorial in advance of the mediation just to work out any technical glitches and make sure both are comfortable with the platform. Zoom is intuitive and easy to use. Our clients enjoy using it and we have found it to be very efficient and the next best thing to a face-to- face mediation. Jennifer B. Grippa, Esq., Board member of the Atlanta Bar Dispute Resolution Section, and serves as a Neutral with Miles Mediation & Arbitration Ellen Malow, full-time Neutral with Malow Mediation & Arbitration, Inc. www.atlantabar.org THE ATLANTA LAWYER 27