157: Jan Schau of Schau Mediation discusses mediation with us.

Jan Frankel Schau, Esq.of Schau Mediation is one of the leading mediators in the industry, recently being named by the Daily Journal as one of the 50 “Top Neutrals” in California.  Ms. Schau settles litigated cases arising out of employment, business and tort disputes. With over twenty years of experience as a litigator – 10 years in Insurance Defense and 10 years representing Plaintiffs in employment, business and personal injury – Jan has an unique ability to understand and evaluate both sides of every claim. She is also a popular speaker and author of the book, “View from the Middle of the Road: A Mediator’s Perspective on Life, Conflict and Human Interaction”.

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Fail fast to succeed faster

• Jan tells us that initially she was marketing to the wrong people.  individuals that couldn’t afford mediation.
• Jan was enchanted with the whole world of mediation, and spent her time and resources there – – ultimately, that was not good marketing as mediators weren’t going to be her clients.

Tell us something good

• Hear Jan tells us about a young woman that had a transformative experience with Jan and “grew up” in Jan’s office at the conclusion of a dispute.
• Jan explains that she gives people the space they need to reach the resolution that they are working towards.

What’s on your desk?

• Jan is currently working on an account issue, a disability discrimination case and an employment case.

Favorite Resource

• LinkedIn.com – It’s the professional version of Facebook

Favorite Books:

• The Moral Imagination: The Art and Soul of Building PeaceJohn Paul Lederach’s work in the field of conciliation and mediation is internationally recognized. As founding Director of the Conflict Transformation Program and Institute of Peacebuilding at Eastern Mennonite University, he has provided consultation and direct mediation in a range of situations. In this new book he explores the evolution of his understanding of peacebuilding by reflecting on his own experiences in the field. Peacebuilding, in his view, is both a learned skill and an art. Finding this art, he says, requires a worldview shift. Conflict professionals must envision their work as a creative act – an exercise of what Lederach terms the “moral imagination.”
• View From the Middle of the Road : A Mediator’s Perspective on Life, Conflict, and Human Interaction Every day in mediation offices around the world, parties come together to tell their unique story as it relates to a conflict in their lives. In a single, prescient day, they expect to end their pending litigation. Sometimes the resolution requires money. Other times it requires an apology, an explanation or an agreement to put the conflict behind the disputants and move forward in peace. Sometimes, it just requires an impartial set of ears, an open heart and a willing third party to lead the way with dignity, decency and humanity. Such is the life of a mediator.

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Miranda McCroskey – host of Lawpreneur Radio