Larry Bodkin ’53 Writes :

Class Notes
Class of 1953
Posted on October 31, 2014

Dated: Wed, 11 Jun 2014

> > Hugh,
> >
> > I have not climbed any mountains lately, but in my practice as a lawyer I have had rewarding experiences in the field of mediation.
> >
> > Mediation is a process whereby a skilled mediator, usually someone who serves on the mediation panel of a court, meets with the opposing parties in a pending lawsuit and attempts to achieve a settlement of the dispute without the case having to go to trial. The mediator has no authority to decide the case. This is in contrast to an arbitration wherein the arbitrator can make a binding decision.
> >
> > Mediation is getting more and more popular. I serve on the mediation panels of the Federal Courts in New York City. Recently, I have been successful in getting the parties to settle their dispute, thus avoiding the enormous time and expense of going to trial. This makes me feel good, the parties are glad to settle, and most of all, the Judges are happy because they don’t have to decide the case.
> >
> > Best regards to you and your family.
> >
> > Larry

Hugh Smith

1953

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