Sometimes “it’s not about the money” or so the saying goes. Is there any validity to that phrase, though, and does an apology have value in mediation? Well, not just in mediation – that’s our focus, however. A good example of the value of an apology is reported in this story in the Arizona Daily Star.
What’s curious is even though the City Attorney and Risk Manager said they couldn’t discuss the case because of the pending lawsuit, how is it that they were seemingly comfortable reporting to the press the statements and negotiations made during mediation? Plaintiff’s counsel had the same comfort level. What about confidentiality folks? Whose privilege is it anyway?
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