I’ve heard from fellow lawyers more than a few times: “I’m just going to get my mediation certification so I can start building my mediation practice for when I’m ready to slow down.” Having mediated for a few years now, these statements make my skin crawl.
Being a mediator is often thought of as just that. A nice way to transition out of an active litigation process and toward retirement. Or, said another way, slowing down. I think that mentality, which is fairly pervasive among lawyers, does a disservice to the mediation process.