Released on: November 14, 2007, 12:18 pm

Press Release Author: Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.

Industry: Non Profit

Press Release Summary: Want to know how to use e-mail effectively in mediation? Need
tips and tactics to get the results you want? Let respected Bay State attorney and
mediation expert David A. Hoffman show you how to master the \"ins\" and \"outs\" of the
electronic mediation room.

Press Release Body: Chelmsford, Massachusetts - November 14, 2007 - Want to know how
to use e-mail effectively in mediation? Need tips and tactics to get the results you
want?

Join the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation on Thursday, November 29 from 4
p.m. to 6 p.m. at the Needham Free Public Library for a special workshop, "Bringing
Peace into the Electronic Mediation Room: How To Communicate Collaboratively in
Cyberspace." Respected attorney and mediation expert David A.
Hoffman will share the "ins" and "outs" of using e-mail in a mediation setting.

While there is no substitute for face-to-face communication in mediation, in some
cases communication between sessions is done by e-mail, via attachments, and by
phone conference. There is an emerging sense of etiquette in these arenas (some call
it \"netiquette,\" for e-mail communications), but beyond politeness, what are the
techniques that mediators can use to foster collaboration and productive
negotiations using electronic media?

This workshop will use specific examples of what works and doesn\'t work, as well as
address some of the technical issues, such as meta-data and the use of
word-processing vs. PDF document formats. The format will be interactive, with lots
of time for people to share their mishaps and positive experiences in the electronic
mediation room.

"E-mail and the Internet have become ubiquitous in our lives and often cause huge
misunderstandings," emphasizes Hoffman. "The purpose of this workshop is to sharpen
our electronic communication skills and help mediators from inadvertently adding
fuel to the fire of conflict."

Hoffman is a mediator, arbitrator and Collaborative Law attorney at Boston Law
Collaborative, LLC. He is the chair of the Collaborative Law Committee of the ABA
Section of Dispute Resolution and co-founder of the Massachusetts Collaborative Law
Council. He also teaches Mediation at Harvard Law School.

This quarterly professional development workshop is open to MCFM members, their
guests, and prospective members. "These meetings are invaluable for a mediator\'s
professional development and a wonderful opportunity to network," says MCFM
President Lynda Robbins. "They are an outstanding member benefit and I urge all
members to attend."

Robbins also encourages prospective members to participate. "It's a great
opportunity to see what MCFM is all about in an informal atmosphere," she noted.
"Everyone is welcome."

For more information, contact MCFM at masscouncil@mcfm.org or 781-449-4430.

* * *

About the Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.:

MCFM is a nonprofit organization established more than 25 years ago by family
mediators interested in sharing knowledge and setting guidelines for family
mediation. MCFM is the oldest professional organization in Massachusetts dedicated
to family mediation.

MCFM serves the public and its members by

-- Providing information about divorce and family mediation
-- Maintaining a mediator referral directory
-- Publishing the "Family Mediation Quarterly"
-- Providing continuing education to divorce mediators and other professionals
-- Setting standards to guide the professional practice of mediation
-- Offering a certification program for qualified members

MCFM's Web address is http://www.mcfm.org. The council can be reached by phone at
781-449-4430 or by e-mail at masscouncil@mcfm.org.

Web Site: http://mcfm.org

Contact Details: Lynda Robbins, President
Massachusetts Council on Family Mediation, Inc.
978-256-8178
masscouncil@mcfm.org