Zoom and the virtual age have caused enormous changes for the legal field and, with it, mediation. I'm all for efficiency and practical problem solving. Mediations, however, are often a reminder of the value of meeting face-to-face, and the role the mediator and the lawyers can play in helping the clients through the process of evaluation of risk and resolution. I have definitely resolved some cases in person which I'm not sure we would have virtually. There is a human element to conflict that sometimes requires more connection, compassion and attention to resolve than can be conveyed through a screen.
