As my second Christmas as a mediator approaches, I’ve found myself reflecting on the lessons and surprises this role has brought. Transitioning from lawyer to mediator has required new skills, a different mindset and a willingness to keep learning. Today I’m sharing some of my key reflections so far.

The most striking realisation has been that mediation is its own discipline, distinct from legal practice. Even after years of acting as an advocate in mediations, stepping into the mediator’s chair revealed how much dedicated training and feedback matter. Building trust and rapport is at the heart of the process. Credibility helps but it’s the relationships formed with lawyers and clients, often during those quieter moments, that make the work meaningful and productive. Patience and optimism are indispensable, especially when negotiations stall or doubts creep in. I’ve learned that maintaining a positive, solution-focused mindset can keep everyone moving forward, even when energy in the room is flagging.

Emotional intelligence sits at the core of effective mediation and recognising the emotional currents that run beneath the surface is essential. It’s about helping participants acknowledge these feelings of fear, frustration and uncertainty without letting them derail the process. Preparation is also vital, though it looks different from advocacy. Mediators must know the issues and the people but also remain flexible and ready to adapt as dynamics shift.

Three common mistakes I see in approaching negotiations include insufficient preparation, an over-formal approach that misses the more collaborative tone of mediation and treating negotiation as a mere platform for argument rather than a process of mutual discovery. I’m grateful to the legal community for the encouragement and support during this career transition and I look forward to more opportunities to learn and collaborate in the coming year. Wishing everyone a restful Christmas and a positive start to the new year.

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