--- title: What to Expect During Mediation description: What should you expect when you show up for mediation? Read this blog to find out. image: https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/66974822_s.jpg --- [![Goosman Lawfirm](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Goosmannlaw%20October2017/images/Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png?width=1250&name=Goosmann_Law_Firm_logo_4C-white.png "Goosman Lawfirm")](http://goosmannlaw.com/) - [COVID-19 Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - Our Team - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/attorneys/) - [Non-Attorney Staff](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/non-attorney-staff/) - Practices & Industries - [Practices](https://goosmannlaw.com/practices/) - [Banking & Finance](https://goosmannlaw.com/banking-finance/) - [Bankruptcy, Restructuring & Workouts](https://goosmannlaw.com/bankruptcy-restructuring-workouts/) - [Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/business/) - [Divorce & Family Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/divorce-family-law/) - [Employment](https://goosmannlaw.com/employment-law/) - [Environmental, Health & Safety](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-safety/) - [Estate Planning](https://trustlawcounsel.com) - [Gestational Surrogacy & Adoption](https://goosmannlaw.com/gestational-surrogacy-adoption/) - [International Law](http://goosmannlaw.com/international-law/) - [Litigation / Trial Law](https://goosmannlaw.com/litigation-trial-law/) - [Local Counsel](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/local-counsel/) - [Mergers & Acquisitions](https://goosmannlaw.com/mergers-acquisitions/) - [Rapid Response](https://goosmannlaw.com/rapid-response/) - [Industries](https://goosmannlaw.com/industries/) - [Agribusiness & Cooperatives](https://goosmannlaw.com/agribusiness-cooperatives/) - [Construction](https://goosmannlaw.com/construction/) - [Cyber Law and Telecommunications](https://goosmannlaw.com/cyber-law/) - [Education](https://goosmannlaw.com/education/) - [Health Care](https://goosmannlaw.com/health-care/) - [Manufacturing](https://goosmannlaw.com/manufacturing-law/) - [Multifamily Housing](https://goosmannlaw.com/multifamily-housing-law/) - [Non-Profit & Tax Exempt Organizations](https://goosmannlaw.com/non-profit-law/) - [Real Estate](https://goosmannlaw.com/real-estate/) - [Transportation](https://goosmannlaw.com/transportation/) - [Tribal](https://goosmannlaw.com/tribal/) - Our Firm - [Firm News](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/firm-news) - Careers - [Attorneys](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/attorneys/) - [Administration](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/administration/) - [Internships](https://goosmannlaw.com/careers/internships/) - [Client Testimonials and Results](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/client-testimonials-and-results/) - [Culture, Diversity, and Community](https://http://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/culture-diversity-and-community/) - [Women-Owned Business](https://goosmannlaw.com/our-firm/women-owned-business/) - [Associations & Memberships](https://goosmannlaw.com/associations-memberships/) - [Firm History](https://goosmannlaw.com/firm-history/) - Blogs - [CEO Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/ceo-on-your-side) - [Construction Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/construction-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Cyber Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/cyber-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Deal Maker](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/deal-maker-on-your-side) - [Divorce Docket](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/divorce-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Food for Thought](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/agricultural-lawyer-on-your-side) - [HR Legal Insider](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/human-resources-on-your-side) - [Law Doc](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/health-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Paralegal Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/paralegal-review/) - [Real Estate Lawyer](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/real-estate-lawyer-on-your-side) - [Risky Business](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/risk-manager-on-your-side) - [The Banker’s Suit](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/banking-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trial Law Review](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side) - [Trust Law Counsel](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/estate-planning-laywer-on-your-side) - Resources - [COVID-19 Resource Toolbox](https://goosmannlaw.com/covid-19-resource-toolbox/) - [Podcast](http://podcast.goosmannlaw.com/) - [Videos](https://goosmannlaw.com/videos/) - [FREE eBooks & Tools](https://goosmannlaw.com/free-ebooks-tools/) - Contact Us - [Office Locations](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/) - [Sioux City Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-city-law-firm/) - [Sioux Falls Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/sioux-falls-law-firm/) - [Omaha Law Firm](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/omaha-law-firm/) - [Spirit Lake & Spencer Law Firms](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/spirit-lake-and-spencer-law-firm/) - [Real Estate Closings Office](https://goosmannlaw.com/locations/real-estate-closing-office/) - [Submit a Testimonial](https://goosmannlaw.com/submit-a-testimonial/) - [Sign Up for Our Newsletter](https://goosmannlaw.com/sign-up-for-our-newsletter/) - [Pay Online](https://goosmannlaw.com/pay-online-3/) - [  (855) 843-4531](tel:855-843-4531) ![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/close-button.png) [tel:855-THE-GLF1](tel:855-THE-GLF1) [Mediation](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/mediation) # [What to Expect During Mediation](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/what-to-expect-during-mediation) By [William Hale](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/author/william-hale)   |  28, May 2019 [READ NOW](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/what-to-expect-during-mediation) [Read Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/what-to-expect-during-mediation#article) [![](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/William%20Hale%20Headshot_Close.jpg?width=60&name=William%20Hale%20Headshot_Close.jpg)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/author/william-hale) [William Hale](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/author/william-hale)  Tags: [Mediation](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/mediation) ## Mediation is a powerful tool in civil litigation that can be used to bring both sides of a dispute to the table.  Mediators boast a success rate of over 80%.  But, what should you expect when you show up for mediation? **Overview of the Process:** Each mediator may do things a little differently.  However, the typical process involves an opening meeting where the mediator talks to both sides at the same time and gives an overview of how the mediation will go.  During that session, the parties are usually *not* asked to say anything.  The mediator will then separate each party into separate rooms.  From that point forward, neither party will see or talk directly to the other party for the remainder of the mediation.  The mediator will go back and forth between the rooms, conveying offers and talking about the strengths and weaknesses of each party’s case.  If and when an agreement is reached, the mediator will have each party sign a simple document to memorialize what was agreed to. **Downtime:** Be prepared for a *lot* of waiting.  During the mediation, the mediator only talks with one party at a time.  As a result, while the mediator is speaking with the other party, you will just be sitting in a room with very little to do.  It is completely appropriate to bring a book, your laptop, or something to do during that wait time.  **Non-Adversarial:** During the mediation, all information and offers will be relayed through the neutral mediator.  You will not be sitting across the table from the other party.  As a result, the discussions do not typically get heated, and it is a very relaxed atmosphere. **Give-And-Take:** It is important to know that there will be give-and-take during a mediation.  Each side is trying to get the best deal for their own client.  As a result, if the case is going to get settled then neither side will be getting everything they want.  Talk with your attorney ahead of time and develop a plan for how to handle the offers.  Be prepared to make at least some concessions if you are serious about getting the case settled. If you have a dispute, talk to the experienced trial attorneys at Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, in its Omaha, Sioux City, or Sioux Falls offices.  [![CONTACT US](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/60d77596-fa6c-4cb1-a3bf-b2fb87ab9210.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/60d77596-fa6c-4cb1-a3bf-b2fb87ab9210) ### Select Different CTA for each Post from Blog Editor [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/489404/a8cefc17-3b9d-4de0-89cd-e60a64752422) ### Subscribe Our Blog Thanks for submission!! - Recent - Popular ### Posts by Topic - [Litigation & Trial (141)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/litigation-trial) - [Litigation News and Insights (29)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/litigation-news-and-insights) - [Firm News (15)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/firm-news) - [Construction News and Insights (14)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/construction-news-and-insights) - [Business News and Insights (6)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/business-news-and-insights) - [trademark (6)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/trademark) - [COVID-19 (5)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/covid-19) - [CEO (4)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/ceo) - [Employment Litigation (4)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/employment-litigation) - [Intellectual Property (4)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/intellectual-property) - [Copyright Law (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/copyright-law) - [Depositions (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/depositions) - [Employment Law (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/employment-law) - [Lawsuit (3)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/lawsuit) - [Business Litigation (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/business-litigation) - [Confidentiality (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/confidentiality) - [Divorce & Family Law (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/divorce-family-law) - [Federal Rules (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/federal-rules) - [Filing a Lawsuit (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/filing-a-lawsuit) - [Insurance (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/insurance) - [Mediation (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/mediation) - [Starting A Lawsuit (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/starting-a-lawsuit) - [Transportation (2)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/transportation) - [Agriculture (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/agriculture) - [Arbitration (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/arbitration) - [Attorney Client Privilege (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/attorney-client-privilege) - [Barratry (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/barratry) - [Business Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/business-law) - [Comparative Negligence (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/comparative-negligence) - [Construction (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/construction) - [Construction Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/construction-law) - [Corporate Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/corporate-law) - [Disputes (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/disputes) - [Document Production and Document Retention (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/document-production-and-document-retention) - [EEOC (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/eeoc) - [Email (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/email) - [Employment News and Insights (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/employment-news-and-insights) - [Expert Testimony (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/expert-testimony) - [Female Attorney (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/female-attorney) - [HR Legal Insider (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/hr-legal-insider) - [Holiday Lawsuits (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/holiday-lawsuits) - [Holiday Season (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/holiday-season) - [Human Resources (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/human-resources) - [Iowa Consumer Credit Code (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/iowa-consumer-credit-code) - [Landlord (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/landlord) - [Lawsuits (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/lawsuits) - [Legal Fees (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/legal-fees) - [Liability (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/liability) - [Markman Hearing (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/markman-hearing) - [Non-Compete (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/non-compete) - [Omaha Attorney (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/omaha-attorney) - [Personal Jurisdiction Law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/personal-jurisdiction-law) - [Property Damage (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/property-damage) - [Real Estate News and Insights (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/real-estate-news-and-insights) - [Respondeat Superior (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/respondeat-superior) - [Sioux Falls Law Firm (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/sioux-falls-law-firm) - [Social Media (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/social-media) - [Subpoenas (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/subpoenas) - [Summary Judgement (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/summary-judgement) - [Summons (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/summons) - [Tenant (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/tenant) - [Trade Secrets (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/trade-secrets) - [Trust Law Counsel (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/trust-law-counsel) - [copyright (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/copyright) - [patent law (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/patent-law) - [settlement (1)](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/topic/settlement) DISCLAIMER: The information in this blog post (“post”) is provided for general informational purposes only, and may not reflect the current law in your jurisdiction. By visiting this website, blog, or post you understand that there is no attorney client relationship between you and the Goosmann Law Firm attorneys and website publisher. No information contained in this post should be construed as legal advice from Goosmann Law Firm, PLC, or the individual author, nor is it intended to be a substitute for legal counsel on any subject matter. No reader of this post should act or refrain from acting on the basis of any information included in, or accessible through, this Post without seeking the appropriate legal or other professional advice on the particular facts and circumstances at issue from a lawyer licensed in the recipient’s state, country or other appropriate licensing jurisdiction. #### Let Us Know What You Thought about this Post. Put your Comment Below. [Previous Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/insurance-bad-faith-in-iowa) ##### [Insurance “Bad Faith” in Iowa](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/insurance-bad-faith-in-iowa) [Next Post](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/if-you-create-something-do-you-own-the-rights-to-it-copyrights-and-work-for-hire) ##### [If You Create Something, Do You Own the Rights To It?:  Copyrights and Work for Hire](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/trial-lawyer-on-you-side/if-you-create-something-do-you-own-the-rights-to-it-copyrights-and-work-for-hire) ### Contact Info **Sioux City Location** P. 712-226-4000 F. (712) 224-4517 **Sioux Falls Location** P. (605) 371-2000 F. (605) 275-2039 **Omaha Location** P. (402) 280-7648 F. (402) 505-3967 --- [Disclaimer](http://goosmannlaw.com/list-all-blogs/disclaimer/) | [Privacy Policy](http://goosmannlaw.com/privacy-policy/) ### Locations **Sioux City Location** 410 5th Street Sioux City, IA 51101 **Sioux Falls Location** 5010 S. Minnesota Avenue, Suite 100 Sioux Falls, SD 57108 **Omaha Location** Advent Building 17838 Burke Street, Suite 250 Omaha, NE 68118 ![Goosmann](https://blog.goosmannlaw.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Blog_Images/Lockbox%20Lawyer/goosmann-white.png?width=250&name=goosmann-white.png "Goosmann") Goosmann Law Firm is a FULL SERVICE LAW FIRM with locations in Sioux City, Iowa, Sioux Falls, South Dakota, and Omaha, Nebraska. Goosmann Law attorneys are licensed to practice in Iowa, Nebraska, South Dakota, and North Dakota. Their attorney team's practices and industries include but are not limited to Agribusiness and Cooperatives, Banking and Finance, Bankruptcy, Restructuring and Workouts, Business, Construction, Cyber Law and Telecommunications, Divorce and Family Law, Education, Employment, Environmental Health and Safety, Gestational Surrogacy and Adoption, Health Care, Litigation and Trial Law, Manufacturing, Mergers and Acquisitions, Municipal, Nonprofit and Tax Exempt Organizations, Real Estate, and Transportation, Tribal, Wills, Trusts, Estate Planning, and Probate Law. Goosmann © Copyright 2017