After 13 wonderful years, it was time for a website refresh.

I am pleased to announced my induction into the Canadian Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (CADN).

End of year. Time to reflect and take stock. Time to recharge and reset.

​This past July my wife and I had the opportunity to hike a portion of the Camino de Santiago in Spain. For eight days we walked an average of 25 km per day in 40-degree Celsius heat. While the experience was physically challenging, it was spiritually rejuvenating and rewarding.

In a recent blog post I focused on ten signs that your mediation may be headed for trouble. One of those indicators was power imbalance.

Advances in technology have revolutionized the way we communicate and, to a large extent, relegated face-time to the virtual world. We rely on our devices – computers, tablets, smartphones – to communicate.

Mediation presents an opportunity for disputing parties to engage in purposeful dialogue that can effect change. Changes in opinion, understanding and perspective can have a groundbreaking impact on the mediation process and the outcome of negotiations. Below, I discuss three mediation game changers and their potential impact on effecting change.

One of the most interesting parts of my job as a mediator is the opportunity to connect with an endlessly diverse clientele - it’s also one of the most challenging.

Negotiations can go bad in a hurry for any number of reasons - clashing personalities, inflated egos, misunderstandings, incompatible priorities, negative emotions.

On September 19, 2012, Philip M. Epstein, Q.C., LSM, Cert. F. Arb., of Epstein Cole

LLP, was awarded the ADR Award of Excellence for 2012 at a dinner held at the University of Toronto Club.