Author Archives: Michael Zeytoonian

Thinking about using mediation to resolve your employment dispute without going through litigation first?

Recently I got a call from a small business employer. He knew I was an employment lawyer and that I represent small, closely-held or family businesses and that I was also a mediator handling all kinds of business, workplace or community disputes. He had received a letter from a lawyer representing one of his employees alleging sexual harassment in the …

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The Time for Dispute Resolution Alternatives (DRA) has come

There was a time, not long ago, when those who found themselves in a dispute had two basic choices:  They could either file a lawsuit/initiate some formal complaint process or they could just walk away from the conflict and try to move on. This essentially amounted to what professionals refer to as the typical default responses of most people – …

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It’s our choice: Are we agents of connecting and reuniting or separating and dividing?

In the past few months, a recurring idea has kept surfacing, either in the news or in my life experiences as a mediator and lawyer. It’s the tendency toward division, of focusing and acting more on our differences than on what we have in common. Our lives today are influenced more by partisan and separatist views than the spirit of …

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What happens when you don’t do what the situation calls for…? (whether resolving disputes or coaching the Patriots in the Super Bowl)

Every year, the Super Bowl provides us with great lessons and a great game. This year was no exception as the Patriots and Eagles played in an exciting shootout that literally came down to the last play. But the game’s outcome may have been decided by something other than who had the last chance to score. It’s easy to be …

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Massachusetts Bar Association’s Conflict Resolution Week & Day Celebration October 16-20

An annual national tradition in the legal community is the celebration of “Conflict Resolution Week” (CRW) and “Conflict Resolution Day” (CRD) on the third week and the third Thursday of October respectively.  This tradition reportedly started here in New England by the New England Association for Conflict Resolution (NE-ACR).  It is a week and a day to shine a spotlight …

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Posted in Collaborative Law, Collaborative Mediation, conflict, Creative Solutions, Dispute Resolution Advocacy, Dispute Resolution Resources, Efficient dispute resolution, Massachusetts Bar Association (MBA), Mediation, Preserving Relationships, Respect and civility, Settlement Counsel | Comments Off

We are moving to be a part of The Collaborative Outpost

We want to share some exciting news.  Our firm, Dispute Resolution Counsel, LLC, has moved to a new location at 9 Main Street, Southborough, MA.  We are joining other forward-thinking law firms in a new project in which these like-minded, client-driven firms will be under one roof and part of a new place called The Collaborative Outpost.  These firms at …

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Posted in 3-D Mediation, Collaborative Law, Collaborative Mediation, Collaborative Outpost, Creative Solutions, Cutting litigation costs, Dispute Resolution Advocacy, News-Articles, Preserving Relationships, primary care lawyer, Respect and civility, Saving money in tough times | Comments Off

Situational Dispute Resolution is focus of Armenian Business Network Presentation

What do Bill Belichick’s coaching approach, grapevines and dispute resolution have in common?  They were all tied together in a creative and engaging way by employment lawyer and mediator Michael Zeytoonian, in his September 13 presentation to the Armenian Business Network (ABN).  Zeytoonian was the guest speaker for the organization’s program and meeting at Abbey Lane restaurant in Boston, and …

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Posted in ABN Armenian Business Network, communication, Community, Creative Solutions, Dispute Resolution Advocacy, Dispute Resolution Process, Efficient dispute resolution, Mediation, News-Articles, Preserving Relationships, Respect and civility, trust | Comments Off

What is your goal? Winning or fixing?

What do you want? It’s a pretty simple question, really.  It reminds me of what Noah (Ryan Gosling) repeatedly asked Allie (Rachel McAdams), his love interest in The Notebook.  She kept hemming and hawing as to how difficult her situation was, having to choose between two good men, and that there was no easy answer.  But he stayed laser focused …

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Posted in conflict, Creative Solutions, Dispute Resolution Advocacy, Dispute Resolution Process, Dispute Resolution Resources, Efficient dispute resolution, Employment Disputes, Respect and civility, teamwork, Workplace Disputes | Comments Off

Zeytoonian to present at Global Collaborative Law Council Conference in Tampa September 7-9

The 13th Annual Civil Collaborative Law Conference of the Global Collaborative Law Council (GCLC) will take place in Tampa, Florida on September 7-9, 2017.   The three day conference will be hosted by the Hillsborough County Bar Association and held at their offices in Tampa.  GCLC is the largest organization dedicated to the use, training and promotion of Civil Collaborative Law …

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Posted in 13th Annual Civil Collaborative Law Conference, Collaborative Law, Collaborative Mediation, Dispute Resolution Process, GCLC, Global Collaborative Law Council Conference, News-Articles, September 7-9 2017, Tampa Florida | Comments Off

If You Want Your “Day in Court”, Don’t Go to Court

“I want my day in court.” This is one of the most frequent desires and sentiments expressed by a new client in our initial conversation about their legal dispute.   Here are some other common emotional responses when someone finds themselves in a dispute: “I want justice to be done.”  “The other side has to pay for what he/she/it did to …

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Posted in Collaborative Law, Collaborative Mediation, conflict, Dispute Resolution Process, Dispute Resolution Resources, Efficient dispute resolution, Employment Disputes, Employment Law, Perspectives, Preserving Relationships, resolution, Respect and civility, Settlement Counsel, Workplace Disputes | Comments Off