In Episode 155 of Sports 'N Torts, I sit down with Shuli Green, a seasoned lawyer and mediator with an impressively diverse career background. Shuli shares her wealth of experience in handling cases on both the plaintiff and defense sides, including personal injury, business, insurance, media law, and First Amendment cases. She discusses how her varied career has shaped her unique approach to mediation and offers valuable insights into the challenges and strategies involved in settling complex cases. Shuli reflects on her time with the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals, her work on the Richard Jewell case, and her transition into mediation.

Shuli's candid perspective on the mediation process, particularly her role in facilitating communication between parties, offers valuable lessons for both lawyers and clients navigating the dispute resolution landscape.

Topics Covered:

• Shuli's Career Path: From working in entertainment law, handling First Amendment cases, to her role as a staff attorney at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit.
• The Richard Jewell Case: Shuli's involvement in the landmark defamation case and the lessons she learned from writing her first legal brief.
• Transition to Mediation: How Shuli shifted from litigation to mediation and the skills she developed along the way.
• Mediation Strategies: Shuli discusses the importance of being honest and direct in mediation, focusing on the issues rather than emotions.
• The Role of the Mediator: Shuli shares her approach to helping both plaintiffs and defendants reach a resolution by guiding them through difficult conversations and offering reality checks.
• The Challenges of Medical Malpractice Cases: The unique nature of med mal cases, including the emotional aspects and the complexity of evaluating damages.
• Tips for Young Lawyers: Shuli offers advice on preparing for mediation, including the importance of showing that you’ve thoroughly worked up your case.
• Building Trust with Opposing Counsel: The value of maintaining a professional relationship with opposing lawyers and how it can lead to future opportunities.

Key Takeaways:

• Mediation is a delicate balancing act that requires honesty, issue-spotting, and the ability to manage expectations.
• Lawyers who prepare thoroughly and communicate effectively have a much higher chance of successfully mediating their cases.
• Building trust with opposing counsel and being transparent with your clients is crucial in the legal profession.
• In medical malpractice cases, understanding the complexities of liability and damages is essential, as these cases are often harder to win but can yield high rewards.