[updated 4/27/2025]

When the client is in your office

It is important for the mediator to see both the attorney and their client. Often the attorney will turn a computer around and point to the client, then turn it back — very clumsy. Sometimes they try to squeeze in together at the corner of the attorney’s desk and cram them into the picture. Sound familiar?

Then the hi-tech attorney (there are more every day who qualify thusly) has the conference phone and the big monitor — about 12 feet away. I can see some of what look like ants down there but can’t see facial expressions.

So what is the solution? Have a separate computer for the client. It can be as simple as a $300 iPad. If you turn one speaker all the way down and mute one of the computers you will have no feedback and everyone can participate.

Further discussion of equipment and tips follows below.

Essential elements for Zoom mediations

The world of Zoom and other teleconferencing is here. Zoom is the better platform for mediations due to the Breakout Rooms. While Microsoft Teams allegedly has that feature coming, Zoom is the go-to mediation system.

So how to best succeed at using Zoom? I have recently made a page full of equipment ideas and a reference to an existing page of tips. I deal with three elements of success:

• A decent internet connection. If you get 10mb down and 6 or so up, then you should be fine. If you don’t know your internet speed go to Https://Www.speedtest.net/ and test it.
• Exercise some “Best Practices” which are totally under your control. That link has some good tips.
• Good equipment which can be obtained at minimal cost.

About microphones

In my big page full of equipment ideas I talked a little about microphones but now we have to face a painful truth: the mic built into your computer is terrible. Sure, yours may be better than some but … they all suck. Now add an office with all hard surfaces and the people on the party line can barely hear you. Oh yeah, no party lines any more but the mediator is still on the line and struggling to hear your faint voice over the echo of your office.

You can call in an acoustics expert or an interior decorator to fix the environment but it’s probably better to just get a better mic.

Most of the external cameras over $100 will also have a built-in mic that might work well. My Logitech model 930 is a good example. My personal solutions is the boom/mic headset discussed on that page but just headphones or earbuds can work as well. Then there are the desktop (usually bluetooth connected) that can improve the transmissions of your melodious tones.