Power In Mediation
“Power” can be defined as the use of violence or coercion. In negotiation it is also defined as strategies of influence, and leverage to gain advantage, combined with the possible threat of litigation. It is the capacity to influence others and allows one to claim more value for themselves. Learn how to understand and balance power and respond effectively and ethically in a family mediation context.
Learning Objectives:
• Explore the tension in Family Mediation between Interest Based Negotiation and Competitive Negotiation
• Increase Awareness of Power and Power imbalance in Family Mediation
• Identify Power Dynamics, and Power Tactics in in Family Mediations and explore practical interventions as a mediator in dealing with this imbalance.
Brad Mustard
Brad Mustard practices as a family law lawyer. His practice is solely a dispute resolution practice. Brad acts as an Arbitrator, Family Mediator, Parenting Coordinator, and Collaborative Lawyer to assist clients in reaching out-of-court resolution effectively. Hispractice focuses on solving complex property and support matters, and creating parenting plans for families, to help parents better shelter children from conflict.
Brad received his LLB at the University of Alberta in June 2000, and a Master of Laws (LLM), in Alternative Dispute Resolution from Osgoode Law School in June 2016. Brad is a regularly invited presenter in negotiation and mediation at the University of Calgary’s Faculty of Law, and the Legal Education Society of Alberta, and the Canadian Bar Association. He was a sessional instructor in negotiation at the University of Calgary Faculty of Law from 2017 to 2020. He is appointed as a Dispute Resolution Officer at the Court of King’s Bench (Calgary).
Brad has a long history of volunteering and has served on several boards and organizations including:
- Chair of the Association of Collaborative Lawyers
- Chair of the Distress Centre Calgary
- • Board Member of the Veterans Transition Network.
- Chair, Canadian Bar Association – Family Law South Subsection
- Member of the Judicial Advisory Committee on Improving Family Law Court Processes
Brad contributes within the Family law profession as member of the CBA Family Law Sub Section, and as a Board Member of the Alberta Family Mediation Society. He was recognized by his peers in 2022 as Best Lawyers – Lawyer of the Year in Family Law Mediation (Calgary).
