Originally published as a paper, read in full [PDF]. All too frequently, I attend mediations and I am asked by one side or the other or both to “work your magic”. It is my theory that neither magic acts nor miracles occur at mediation. Magic acts...
Can one bad apple spoil the whole barrel? Not if you believe the Osmonds [please forgive the dated reference to pop music from days gone by]; if that bad apple shows up at a mediation in a sour mood and seemingly determined to derail discussions,...
Cooper Mediation, as the presenting sponsor, is pleased to announce the 9th Annual Canada Cup from February 12-15, 2018. This will be a star-studded tournament involving top ranked squash players (including world #10 Diego Elias) from around the world. Vance and Jon Cooper of Cooper Mediation...
I have been mulling over this paper in my mind for some time. One of my colleagues is very much opposed to the expression “compromise” as she believes it has negative connotations. This led me to go to the source of all wisdom, the Internet,...
We’ve all been there: your adrenaline is flowing, your blood pressure is rising and your mind is racing. You’re in the midst of an argument. How can you use logic and reasoning to make your case when you’re over-stimulated and your body is in full revolt?...
“I’ll see you in court!” How many times have you heard that line on television shows or in movies as a set-up to a climactic courtroom showdown between two sides in a legal dispute? In reality, most lawsuits and civil actions are settled prior to...
Have you ever admired a fine piece of custom craftsmanship? The attention to detail? The refinement of the form? The overall beauty of the work? There is certainly a bit of an art to this kind of creation, but it’s clear the designer honed their...
Vancestock VI: Thank You For Helping Us Raise Over $43,000 For Trails Youth Initiatives and nearly $200,000 over 6 years! If you happen to see Vance Cooper on the street flashing a big smile and humming a tune, it’s a good bet that he’s reliving one...
Obligation. It's a word that takes away any notion that you have a choice in the matter at hand. Put simply, it “must” be done, whether you like it or not. As a result, an obligation may end up feeling more like a burden or...
If, at first, you don’t succeed, should you try again? After the initial mediation – a mandatory element of the civil law process in some parts of Ontario – you and your client(s) may find you’re at a crossroads in the justice system. A pre-trial...