About Elizabeth E. Bader

A "lawyer's lawyer" prior to becoming a mediator, Elizabeth E. Bader's mediation practice has included the successful resolution of complex, multi-party litigation.

As the first person to identify the IDR Cycle, the core psychological dynamic in mediation and negotiation, Elizabeth is a leader in the movement to integrate psychological understanding into conflict resolution.

Elizabeth's authority as an author and advocate for confidentiality also helps parties feel more secure and safe during mediation.

Why Psychology Matters

Psychological sophistication can make the difference between success and failure when, for example,

• It's a question of "ego";
• Gender is a factor;
• Someone has emotional problems;
• Home or family is involved;
• A professional's reputation or license is on the line;
• Many people, or group dynamics, are involved.

Otherwise, in challenging cases, parties can reject even reasonable settlement offers, especially when their psychological issues of "ego" (self and identity) are triggered. See Bader, The Psychology of Mediation: Issues of Self and Identity and the IDR Cycle, 10 Pepp. Disp. Resol. L.J. 183 (2010).

Why Insight Matters

Conflict resolution professionals who don't have access to psychological insight can certainly settle cases. But that's often because the cases would settle anyway.

For tough cases, we need access to all the tools at our disposal, including a heightened capacity to deal with psychological dynamics. That is why Elizabeth also coaches and does private consultations with conflict resolution professionals who make it their business to keep learning how to deal with difficult situations and difficult people.

She also conducts groups and offers trainings on the psychology of conflict resolution to attorneys and therapists.

Elizabeth is a Diplomate member of the California Academy of Distinguished Neutrals and a Vice-Chair of the ADR Committee of the Tort, Trial and Insurance Practice section of the ABA.