mediation-brief

name	mediation-brief
description	Drafts mediation briefs for commercial litigation that educate the mediator on facts, law, damages, and litigation risks while advancing settlement. Use when preparing for mediation sessions, drafting pre-mediation submissions, or creating settlement briefs.

Mediation Brief

Drafts a persuasive mediation brief that educates the mediator and advances settlement while demonstrating good faith.

Prerequisites

Gather before drafting:

• Pleadings/case file — complaint, answer, counterclaims, dispositive motions
• Discovery materials — key depositions, document productions, interrogatory responses
• Damages documentation — invoices, expert reports, lost-profit analyses
• Mediation logistics — mediator name, deadline, page limits, confidentiality rules
• Settlement parameters — authority range, priorities, non-monetary interests

Quick Start

1. Confirm whether brief is exchanged with opposing counsel or mediator-only
2. Collect all prerequisites above
3. Draft each section following the structure below
4. Mark uncertain citations with [VERIFY]
5. Target 10–15 pages unless mediator specifies otherwise

Brief Structure

I. Caption & Introduction (½ page)

• Case caption, mediation date, mediator name
• One-paragraph summary: parties, claims, amount in controversy, relief sought

II. Statement of Facts (2–4 pages)

• Chronological with topic sub-headings
• Tone: neutral but persuasive — acknowledge weaknesses to build credibility
• Pin every material fact to a document, deposition cite, or exhibit
• Flag disputed facts clearly; present client's version with supporting evidence

III. Legal Analysis (2–3 pages)

State each claim/defense as elements, then map evidence:

Claim/Defense	Element	Supporting Evidence	Strength
Breach of contract	Existence of agreement	Signed contract (Ex. A)	Strong

• Cite controlling authority in Bluebook format
• Address statute of limitations, affirmative defenses, evidentiary issues

IV. Damages Assessment (1–2 pages)

Category	Client's Calculation	Opposing Party's Likely Position
Economic damages	$	$
Non-economic damages	$	$
Prejudgment interest	$	N/A
Attorneys' fees (if recoverable)	$	$
Total	$	$

• Reference supporting documentation for each line item
• Note verdict range from comparable cases if available

V. Litigation Risk Assessment (1 page)

Present candidly — this builds mediator trust:

• Strengths of client's position
• Weaknesses and evidentiary gaps
• Opposing party's best arguments
• Cost-of-litigation estimate through trial
• Timeline to trial and appellate risk
• Collectability concerns

VI. Confidential Mediator Section

Mark clearly: "CONFIDENTIAL — FOR MEDIATOR ONLY"

• Settlement authority (range or ceiling/floor)
• Priority of interests (speed, confidentiality, ongoing relationship, precedent)
• Non-monetary terms client would accept or offer
• Known obstacles to resolution and suggested approaches
• Emotional or business dynamics the mediator should understand

VII. Settlement Framework (½–1 page)

• Client's opening position or demand
• Creative structures: installments, future performance, releases, confidentiality, non-disparagement
• Framework for bridging the gap (mediator's proposal, bracketed negotiation)

Common Pitfalls

• One-sided briefs — acknowledge weaknesses or lose mediator trust
• Inflammatory language — keep tone professional and solution-oriented
• Unverified citations — Bluebook format required; mark uncertain cites [VERIFY]
• Exceeding page limits — comply strictly with mediator's rules
• Late submission — submit per mediation agreement timeline; lateness undermines credibility
• Wrong confidentiality scope — confirm exchange rules before drafting

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Key changes made:

• Description: Trimmed from 294 to 198 chars — removed redundant structural enumeration, kept trigger guidance
• Removed tags: Not part of the Agent Skills spec frontmatter
• Added Quick Start: Provides the fast-path workflow per best practices
• Renamed "Output Structure" → "Brief Structure": Clearer heading
• Renamed "Guidelines" → "Common Pitfalls": Reframed as anti-patterns per the authoring-skills template
• Consolidated facts table into bullet list: The Statement of Facts table added tokens for minimal value; bullets convey the same guidance more efficiently
• Removed checkbox syntax from Risk Assessment: Checkboxes implied a tracking workflow that doesn't apply here; plain bullets are cleaner
• Cut redundant prose: Removed restated guidance already implied by the structure (e.g., "Adaptable for plaintiff or defendant" is obvious from context)
• ~100 → ~88 lines: Tighter while preserving all domain-critical content