Judges and Judiciary,
Alternative Dispute Resolution
Apr. 23, 2025
How ditching the gavel helps settle the score
See more on How ditching the gavel helps settle the scoreThe art of disrobing: how one retired judge balances judicial authority with approachability to maximize settlement results.
Geoffrey A. Goodman
Judge (ret.)
The job of a judge is to make decisions. Because we expect our judges to perform their decision-making fairly and impartially, we provide symbols of their authority. Judges are addressed as "Your Honor." They wear robes, sit on a raised platform and control the conduct of their courtrooms. In that sense, by design, judges are unapproachable.
When judges transition into mediation, their role shifts from making decisions to assisting parties resolve their dispute, guiding t...
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