The Power of Apologies

A mediator, arbitrator, and trial lawyer with over 40 years of experience resolving disputes locally, nationally, and internationally will reframe how attorneys think about apologies in the context of conflict resolution. Drawing on teaching at Pepperdine and the widely republished 2004 article "Apologies and Lunch," the speaker will explore why a genuine apology functions as a gift rather than a transactional tool, and why that distinction matters in mediation and negotiation. The presentation will examine the different forms an apology can take, why not all apologies constitute admissions of fault, and how authentic expressions of empathy can restore dignity and social harmony between parties.