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.
--- name: mediation-brief-6955e2ad004d language: en 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 --- **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--- name: mediation-brief-6955e2ad004d language: en 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 --- **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
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