Mediation is a process where both parties in a legal claim come together to find solutions with the help of a neutral mediator. Mediation can help the involved parties avoid court, which is often ideal for everyone involved. Although mediation isn’t as formal as court, it’s still important to dress appropriately for mediation.
If you or a loved one has recently filed a personal injury claim, you should know that you may have to attend a mediation meeting to discuss your settlement. For a successful outcome, the experienced New York personal injury attorneys of Schwartzapfel Lawyersare here to handle your mediation and other legal matters. Call us now at 516-342-2200 or visit us online to schedule your free consultation today.
What Is Mediation?
Mediation is a structured and cooperative dispute resolution process where parties in conflict work with a neutral third party, known as a mediator, to resolve disputes.
Unlike litigation (that is, going to court) or arbitration (a closed process similar to court), mediation focuses on finding a solution that everyone involved can live with rather than determining someone’s guilt or innocence.
Significantly, there is no official judge in a mediation. As well, the mediator doesn’t work for anyone in the room and doesn’t have the power to force or compel anyone to do anything. Your mediator won’t make decisions. It’s their job to facilitate communication, keep the conversation on track, and inform everyone of their options.
How Is Mediation Different From Court?
A mediator does not take sides or impose decisions. It’s the mediator’s job to help everyone communicate effectively and understand each other’s perspectives. Their role is to keep everyone on track toward finding a solution or reaching a settlement outside of court.
Mediation is a voluntary process, meaning parties choose to participate and can withdraw at any time if they feel it’s not productive. The environment is slightly less formal than court, and neither party has to work to convince anyone that someone is at fault.
Everyone sits behind closed doors in an office or conference room rather than a courtroom. Most of the things discussed with a mediator remain confidential. The mediator can’t be involved with the case if both parties decide to take the case to court, so nothing carries over into legal proceedings.
Most skilled legal teams prefer closed-door mediation to open court because it saves time, stress, and money for everyone involved. Seasoned legal teams can discuss the topics at hand maturely and reach their own fitting conclusions without leaving the outcome in a judge’s hands.
What Should You Wear To Mediation?
Although mediation sounds informal, it’s often treated with the same respect as court, and first impressions matter. You may not be in a courtroom or in front of a judge, but you’re expected to present yourself and act as though you were in open court. That’s why what to wear to mediation matters.
Business Casual Is Generally Best
Business casual attire is usually appropriate for any legal process that takes place outside of formal court. It’s similar to what you might wear to a job interview, to church, or for family pictures.
For men, this could be dress pants with a button-down or khakis with a collared shirt. Women might choose slacks, a pantsuit, or a calf-length skirt with a blouse and blazer. Medium-length dresses with conservative necklines also work well as business casual attire.
Even if you’re meeting on Zoom or another video conferencing software instead of in person, it’s helpful for the parts of you that will be seen on-screen to adhere to a business casual dress code.
If you’re unsure if your outfit is appropriate for mediation, it would be our privilege to advise you. Moreover, as an experienced New York personal injury law firm, the legal team of Schwartzapfel Lawyers is highly familiar with the mediation process.
Using our knowledge, we’ll make sure you’re prepared for every step along the way. Call us now at 516-342-2200 now for a free consultation and so much more. Alternatively, please continue reading.
Don’t Wear Everyday Clothes
As a general rule of thumb, it’s best to avoid casual clothing like jeans, T-shirts, and sneakers. These can give the impression that you aren’t taking the mediation seriously. And as it’s paramount for your voice to be heard during the mediation, even if your seasoned lawyers are doing most of the talking, street clothes can distract from how important the mediation discussion is — to yourself and your financial future.
Dress In A Neutral Palette
Choose simple and neutral colors like black, navy, gray, or beige. Dark gray is always a safe choice for pants, skirts, or dresses. Khaki works with every other neutral color. If you have a pair of khaki pants, you can match them with any simple collared or polo shirt in your closet.
Distracting patterns, logos, bright colors, or excessive jewelry might make you stand out too much. Pinstripes are okay, but plaid or polka dots would seem excessive.
Women can accessorize with subtle necklaces or earrings, and any makeup should be neutral in tone. Red lipstick or blue eyeshadow would seem out of place and potentially draw unwanted attention.
In mediation, you’re a member of your own qualified legal team. As such, you should try to dress to blend in with your lawyers. And while you don’t have to dress as formally as your seasoned representatives, you’ll want to choose an outfit that aligns appropriately with everyone else sitting on your side of the table.
Wear Comfortable Clothing
Dress clothes can be stuffy. If you haven’t worn your dress clothes in a long time, you might find that they don’t fit the way that they did before. The fabric might be itchier than you remember, or the toe box of your dress shoe may feel like it’s pinching your toes.
Make sure your clothes are comfortable and fit well. Mediation can be a stressful process, and if your clothes are uncomfortable, you’re probably going to look uncomfortable. If you need to go a size larger in your shirt, shoes, or pants to keep yourself comfortable, it may be a wise idea to do so. As long as your clothes aren’t baggy, your outfit should be fine.
Consider Personal Hygiene
Personal cleanliness is part of your appearance. If you don’t have a well-maintained beard, remember to shave before mediation. Shower before you go, comb your hair, and avoid using colognes or perfumes with strong scents.
For more on this, speak with a member of our award-winning team directly by dialing 516-342-2200 or scheduling with us online today. No matter your situation or needs, it will be our honor and privilege to fight for you — both in and out of court.
Are There Special Considerations For Mediation Attire?
If you have to wear a specific garment or piece of jewelry for religious reasons, you can wear it to mediation even if it doesn’t ordinarily fit within a business casual dress code. Your religious freedom allows you to wear a hijab, yarmulke, kippah, dastar, or keffiyeh to mediation if necessary.
Now, if you’re in mediation for a personal injury matter, formal attire may not be feasible. For instance, if you’re in a back brace, wearing a button-down shirt may prove challenging; or, if your leg is in a cast, slacks may be an impractical choice. With that in mind, you should always prioritize your medical needs first.
Accordingly, it’s perfectly fine to wear a large, neutral-colored T-shirt or large, neutral-colored sweatpants over any medical garments, provided they’re clean and free from any stains or holes. Remember, no one in a mediation environment could reasonably expect you to sacrifice your health or safety for the sake of an outfit.
Furthermore, if you require special accommodations for a mediation meeting, such as wheelchair access or a video link to allow you to attend remotely, please let us know ASAP. The seasoned New York City personal injury attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyers can fight for the accommodations you need when you call us at 516-342-2200 for your free consultation.
Do You Need Legal Help With Your Personal Injury Case?
Dressing appropriately for mediation shows respect for the process and helps create a professional environment where everyone can focus on finding solutions. Your voice is important, and you deserve to be taken seriously. Your outfit can impact the way that people view you in a formal setting, and dressing the part can compel them to listen.
The experienced New York personal injury attorneys at Schwartzapfel Lawyersare ready and able to fight for you. Call us now at 516-342-2200 for your free consultation and/or personal injury case evaluation.
We have more than 150 years of combined experience successfully handling cases both in and out of court. So, please, don’t leave money on the table by leaving your settlement to chance — call now!
DISCLAIMER: Nothing on this page should be considered legal advice. You should seek the appropriate counsel your situation requires. For more information, call 516-342-2200 now!
Sources:
Schwartzapfel Lawyers, P.C. | Fighting For You
Mediation | American Bar Association
When It Comes to Clothing Style, Business Casual Is the Safest Choice | Harvard Business Review
The Results Are in…Our Clothes Don’t Fit | The Fashion Studies Journal
