The stage is set.
After a joint session among all mediation participants, the mediator moves into the first caucus with plaintiff's counsel and her client and spouse. After a further discussion of the issues, the mediator emerges with an opening demand - $1,675,000.
After a discussion of issues in the first caucus with defense counsel and in-house counsel, the demand is presented and they are dumbfounded. "$1,675,000! There must be some mistake," says defense counsel. "If I had known that the opening demand would be well over a million dollars, we never would have agreed to mediate. The demand is ridiculous. Offer them $2,500."
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