Answer: Mediation is usually not held in a courtroom. In an Ohio common pleas case, mediation might take place in a conference room at the courthouse, at the mediator’s office, or even at one of the lawyers’ offices – anywhere the parties agree to meet. It’s a casual conference setting, not a formal public courtroom with a judge. Often it’s just a private room with a table and chairs (and maybe coffee and water provided!). If your mediation is in person, you and your attorney will likely have your own room, and the other side will be in a separate room nearby. The mediator will walk back and forth between rooms to talk to each side.
These days, many mediations are done virtually, via Zoom or a similar platform. If your mediation is on Zoom, the experience is a bit different in setup but similar in process. You’ll receive a secure Zoom link to join at the scheduled time. At the start, there might be a joint video session where the mediator greets everyone, but soon after, you and your lawyer will be placed into a private Zoom breakout room that only the two of you (and the mediator when they join you) can access. The nursing home’s side will be in their own separate virtual room. The mediator can move between the breakout rooms just like they’d walk between offices in person. This means you still get privacy to talk with your lawyer, exactly as you would in person. The other side won’t hear your discussions, and you won’t have to see or speak to them directly on Zoom either, except perhaps for initial hellos if a joint session is held.
If you’re not tech-savvy or comfortable with Zoom, don’t worry – your lawyer will help make sure you’re set up. We can do a test run beforehand if needed. You can also choose to sit together with your lawyer in the same physical room (like at your lawyer’s office) and join Zoom from one computer, so you’re not alone with the tech. During the mediation, the usual etiquette is to mute yourself when not speaking and let your attorney do a lot of the talking, just like in person. The mediator might share their screen or a document at times, or simply talk. From your perspective, it’s mostly waiting in your private room with your lawyer while the mediator is off talking to the other side, then discussing offers when the mediator comes back.
In summary: No, mediation is not in a courtroom setting. It’s a private meeting either in an office or via Zoom. If it’s on Zoom, you’ll be in a private virtual room with your lawyer, safe from any unwanted interruptions or exposure to the other side. The format may be different, but your experience – having your attorney beside you and the mediator facilitating – remains much the same.