Bill:

Here’s my story regarding humor at mediation:

I had a client who attended depositions, hearings and a mediation with me.  He always drank “Smart Water” and frequently brought an extra bottle.

On multiple occasions he would offer the extra bottle to opposing counsel.  The other lawyer didn’t get it until at mediation the mediator asked after opening statements if the clients wanted to speak directly to add anything.  My client piped up that although he had offered Smart Water to the other lawyer he either wouldn’t drink it or it wasn’t working.

Fortunately, this broke the ice and we were able to reach a settlement!