I know the negotiation game b/c I have to play it as part of my job. So, I know what is likely coming.
There is another possibility: that my W's L is having control issues. These could relate to getting her to accept what the likely outcome, financially speaking, is. I have had cases in the past where my client, or more commonly, the opposing party, refused to listen to their L.
Mediation can serve a purpose then by allowing an independent, 3rd party come in and tell the unreasonable client that their L is telling them the truth. Expensive and wasteful, but sometimes necessary.
