Clients don’t arrive at mediation as blank slates. By the time settlement discussions begin, many hold firm beliefs about what is “fair,” what others received, or how negotiations “should” unfold. When those expectations collide with reality mid-mediation, the consequences can include reactive instructions, emotional withdrawal, and a sharp deviation from planned strategy. In this practical session, Julie Somerville explores why expectation management cannot be squeezed into the pre-mediation conference or left entirely to the mediator, and shares approaches that consistently support calmer negotiations and unwavering trust between clients and their lawyers.