Briefing Document: Michael Leathes Memorial and Legacy
Excerpts from “Michael Leathes – Memorial Live Stream – 14th March, 2025”
Excerpts from “Michael Leathes — International Mediation Institute” (In Memoriam page)
Executive Summary:
These sources provide a comprehensive overview of the life and profound impact of Michael Leathes, particularly in the field of international mediation. The Memorial Live Stream, held on March 14, 2025, offers personal reflections from his family, friends, and colleagues, highlighting his character, achievements, and lasting legacy. The In Memoriam page on the International Mediation Institute (IMI) website corroborates these themes, providing further details about his professional contributions, particularly his pivotal role in establishing IMI and advancing mediation globally. Both sources emphasize his dedication to bringing people together, his focus on user needs in dispute resolution, his commitment to high standards in mediation, and his overall impact as a visionary leader and a kind, compassionate individual.
Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:
1. Michael Leathes: A Man of Connection & Influence
The memorial event was a testament to the vast network of relationships Michael built throughout his life. His youngest son, Greg Lees, noted, “Dad’s life was very much about bringing people together whether that be over a negotiating table, a dining table or even a pool table. He would be thrilled to see everybody here today… showing the vast network of the relationships he built over so many years.”
His professional impact was described as that of a “giant” within the dispute resolution community. Jeremy Lack highlighted his role as a “corporate leader, a thought leader, a general counsel to leading corporations” who used his influence “to do good, bringing together an International Community.”
Numerous speakers from around the world, including Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon of Singapore and George Lim of the Singapore International Mediation Centre, traveled to pay their respects, underscoring his global influence. Lim stated, “There are probably a handful of people I know or I can say who have influenced me in my life. Michael was one of them.”
2. Pioneering and Advancing the Field of Mediation
Michael was a key figure in the development of the mediation profession, both in the UK and internationally. Graeme Massie of CEDR noted that Michael shifted the focus of mediation advocacy towards business needs, arguing that it was about “helping them sustain effective relationships, effective business relationships… rather than about resolving the dispute.”
He recognized the need for professional standards and was instrumental in the formation of the Civil Mediation Council in the UK.
His vision extended globally with the co-creation of the first network of international mediators, which “today advises governments, it advises corporations.”
He played a pivotal role in Singapore’s emergence as an international mediation hub, contributing significantly to the recommendations that led to the establishment of the Singapore International Mediation Centre (SIMC) and the Singapore International Mediation Institute (SIMI). Chief Justice Menon acknowledged, “Michael played a key role in that committee and its superb work led the establishment of both the SIMC and the Singapore International Mediation Institute.”
He championed the enforceability of international mediated settlements, a precursor to the Singapore Convention on Mediation. George Lim emphasized, “The precursor to that was Michael. Michael had this idea that you need enforceability… In 2014 under the leadership of Michael and I, IMI ran conducted a survey and asked users… would you be more willing to mediate an international dispute if you could enforce it? And the resounding answer was yes.”
3. The International Mediation Institute (IMI): A Lasting Legacy
Michael was the driving force behind the creation of the International Mediation Institute (IMI). The In Memoriam page states he “created the International Mediation Institute IMI in The Hague… Its aim was to promote mediation and set global professional practice standards for mediators. He led the IMI unremunerated for 8 years.”
IMI’s mission focused on “transparency and high competency standards in mediation” and aimed to be a “user-led IMI which would play a visible role in important public policy developments.”
The IMI website features numerous tributes from individuals and organizations worldwide, highlighting his visionary leadership and the profound impact of IMI on the field. James MacPherson noted his “vision to tap into the private sector to professionalize the practice of mediation was critical.”
The ongoing work of IMI, including its certification programs and initiatives, serves as a direct continuation of Michael’s vision.
4. Personal Qualities and Values
Michael was consistently described as kind, compassionate, and humble. Graeme Massie recalled his supportive words: “never apologize for not being a lawyer.”
His eldest son, Tom Lees, reflected on his father’s humility: “He was always uh too humble to talk about his achievements and all the people that he influenced…” Tom also likened him to a superhero, driven by “unwavering principles” and a “higher purpose that drives them to rights wrongs, to save people from danger and to try and make the world a better place.”
Kenny Aina of NCMG Nigeria referred to him as a “Humane human being” whose “passion for Humanity and commitment to Living For Humanity was second to none.” He emphasized Michael’s ability to make people feel valued, quoting Maya Angelou: “you can never forget how Michael made you feel.”
Even in his final days, Michael’s focus remained on others, as evidenced by his message to George Lim while in the ICU, expressing concern for Lim’s wife.
5. User-Centric Approach
A recurring theme is Michael’s emphasis on the needs and perspectives of the users of mediation services, particularly corporations and in-house counsel.
Graeme Massie noted his early insight that mediation should be positioned to businesses as a way to sustain relationships, not just resolve disputes.
The IMI was founded with a “user-driven” philosophy, aiming to provide reliable information and high-quality mediators for those seeking dispute resolution services.
His book, “Negotiation – Things corporate counsel need to know but were not taught,” reflects this focus on practical advice for legal professionals.
6. Overcoming Challenges and Driving Change
The obituary on the IMI website recounts an early example of Michael’s commitment to justice, where as Head Boy at his school, he unilaterally ended corporal punishment, demonstrating his willingness to “redress a wrong.”
His career involved navigating complex legal and business challenges, including significant intellectual property litigation and advocating for the veterinary pharmaceutical industry.
He consistently sought better ways of resolving disputes, leading to his deep involvement in and promotion of mediation.
Quotes
Greg Lees: “Dad’s life was very much about bringing people together… He would be thrilled to see everybody here today…”
Jeremy Lack: “…within the professional Community he was a giant…”
Graeme Massie: “…we should be telling business it’s about helping them sustain effective relationships, effective business relationships.”
Chief Justice Sundaresh Menon: “Michael played a key role in that committee and its superb work led the establishment of both the SIMC and the Singapore International Mediation Institute.”
George Lim: “Michael breathed and lived mediation… Michael had this idea that you need enforceability [for mediated settlements]…”
Tom Lees: “He was always uh too humble to talk about his achievements… what an extraordinary person Michael Leeds really was.”
Kenny Aina: “Michael was father to me, he was father to many… people like Michael don’t die, there is a Michael in so many of us.”
IMI In Memoriam Page: “As in-house counsel in leading international corporations, Michael was a frequent user and advocate of mediation services. After retiring in 2007, he had an instrumental role in the establishment of the International Mediation Institute (IMI)…”
Conclusion
Michael Leathes was a transformative figure in the world of dispute resolution. The memorial event and the tributes on the IMI website paint a picture of a visionary leader, a dedicated advocate for mediation, and a genuinely caring and impactful individual. His work in establishing IMI, promoting high standards, championing user needs, and fostering international collaboration has left an indelible mark on the field. His legacy will continue to inspire and guide the mediation community for years to come.
Michael Leathes is a former in-house counsel and in that capacity a frequent user of mediation services. After retiring in 2007, Michael helped establish the International Mediation Institute (IMI) as a charitable institution and served in a pro bono capacity as the first Executive Director of the IMI. He stepped… MORE >
Jim Melamed co-founded Mediate.com in 1996 along with John Helie and served as CEO of Mediate.com through June 2020 (25 years). Jim is currently General Counsel for Mediate.com and ODR.com. During Jim's 25-year tenure, Mediate.com received the American Bar Association's 2010 Institutional Problem Solver Award. Before Mediate.com, Jim founded The… MORE >
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