Episode 31: Mediation Mastery with Megan Bonanni and Ilan Scharf

Host Maxwell Goss speaks with Megan Bonanni and Ilan Scharf about their landmark $380 million settlement in the Dr. Larry Nassar sex abuse cases against USA Gymnastics following years of institutional failure. They explore the innovative negotiation and mediation strategies that led to this historic result and the challenges they overcame in securing justice for the survivors. Beyond the staggering dollar figure, Megan and Ilan discuss the restorative justice reforms embodied in the settlement, including seats for survivors on key committees, stronger policies to protect athletes, and research initiatives to help prevent future abuse.

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 "The entire scandal is about institutional failure at the highest levels." - Megan Bonanni

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EPISODE OUTLINE

00:20 Brief Overview of the  Nassar Abuse and the Survivors’ Case

01:29 Participants and Their Roles

03:57 Megan Bonanni on the Criminal and Civil Cases

07:55 USA Gymnastics and Its Culture of Enablement

15:26 Ilan Scharf on Bankruptcy and Mediation Process

25:39 “Game of Thrones” - Negotiation Strategies and Challenges

33:18 Non-Monetary Relief and Important Institutional Reforms that didn’t Make Headlines

40:16 Final Thoughts and Takeaways from Megan Bonanni and Ilan Scharf

42:29 Closing Remarks

RESOURCES

ABOUT

Megan Bonanni has built a national practice representing hundreds of victims of sexual abuse and assault, assuming a leadership role in some of the most significant sexual abuse cases in the country. Beyond the judicial system, Megan is dedicated to institutional reform to assist survivors of sexual assault. She is particularly proud of her selection to a leadership role on the Restorative Justice Task Force, a group of lawyers and survivors who will work with USA Gymnastics and USOPC to facilitate a series of historic non-monetary commitments focused on accountability, reconciliation and continued cultural transformation in the gymnastics community.


Ilan Scharf specializes in financial restructuring and bankruptcy litigation with a particular focus on representing creditors' committees of religious institutions and nonprofit entities. Mr. Scharf's practice focuses on representing tort claimant and creditors’ committees in chapter 11 cases. He has also represented debtors, equity holders, asset purchasers, trade creditors, chapter 11 trustees, and other parties in business reorganizations and related litigation. He has appeared before bankruptcy courts across the United States, including New York, Delaware, New Jersey, New Mexico, California, Missouri, Montana, Texas and Pennsylvania.

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The Litigation War Room podcast presents great stories and great insights to help lawyers raise their litigation game and win more cases.

The Litigation War Room is hosted by Maxwell Goss, the owner and principal attorney of Maxwell Goss Law. Max represents clients in trade secret, intellectual property, and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.
About The Litigation War Room
The Litigation War Room presents great stories and great insights from some of the nation’s most accomplished courtroom lawyers.

The Litigation War Room is hosted by Maxwell Goss, a litigation attorney with the intellectual property boutique firm Fishman Stewart PLLC. Max represents clients in intellectual property and business cases in Michigan and around the country, bringing forceful advocacy and creative solutions to every case he handles.
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