Case evaluation (“Michigan mediation”) provides litigants in trial ready cases with a written, non-binding assessment of the case’s value. The assessment is made by a panel of three attorneys after a short hearing. If the panel’s assessment is accepted by all parties, the case is settled for that amount. If any party rejects the panel’s assessment, the case proceeds to trial. This arbitration-like process has been referred to as “Michigan mediation” because it was created by the Michigan state courts and subsequently used by the federal district courts in Michigan as well.°1 324. See, e.g., WI). Mich. Civ. R. 16.5. 134