Taking a cue from the historic collaborative agreement on police-community relations, the Cincinnati Arts Association has proposed hiring a professional mediator to settle its lawsuit against the Coalition for a Just Cincinnati.

        In a letter to coalition attorney Lucian Bernard, the CAA invited the boycott group to work out a resolution of their differences “before litigation heats up in ten days or so.” Lawyers for the CAA and the coalition must file responses to dueling lawsuits by April 25.

        “I am absolutely convinced that my client's position is the correct one, and I suppose that you are equally certain that your client is right,” wrote Edward Marks, the attorney representing the CAA. ""However, if disputing parties are able to work together to create a plan for the future, the past becomes less important.”

        The arts association, which oversees the Aronoff Center for the Arts, Music Hall and Memorial Hall, sued the coalition last month claiming the boycott group is interfering with legal contracts between the association and performers.

        In recent months, the coalition has persuaded comedian Bill Cosby, jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis and singer Smokey Robinson to cancel shows in Cincinnati.

        The coalition filed its own lawsuit against the arts group last month. The coalition alleges the CAA tried to intimidate it into silence with a threat of legal action for asking performers to stay away from Cincinnati.

        The CAA has recommended the non-profit Center for Resolution of Disputes Inc. as a potential mediator, but indicated it would also be open to suggestions from the coalition.

        “We remain open to meeting with them and discussing ways to resolve our issues,” said Steve Loftin, executive director of the CAA.

        Mr. Bernard said Wednesday he has received the letter but will not respond until after he meets with coalition members Friday. He said he appreciated the letter and its “non-confrontational tone,” but questioned what mediation with the CAA might accomplish.

        “I would say the things the coalition wants to discuss with the mayor and the city are not things we would be able to mediate with the CAA,” Mr. Bernard said.

        The offer, he said, does not come as a surprise.

        “In my legal opinion, I think they picked a fight they can't win in a court,” Mr. Bernard said.

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