Services

Mediation (In-Person and Online)

I mediate a wide range of state and federal claims, both pre-suit and in all stages of litigation. Coming in as a neutral in a case, I facilitate conversation to help people communicate in a way they may have had difficulty doing directly to help move the dispute to settlement. This involves more than just acting as the messenger in the middle of a dispute. Critical issues may not be apparent on the surface. Finding­ and addressing these issues is often necessary to break an impasse or improve the quality of an agreement.

Once the parties have agreed to move forward with mediation, my pre-mediation process includes discussion with all parties to ensure the case is postured for productive negotiations. However, you don’t need an agreement to mediate from the other parties  before contacting me. I can bring the parties to the table by communicating  with the other side(s) to see whether negotiations are a possibility and then help coordinate the mediation process.

Mediating at the earliest practical point in a dispute is ideal because there are numerous benefits that may be lost through delay. Quite simply, if you don’t make an attempt to resolve your conflicts at an early stage (i.e. as soon as the parties have sufficient information to comfortably negotiate and settle the dispute), you may eliminate the possibility of reaching the optimal solution. On the other hand, it’s never “too late” to mediate, as many cases are settled “on the courthouse steps,” or even when the parties think attempts to negotiate will be futile.

Online mediation is very effective. Video technology allows virtual mediation to unfold much the same as in-person mediation, with each participant attending via computer or mobile device. In many cases, the benefits of mediating online may make it preferable to in-person meetings. Hybrid mediations (with some participants being in-person and others remote) offer additional flexibility. See FAQ’s below for more information. As a Certified Online Mediator, I am dedicated to providing a dependable experience on par with mediating in person. And I can walk you through the process to address any technology concerns and coach participants on appearing for a Zoom meeting.

Case Evaluation

I offer private consultation to assist parties and counsel in evaluating their cases. You get an objective view of the strengths and weaknesses of your case with the goal of helping you determine how to best position the case toward the desired outcome.

Neutral Case Management

To facilitate the mediation process, I can manage your case discovery to minimize the time and cost of exchanging information required for productive negotiations. I help the parties develop a case management plan with the objective of focusing on the primary barriers to settlement. Once the parties identify information necessary to properly evaluate their case for mediation, I work with them to obtain that information in a cost-effective manner. Neutral case management is most effective in pre-suit matters and matters in the early stages of litigation.