QWhat is Mediation?

A Negotiation sessions guided by a neutral third party. A skilled mediator will help clarify issues, find common ground, maintain focus and lead everyone toward an agreeable outcome.

 

QWhat is Arbitration?

A A procedure during which disputing parties present their case to a neutral, mutually agreed upon arbitrator. Judgment is binding.

 

QHow effective is Mediation?

A Mediation generally enjoys an 80-85% success rate. That success rate, coupled with the speed and low cost, has pushed mediation to the forefront of dispute resolution. While the arbitration process differs from mediation in that the parties agree to an arbitrator — and in many cases, to the high/low settlement parameters, success can be measured in the expertise of the arbitrator, the speed in which arbitration can be conducted, and the low cost of the arbitration process.

Any way you look at it, mediation and arbitration at Advocate’s Forum are success stories in and of themselves.

 

QHow much does arbitration/mediation cost?

A In general Mediation and Arbitration is extremely cost effective over traditional court costs. Our rates are competitive as we do not set a session minimum and in the non-adversarial spirit of mediation, we realize that scheduling problems can happen and do not charge a cancellation fee. Our fees start at $325.00 an hour but a daily rate can be arranged.

 

QWhat is our view on mediation?

A We at Advocate's Forum believe that mediation is not a part-time hobby or an honorary title, but a serious discipline that requires a mastery of negotiation skills. As such, it requires the sustained effort from its practitioners to achieve consistent quality and effectiveness. Simply being an experienced trial attorney or tenured judge is insufficient, for mediation is distinct both in concept and practice, from advocacy and adjudication. Indeed, merely rendering an opinion on how a case may turn out does not represent the true spirit of mediation, but is only the purchase of another's opinion which may be of dubious value.

Mediation requires that in addition to legal and trial skills, the mediator must be able to analyze complex problems, apply logic and risk analysis, initiate negotiating momentum, foster creative problem solving and be adept at managing human dynamics. In short, it requires the highest-caliber lawyers who are able and willing to invest a great deal of time in acquiring and perfecting these skills. It is for this reason, that Advocate's Forum requires its members, regardless of where they practice law, be well experienced and trained as professional mediators wholly familiar with the professional standards of ethics and conduct.

 

QWhat should I bring?

A Submissions are due a week in advance; and include all materials you would otherwise bring to a trial.