Mediation Introduction
Over the past twenty as an attorney litigating cases throughout State and Federal Courts throughout New York State, I have gained solid experience and credentials to serve parties as a mediator in a variety of contexts. For those of you not familiar with mediation, it is a process in which a third-party neutral assists in resolving a dispute between two or more other parties. It is a cost-effective, non-adversarial approach to conflict resolution. The role of the mediator is to facilitate communication between the parties, assist them in focusing on the real issues of the dispute, and generate options that meet the interests or needs of all relevant parties in an attempt to resolve the conflict.
Unlike arbitration, where the intermediary listens to the arguments of both sides and makes a decision for the disputants, a mediator assists the parties to develop a solution themselves. Although mediators sometimes provide ideas, suggestions, or even formal proposals for settlement, the mediator is primarily a “process person,” helping the parties define the agenda, identify and reframe the issues, communicate more effectively, find areas of common ground, negotiate fairly, and hopefully, reach an agreement.
Mediation is widely used in all sorts of disputes, ranging from divorces to civil lawsuits to very complex problems which occur under a variety of circumstances. Many disputes have not responded to an initial attempt at negotiation can still be settled through mediation. Even when conflicts are seemingly intractable, they sometimes yield to mediation. Mediation is of particular importance in long-running, deep-rooted conflicts, as this type of conflict is rarely resolved with such outside assistance.
In summary, mediation is a cost-effective, time-saving and responsible approach to resolving conflicts whether in litigation or not.
Let me put my experience, integrity and people skills to work for you. Call me today at (716) 852-1888.