Mediation

During family law litigation or dispute, parties will likely be required to attend mediation unless there is an amicable and complete resolution early in the process. Mediation is required in almost every family law dispute (there are limited exceptions), and mediation is a tool to allow parties an opportunity to determine the outcome of their claims and disputes before the Court is required to tell the parties what each party will do and often times not do.

Mediation is one of the alternatives to Court and has proven effective over the course of time, leading to the mediation mandate. Mediation works when both parties (or all parties in some cases) recognize the risk of Court and are willing to discuss-- through structured negotiations-- a resolution of their own issues, according to their agreed upon terms and of which they decided “together.”

Mediating with an experienced mediator is an advantage. Mediators who also practice litigation have first-hand knowledge and experience with Judges, courtrooms, and potential trial outcomes. They are also acutely aware of the financial and emotional strain that litigation and trial can place upon parties. Keeping those issues in mind, an experienced mediator can help you focus on finding creative ways to reach a collaborative and comprehensive agreement on your family law issues.

While being a trial/litigation attorney allows me to serve my client’s interest, serving as a mediator allows me to assist many others in a different role. Mediation has become one of my passions over the course of the years, and seeing families find a common agreement that they crafted is one of the best rewards of my career.

I understand that attending mediation is often complicated and can be burdensome, especially for single parents, when trying to find childcare and other arrangements in order to focus on mediation. As a part of my mediation services, ask about alternatives to the standard mediation settlement conference. I can provide mediation services in various ways, including in-person and through Zoom/video conferencing. I also understand that sometimes Saturdays are the best and easiest days to handle “business” as not all parties involved in family law disputes fall into the Monday-Friday business hours window. If Saturday mediation seems more fitting and accommodating, ask about Saturday* availability to mediate your matter.

*Select and limited Saturday availability by appointment only; advanced deposits may be required at booking. Please note that alternative mediation services, including Saturday scheduling, requires the consent of all parties and attorneys involved. Saturday mediation scheduling does NOT include childcare services, but as a means of more flexibility for those parties that need to complete mediation but often need other family members to assist with childcare so they can attend.

FOR MEDIATION AVAILABILITY, PLEASE CLICK THE LINK DIRECTLY TO THE CALENDAR. YOU CAN COMPLETE AND HOLD YOUR MEDIATION DATE DIRECTLY ON THE CALENDAR. PLEASE MAKE CERTAIN THAT IF YOU NEED TO REQUEST A ½ DAY MEDIATION, YOU SELECT ONLY THE MORNING OR AFTERNOON BLOCK; IF YOU NEED TO SCHEDULE A FULL DAY FOR MEDIATION, PLEASE BLOCK BOTH THE MORNING AND AFTERNOON SESSIONS. ONCE THE HOLD HAS BEEN PLACED, MY OFFICE WILL REACH OUT TO YOU FOR INTAKE INFORMATION, CONFIRMATION OF SCHEDULING, AND AN ADVANCED DEPOSIT, IF REQUESTED.