Tag: Alternative dispute resolution attorney

mediation experience

What Type of Mediation Experience is Required for an Effective Resolution?

Mediation can be a real eye-opening experience for many people, especially with the realization that they can avoid the adversarial nature of the courtroom, not to mention the overwhelming expense, exorbitant amounts of time involved, and stress–all with the assistance of a professional with mediation experience The mediation usually occurs in a much more relaxed setting, and a mediator may even meet with the parties involved after hours due to work schedules or perhaps on a weekend.

In California, a mediator can hang out their shingle whether they have formal training or not. No license or degree is required, although many mediators are lawyers, or retired legal professionals. If you are engaged in a complex legal dispute, you may require a mediator with experience in the field, and one who has knowledge of the topic at hand; for instance, if finances are in dispute, you may want a mediator who actually does have a legal and/or accounting background.

The mediator’s greatest talents usually must lie in being able to take a backseat while disputing parties discuss the issues that landed them there. The mediator is not there to decide the case by any means. They do need to be extremely educated on the problem that brought everyone to mediation though, and this usually means that mediator meets with both parties, separately, before the mediation begins. This allows the mediator to compile information regarding the legal dispute and take some time to reflect on it before the process begins.

The mediator must remain neutral, but kick into high gear when a stalemate is reached. Depending on how severely communications have broken down, they will have to work with each party in discussing better ways to think about and resolve the dispute so they can agree to a settlement and move on. ‘Thinking outside the box’ often becomes a necessity, and mediators usually have an arsenal of skills to encourage this.

Along with knowing how to communicate effectively and help during an impasse, mediators are also responsible for completing all the legal documents at the end of the mediation, outlining what type of settlement has been agreed on and filing it with the court. Once all authorized parties have agreed and signed the settlement, it is considered a binding document.

The Bolender Law Firm will advocate on behalf of clients through litigation, arbitration, or non-binding mediation. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Business Partnerships: Alternative Dispute Resolution May Be Helpful

Entering into a business partnership can be one of the most significant decisions you will ever make regarding a relationship; in fact, it may be a sad state of things today regarding marriage statistics—but all too true—to say that business partnerships often live out one marriage, or even more. And for many also, the business partnership is often built on long-term friendships, some that may stem back to childhood, college, or at least the early days. If your company is new, you and your business partner may have created a product, a business model, and a foundation for your company together.

No matter how solid your partnership or your company is in the beginning, however, a partnership contract is critical. Just as your company has a structure, your partnership should have one too, including boundaries, limits, and definitions regarding titles within the company and what each partner is expected to do, along with financial information such as whether shares are distributed equally, or not, when products are distributed, and any other details your attorney and/or accountant may suggest.
And although it may seem unnecessary in the beginning, having a dispute resolution clause spelled out in your contract can make a world of difference when a major dispute—and one that may even be headed to court—arises.

The great thing about such a clause is it allows you to agree on how you will possibly disagree later. You and your partner, or partners, can outline how any legal disputes will be put to rest, whether through litigation, or alternative dispute resolution such as mediation or arbitration. If there are attorney’s fees, the clause may outline who will pay them, as well as designating locations such as what county disputes would be settled in.

Alternative dispute resolution is often the best solution in the face of a legal dispute with a business partner, especially if you are invested in preserving the relationship. Mediation may be best, offering a casual atmosphere where the parties often feel more comfortable talking and are able to work things out much more quickly and affordably.

Do you need legal assistance with a partnership or business dispute? If so, contact the Bolender Law Firm. Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!

mediation

What Happens When an Agreement Cannot Be Reached in Mediation?

Mediation is often an extremely attractive alternative to the courtroom. Formally termed alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation is typically held in a more casual and relaxed setting, led by a mediator. While the mediator may not technically be licensed or may not even have a legal degree, they are usually very experienced in helping two or more parties deal with some sort of legal dispute that has brought them to such serious odds that they cannot reach an agreement or settlement decision on their own.

In some cases, a judge may even send two parties into mediation during a case, requiring them to work it out. While that puts some added pressure on everyone in a mediation, it also takes them out of the stiff courtroom and out of what may be a more adversarial atmosphere. The mediation offers a setting where the mediator can help if the disputing parties have reached an impasse, encouraging them to think outside the box, and perhaps even learn to empathize with the other party’s situation. The mediator usually has prior, extensive knowledge of the case due to meeting with the parties involved before mediation begins, getting to know them both separately, and understand what brought them into the legal arena to settle their differences.

If a stalemate is so serious that the parties involved cannot or will not budge, the mediator may suggest they take an extended break. This could be a few days, a few weeks, or an indefinite period. If the parties are involved in a court case and they still cannot reach an agreement in mediation, this may not be pleasing to the judge, and their case could be delayed, there may be more mediation suggested (or required), or a trial may be scheduled. Such an ordeal is never easy on anyone, but negotiations simply may not be possible if neither side can give at all.

As in any negotiation, it may be up to the mediator or an attorney to keep the conversation going until someone thinks of something that they can give. Perhaps they have a concession they can make that would not paying them too terribly but could mean a lot to the other side. Most mediations are successful, and the exceptions can be frustrating for everyone involved.

Do you have questions about a mediation or a business issue, or do you need legal assistance regarding a business dispute? If so, contact the Bolender Law Firm.  Our attorneys are experienced in representing clients in state and federal courts, at both the trial and appellate level. Call us at 310-320-0725 now or submit an easy consultation request online. We are here to help!