About Mediation

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Meet Our Mediators

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mediators do not render judgements
​– any resolution reached is one that comes from the parties themselves. 

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• A  mediator works together with the parties to generate solutions to settle their conflict.  
• The mediator facilitates communication and negotiation between all the parties. 
• The mediator’s position is neutral as to the parties, their issues, and the outcome of the mediation.  
• ​Mediation is private and is usually a voluntary process.  
• Mediation  takes an investment of time and effort, since the parties themselves are working through the issues directly with the mediator, instead of having their representatives argue for them before an arbitrator or judge. 
• ​Mediation is flexible, allowing the mediator to adapt the process to suit the nature of the dispute and accommodate the unique needs of each party.

How Mediation Works

 Mediation may take one of several forms depending on the nature of the dispute and whether the matter is pending in a formal grievance process or before the court.  

    Generally, all the parties to a dispute (and in many cases, their attorneys) start the process by meeting together in a joint session.  

      It is not unusual for the mediator to then break into private meetings with each side in a step known as caucus.  The mediator shuttles back and forth between the parties until the conclusion of the conference or until it becomes appropriate to bring all the parties back for additional joint sessions.

 If no agreement is reached, the mediator declares an impasse and the parties then move on to other means of resolving their dispute.
​If an agreement is reached, the terms of agreement are written down in a “Memorandum of Understanding.”

   If there are no attorneys present, the document is provided to the parties for consideration, legal review and signature.   If there are attorneys present, the parties sign the agreement.  
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The agreement is enforceable as if it were a contract.