Mediation is an alternative to litigation that provides a neutral and confidential environment for parties to discuss their dispute. It helps to improve communication and discover the real problems in the workplace, while allowing the parties to have an equal voice in the process. There is no determination of fault, but rather a mutually acceptable solution is reached. In today's society, legal disputes can be costly, time consuming, and emotionally draining.
Mediation offers many benefits that can save time and money, reduce stress, and improve the overall well-being of the parties. As a lawyer, judge, and mediator, I have seen litigants navigate the judicial system and have had the privilege of visiting several courts in the state of New York to review that navigation. Mediation offers litigants the opportunity to resolve an issue in a different way. Whether it's a divorce, personal injury matter, landlord-tenant dispute, insurance coverage issue, or labor or contract claim, mediation can be beneficial. A study conducted by the University of Virginia and published by The Journal of Consulting and Clinical Psychology on the effects of mediating or litigating child custody disputes provides a clear indication of the benefits of mediation over litigation. At the end of the mediation session, any notes taken by the mediators are destroyed.
