Mediation & Arbitration Law

Alternative Dispute Resolution (“ADR”) refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. ADR typically includes early neutral evaluation, negotiation, conciliation, mediation, and arbitration. Broadly stated this area of the law can be defined as methods of resolving disputes without litigation.

Mediation is an informal alternative to litigation. Mediators are individuals trained in negotiations, who bring opposing parties together and attempt to work out a settlement or agreement that both parties accept or reject. Whereas, arbitration is more formal than mediation and resembles a simplified version of a trial.

Advocates can assist on both ends by representing clients and assisting them in ADR and also acting as independent mediators/arbitrators.