Mediation
Mediation is a Tool to
Bring Stability
It can be particularly useful in resolving issues between
businesses, neighbors, or family members.
Years of experience in learning the pitfalls of personal injury cases
What is the goal of mediation?
It is said that perfect mediation involves two things: one side is going to pay more than they’d like, and the other side is going to accept less than they’d like. If both sides leave satisfied but not exactly pleased, the mediation is generally described as a success
“As a mediator, I know that both sides often can’t get everything they want. But I help them see the value of reaching an agreement, and they often end up with more than they expected.
– Dustin S. Fox, Esq.
Our Founder Dustin Fox is not only an Attorney, but also a Certified Mediator
As a Certified Mediator, Dustin has learned the benefits of pre-suit mediation, avoiding protracted litigation and the associated costs of lawsuits. With a mediator, all the parties in a dispute can be more efficient and less destructive, working together towards a mutually agreeable resolution, rather than escalating the conflict through legal battles.
Mediation can be particularly useful in resolving issues between businesses, neighbors, or family members.
In these situations, the goal is often to preserve relationships and find a solution that satisfies both parties. By engaging in mediation, individuals can have a neutral third party facilitate open communication, identify common interests, and explore potential compromises. This can lead to more satisfactory outcomes and help preserve important connections.
In addition to saving money, mediation also offers other advantages.
Formal mediation allows the parties involved to have more control over the outcome of their dispute, as they actively participate in crafting a solution that works for them. Mediation can also be faster than traditional litigation, providing a timely resolution to conflicts.
What Makes a Good Mediator?
There are several strategies that a mediator can use to help resolve neighborly disputes and maintain a peaceful neighborhood environment:
Active listening: The mediator listens attentively to both parties involved in the dispute, allowing them to express their concerns, frustrations, and perspectives without interruption. This helps to ensure that each party feels heard and understood.
Facilitating communication: The mediator acts as a neutral third party to facilitate constructive communication between neighbors. They encourage respectful dialogue and help to clarify any misunderstandings or miscommunications that may have contributed to the dispute.
Identifying underlying interests: The mediator helps uncover the underlying needs and interests of each party involved in the dispute. By focusing on these interests rather than rigid positions, the mediator can help find mutually satisfactory solutions.
Generating options: The mediator assists in generating a variety of possible solutions or compromises that address the interests of both parties. This encourages creative problem-solving and fosters a sense of ownership and collaboration in finding a resolution.
Building understanding and empathy: The mediator helps foster understanding and empathy between neighbors by encouraging them to consider each other’s perspectives and feelings. This can help reduce animosity and promote a more cooperative approach to resolving the dispute.
Establishing ground rules and agreements: The mediator helps establish clear ground rules for future interactions and agreements to prevent similar disputes from arising in the future. This may include agreements on noise levels, property boundaries, or other specific issues.
Providing guidance and expertise: The mediator may provide information or guidance on relevant laws, regulations, or best practices to help inform the decision-making process and ensure that any agreements reached are fair and legally sound.
