The Process
- Mediation is a process that is designed to help the parties help themselves. I have created an outline that will take you through the mediation process, procedurally and substantively.
- Who needs the help of a mediator? Parties that want to discuss their issues out of court.
- How do you find the mediator? I have designed a very easy website for you to figure out if I am the right fit for you.
- How to contact me? You can either call me at the contact number or email me at the contact information listed on this website
- How long do I take to reply to your inquiry? I will contact you within 12 hours of you contacting me, and a 15 minute free consultation is set up to go over the issues, and decide whether you want to go ahead with the mediation process or not.
- What happens when and If you decide to hire me as a mediator? I will send both parties a Mediation/Fee Agreement for signature. That agreement will state the terms of our agreement, for example, it will list my hourly rate, and the number of hours suggested for the mediation process.
- What is the time frame for the mediation? Most mediations are done in the time slot of 2 or 4 hours. Some complex mediations can take several days.
- Is there a cancellation fee? I charge a non-refundable fee of $90 once you sign the Mediation/Fee Agreement, The $90 fee is charged as an insurance if the parties decide to cancel the mediation process once they have signed the agreement. If the mediation continues as planned by the parties, the $90 will be applied towards the total cost of the mediation.
- My hourly rate? I charge $180 per hour.
- Mediation Day. Both parties will show up for the mediation at my office on 155 North Michigan Avenue, Suite 622 at the coordinated time. I urge both parties to be punctual, and make sure they have enough time to find parking. The office is also easily accessible through Cta and Metra routes. As stated above, the mediation process can take anywhere from 2-4 hours. I will have coffee, tea, and water available for you at the office.
- Agreement or Not? Both parties may or may not reach an agreement that day. You should only sign an agreement unless you are ready to do so. You will also need to consider if you have the authority to settle and sign the agreement if one is reached that day. Either party is also free to proceed with a different kind of dispute resolution at any point during the mediation.
- Some key points regarding the mediation process. The mediation is a facilitative process, which means that I am there to help you have a productive discussion about the issues that brought you to my office that day. My role is to be an impartial party to the conflict. I would not have met either party before mediation that day. Both parties will make brief statements about issues that brought them to mediation. There may be a point during the discussion where I would like to talk to the parties alone for clarification of certain issues.
- Confidentiality. The mediation process is confidential. Recording of any part of the mediation is not allowed. I will not willingly testify or share any information that I have heard during the mediation process. However, there are two exceptions. If I believe that someone is in danger of serious immediate harm, and the information that I have heard or know can save that person from harm, then I may have to break the confidentiality to deal with that situation. In addition, since I am an attorney, I am required by law to report any attorney misconduct.
- Please email me if you any questions regarding the mediation process.
