My Role About 18 years ago I recognized that much of the consulting work I was doing was actually spent doing a considerable amount of negotiating and mediating, I also recognized the benefit of this means of resolving problems and situations in all areas of living, not just business. I recognized past situations that would have benefited from formal mediation, not just in my life and my role as a business consultant, but so to in the lives and businesses of family, friends , and associates. I sought to learn more about it. At that time there wasn't much known about this special service as it was relatively new to the professional and business community. I learned what i could from those offering the service and worked to develop the process to fit the needs of my clients. After years of doing it as an add-on to my consulting business I became certified through training and recognition by the Michigan State Court Administrators Office to be qualified to work through the courts as a Court Approved mediator with the special training. After receiving my certification I volunteered energy and time to Westshore Dispute Resolution Center that is in Muskegon Michigan. The mediation process taught and used by this Center was mandatory upon the mediators to use but is not always the best for every situation. Many times I found myself in a case that would have benefited from less strict adherence to a set process and more latitude in services offered to benefit the clients. As a professional in the area of consulting, negotiations, advocating, and representation, I have found that even if the client requests mediation services there may be more need for individual consultation with one or more parties and the need for formal mediation is no longer the best means of resolving the individual concerns. Mediation is an informal alternative to litigation. However, mediation is not only for situations that are headed for the courts, it is also a means of working out any kinds of disputes or problems or simple uncomfortable situations between any two or more parties. Mediation is also a service utilized by clients that have lawyers or attorneys but still need the neutral facilitator to oversee and be involved in settlement situations or negotiations. Mediation can help groups find common agreement on certain issues and then recognize and work on issues of controversy. It is a way to find peace amongst family members problems with each other. It is an alternative to debt collection services thereby removing the cold impersonal tactics most often used. It is also for the debtor to help find a way of resolving problems with others that they owe and need help with. Often times the role of a mediator is just to help determine what the real and underlying issues are to the parties. Sometimes there are issues that can not be resolved to all parties satisfaction but after the process of mediation, all parties can better know the other sides situation and feelings. Besides regular business mediating I am experienced with mediations involving parenting time and custody issues, restitution for victims of crimes, family & parenting issues, relationship difficulties, divorce situations, debt related issues, buying and selling, issues with government agencies, local government situations (planning, zoning, building department, councils and boards, etc.), contract discussions & disputes, employer/ employee, landlord/ tenant, group consolidation, Balanced and Restorative Justice (BARJ) and for unique situations i am able to provide individual & group representation and advocating at mediation. As an experienced and certified mediator I am able to make all arrangements and provide a neutral environment in which to meet with you and with any and all other parties that are necessary for resolution. I am a professional mediator trained in negotiations, who bring opposing parties together and attempt to work out a settlement or agreement, even an agreement listing the issues on which they disagree. I will help you through your rough times and tough situations. I am a unique individual amongst mediators as I am not 'married' to one particular process or way of mediating, and sometimes conventional mediation is too limiting. All situations and clients are unique and may require other specialty services and assistance. Many situations greatly benefit from thinking 'outside the box'. Not any one service is always best and quite often a combination of skills and services are best to bring resolution to differing situations. Where many mediators are trained and practice uniform mediation processes, I am able to look at the big picture and help find the best way to help you in your unique situation. I am a trained and experienced professional in many facets of ADR and other intercommunication services that are of benefit to those seeking help with situations in their lives that they wish to have resolved. Whether individual, family, group, business or agency, I am here to call upon to help you. A Note About Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) ADR typically refers to any means of settling disputes outside of the courtroom. While the two most common forms of ADR are arbitration and mediation, negotiation is almost always attempted first to resolve a dispute. It is the preeminent mode of dispute resolution. Negotiation allows the parties to meet in order to settle a dispute. The main advantage of this form of dispute settlement is that it allows the parties themselves to control the process and the solution. ADR has greatly expanded over the last several years to include many areas in addition to the traditional commercial dispute in the form of arbitration; negotiation through mediation has become an important first step in the dispute resolution process. Arbitrators and mediators have an important role in resolving disputes. Mediators act as neutrals to reconcile the parties differences and often circumvent the need for arbitration or litigation. Arbitrators act as neutral third parties to hear the evidence and decide the case. Arbitration can be binding or non-binding. ADR may include many different intercommunication skills and services such as consulting and early neutral evaluation, negotiation, conciliation, mediation, and arbitration. As court cases continue to back up, rising costs of litigation, and time delays continue to plague litigants, more states have begun experimenting with ADR programs as they recognize that not all situations are best handled through the legal court system and even support mediation with funding through the court system. (All of my work involves confidentiality and strict adherence to the right of privacy of my clients. Whether it is consulting or mediation, negotiating or representation, a Confidentiality Agreement is required. What ever is revealed to me in my professional capacity is kept private unless otherwise required by law or allowed/instructed by the client) |
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| MEDIATION & ADR |
