What is Mediation?
Mediation is a confidential process used to resolve conflicts in a calm and organized manner. The objective of mediation is for parties already in conflict to participate in a professional dialogue regarding their dispute, to present their points of view, and explore options for a mutually beneficial settlement and resolution of their dispute.
How Does it Work?
An impartial mediator directs the process and facilitates the communication between the parties in an effort to explore solutions and obtain a mutually satisfactory agreement. The mediator welcomes the participants and explains the mediation process, the mediator's role in the process and the rules of mediation, usually in a joint session. The participants then present their issues they want to resolve, explore their options and look for a mutual resolution, frequently in a private session format. If the parties reach an agreement at mediation, this is typically a binding agreement.
The Mediator's Role
The mediator plays an impartial third party who is trained to listen to the parties, clarify the parties' issues and facilitate communication to help the participants negotiate in a flexible, private setting. The mediator does not choose sides in the dispute, but works to find common ground and a resolution that satisfies all parties.
Cases Appropriate for Mediation
Conflicts between neighbors, family members, merchants and consumers, landlords and tenants, and employers and employees are often mediated. Basically, any type of dispute can be appropriate for mediation.
Mediation can be utilized before lawsuits are filed in order to avoid expensive litigation. Mediation can also be used in the midst of litigation to help parties resolve their dispute outside of court and with control over the specific outcome.
Benefits of Mediation
Mediation is voluntary, flexible, and confidential. If an agreement is reached, it's an agreement everyone is satisfied with because the parties have control over the terms of the agreement. Mediation is very cost efficient compared to expensive and drawn out litigation. It is also a much faster way to resolve your dispute, because lawsuits sometimes take years to resolve.
Why Hire Milligan Law, PLLC for your Mediation Needs?
Jessica Milligan is a vetted and credentialed Texas mediator with experience settling disputes and helping others work through issues. As an attorney with nearly two decades of legal experience in civil and criminal work on both sides of the bar, Jessica has settled disputes on behalf of clients and the government in various ways. She understands the realities and expenses of litigation and taking cases to trial. Most importantly, she has seen firsthand how people are impacted when the final disposition of cases is taken out of the hands of the client and put into the hands of judges and juries. Avoid the time and expense of taking your conflict to trial. Milligan Law, PLLC can mediate your dispute and help the parties reach a resolution that works for everyone.