Mesa Negotiation & Mediation Lawyers

How Our Mesa Mediation Attorneys Assist in Settlement Conferences

Courts of general jurisdiction may set up ADR programs to help with case management and disposition of civil matters. Judges appreciate the opportunity to take a matter off of their docket and send it to a judicial officer who has been approved by the Superior Court. Often the Judge will wait until discovery is finished. Settlement conferences are scheduled by the court staff. The parties must appear in person or make a motion to appear telephonically. The purpose is to see whether a matter can be resolved before too much time, effort and money has been invested in the litigation process. Settlement conferences are negotiation-heavy. That is why you want a skilled negotiator representing your interests. Before going to a settlement conference it is important to plan what is part of the deal and what is not. Our attorneys will talk with you about creating and distributing value within the settlement conference.

In Arizona, the judicial officer may be a Judge Pro Tem (basically a volunteer part-time judge), or a retired Superior Court Judge. The judicial officer should care about party self-determination. The judicial officer should be neutral and impartial. In order to be a Judge Pro Tem, a licensed attorney must have at least five years of practice in the law of the jurisdiction of the court and have demonstrated good moral character. Prior to the beginning of the settlement conference the judicial officer reviews all of the pleadings and familiarizes himself or herself with the case. The conference is generally three to four hours in length. Parties are able to evaluate the performance of the mediator at the end of the settlement conference. If the matter is not resolved a trial date is given and the litigation continues.

• We prepare each client by reviewing the case and talking about the authority we have within the conference
• We advocate for our client
• We remain level headed so our professional judgment is not impaired
• We protect our client’s interests from the opposing side
• We advise our clients while in the thick of the settlement conference

Local Mesa Mediation Lawyer Near Me

Mediation is a process where a neutral assists both parties with negotiation. It is a voluntary and confidential process. Good mediators know that effective mediation is about finding ways to help the parties communicate. Many mediators are trained in psychology, sociology, or have a background in social work. A mediator who has a law degree should be sought out for his or her familiarity with the subject matter, and ability to bring parties to agreement. Ask the mediator what his or her experience has been and the kind of claims that have been mediated. Private mediators generally charge per hour, but some have flat rates. Our Mesa litigation attorneys have extensive experience with helping our clients chose a mediator. The mediator can have an important impact on the outcome, so we choose carefully.

Mediators generally have a variety of skills associated with communication and negotiation. Mediation is a process that is designed to react to the emotional intensity of legal negotiations. Good mediators know when to slow things down and use different interventions to assist with the negotiation.  A mediator should care about party self-determination and informed consent. A mediator should be impartial and neutral. Generally the parties will select a mediator together, based upon advice from their attorneys.

How Our Mediation Lawyers In Mesa Can Assist

At the beginning of a mediation, the mediator will explain the process to the parties. The mediator may lay down some ground rules about going forward. Speak with the mediator about the length of the mediation. Private mediations can last longer than settlement conferences if the parties need more time to work through the different issues.  We have been in mediations that went late into the night, or extended through more than one day.

The draw of mediation is that a skilled negotiator can help parties resolve their differences in expectations. Another draw is that parties get more opportunities to talk through hard issues. People are generally happier with the outcome when they are making the decisions. It should be noted that not all mediations reach agreement.

Learn more about the guidelines of mediation here.

• We explain mediation practice and theory to our clients to prepare them for the experience
• We advise our clients so they are making informed decisions within the negotiations
• We make credibility determinations based upon the parties present and the information shared
• We negotiate on behalf of our clients

Best Mesa Arbitration Lawyers Near Me

Out of the alternatives to litigation, arbitration is the most similar to litigation. Parties give arguments. Evidence is reviewed and a decision is rendered, which is called an award. The arbitration can be binding or non-binding. It is difficult to appeal a binding decision. Arbitration is generally used with business disputes or employment disputes. The arbitration can be either voluntary or mandatory, depending on the claim.

Arbitrators are generally seasoned attorneys or retired judges. They should have practiced in corporate, business, or employment law. We can assist you in selecting an arbitrator.

The draw of arbitration is that the results are generally quicker than it would take to move a matter all the way through trial, and is usually less expensive than litigation. The difficulty of challenging an award is another draw, because parties like the finality of an arbitration award (which can be reduced to judgment relatively quickly if necessary).

How Our Mesa Arbitration Attorneys Can Assist

Any kind of legal process may seem frightening and stressful to many of our clients, but when you enlist the help of the Mesa arbitration attorneys at Denton Peterson Dunn, PLLC, you will get a fully personalized experience with Arizona business lawyers and negotiation attorneys who can help make the process seem far less intimidating. We uphold strong communication with our clients to keep them informed, as well as helping to prepare our clients for the arbitration that will be taking place.

Additionally, we will argue on our clients’ behalf to help protect their interests through expert legal counsel. Arbitration may be necessary for a variety of different disputes, whether you are having a real estate, franchise, or business dispute that needs to be taken care of. Our Mesa arbitration lawyers are prepared to help, offering the most detailed, comprehensive, and personalized approach to your legal needs. Contact Denton Peterson Dunn, PLLC today to learn more about how we can help you.

• Prepare our clients for the arbitration
• Argue on behalf of our clients
• Protect our clients’ interests

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