Global Business Lawyers partner and principal, Aaron D. Lovaas, serves as a private mediator for those non-client parties who seek a resolution of their disputes through mediation.  Mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution (“ADR”) that can be commenced either before or after a lawsuit is filed.  Simply speaking, mediation is a form of settlement negotiation within a structure where the parties to a dispute and their attorneys meet with a trained neutral party known as a mediator.  The mediator brings objectivity and neutrality to the process which the parties to the dispute, often entrenched in their respective positions, and their counsel, respectively advocating those positions, may not be able to apply to the dispute themselves.  The goal of mediation is to reach a negotiated agreement between the parties that resolves the dispute, thereby reducing or eliminating the substantial cost of litigation.

The mediator facilitates negotiation between the parties, often presenting creative alternatives for resolution that the parties may not have considered.  Ultimately, the parties are in control of whether the dispute is resolved and the terms of the resolution.  Resolution of disputes through mediation may avoid a lawsuit altogether, or terminate a pending suit early, resulting in reduced costs to parties and providing them the opportunity to focus their energies and resources on their business, rather than litigation.  And, because negotiations in mediation are completely confidential, the parties have the comfort of knowing that the information shared during mediation, such as proprietary business and financial information, will not be made public either in or out of the courtroom.

There are many more beneficial facets of mediation as a dispute resolution tool.  Contact us for more information and to arrange for Mr. Lovaas’ mediation of your dispute.