I offer mediation services to assist parties who wish to resolve their disagreements in a non-adversarial way through a facilitated negotiation.
Mediation is a dignified and private form of dispute resolution.
Mediation is a process in which the parties to a disagreement work with a trained, neutral mediator to first identify all the issues that need to be resolved within their dispute. The mediator then helps the parties resolve the issues, with dignity and privacy, in a manner satisfactory to both. In some instances, such as in child custody or business disputes, the parties may desire or be required to maintain a relationship with each other. Mediation can assist in establishing new methods of communication to achieve this goal.
Mediation can be conducted with or without attorneys present.
Mediation can be conducted with or without the attorneys representing the parties being present at the mediation sessions. It is generally best to obtain legal advice regarding your rights and responsibilities prior to mediation, and I strongly recommend all parties to mediation to consult with an attorney prior to signing a mediated agreement.
The mediator will not give legal advice to either party.
I am an attorney admitted to practice law by the Court of Appeals of Maryland, but I will not give legal advice to any party in the mediation. I may provide general legal information to both parties and may discuss legal issues with the attorneys involved. I received mediation training in the Maryland Institute for the Continuing Professional Education of Lawyers 40-hour Civil Mediation, 20-hour Parenting and Child Access, and 20-hour Property and Financial Issues seminars. I am a member of the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence, an approved mediator for the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County in custody/visitation and marital property matters, a panel mediator in the District Court of Maryland day-of-trial mediation program, and a family law settlement conference facilitator for the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
Although mediation may be court ordered, it is a voluntary process.
Unless you come to the court with an agreement, mediation is now required in most custody cases in Maryland courts and is also ordered for most divorce property and general civil disputes. In non-custody cases, the court may ask you to participate in mediation, or mediation may be required by an agreement. The court can assign a mediator whom you will be required to pay for at least two, two-hour sessions. Your continued participation in mediation and your consent to any agreement reached in the process is completely voluntary. You may remove yourself from the process and pursue traditional litigation or other avenues of negotiation at any time. I encourage you to try mediation to resolve your disputes.
Agreements reached in mediation are binding.
I am available to mediate your dispute, either before or during litigation, and to help you reach a mutually agreeable solution without undergoing the costly, lengthy and sometimes emotional litigation process. I will then work with you to prepare a Parenting Plan or a memorandum of understanding which can be reduced to a formal agreement by your attorneys or, if you choose to be unrepresented, can be read into the record in court.
Please call to request further information or to schedule mediation.