Choosing Matthews & Hawkins was the best decision I could
have ever made. They stood by me as a friend throughout a really difficult time. I will never be able to thank them enough.
Mediation and Arbitration
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It is surprising to many people that less than ten percent of all civil lawsuits are decided by a judge or jury. Most cases are settled prior to trial and many of these matters are resolved through alternative methods. One of the most successful alternative dispute resolution methods is mediation, a non-adversarial way to resolve conflicts and avoid the uncertainty of trial. A mediator is a person trained to help parties reach a voluntary negotiated agreement. Another method is arbitration, which is frequently written into contracts to minimize the expense and delays of a trial. Contracts frequently provide that arbitration is mandatory and binding, so it is in effect a “private” trial.
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Mediation is often a cost effective alternative to lengthy litigation which allows the parties to craft their own outcome, including remedies not available to judges or juries. The Florida Supreme Court recently mandated the use of mediation in foreclosure lawsuits involving primary residential properties in the State of Florida to conserve limited judicial resources. The lawyers at Matthews & Hawkins can help you evaluate whether a mediation or arbitration proceeding is appropriate for your particular circumstance. According to industry experts, mediation has an overall success rate of 83%, which clearly demonstrates the effectiveness of this alternative.
John W. Hawkins and Mary K. Kraemer are two of only sixteen circuit civil mediators who are certified by the Supreme Court of Florida in the First Judicial Circuit and are available to mediate for parties who understand the benefits of mediation.
Our office has facilities designed for mediation and arbitration proceedings with five conference rooms, accommodating joint sessions in which all parties, their counsel and the mediator meet together; and individual sessions, or caucuses, in which the mediator meets privately with each party and their lawyer.
With all of this in mind, the next time you speak with one of our attorneys, remember to ask if a mediation or arbitration proceeding can work for you. If you are represented by someone other than Matthews & Hawkins, or have a client who is in need of mediation services, please consider John W. Hawkins and Mary K. Kraemer when selecting a mediator.