Mediation
I offer mediation services to meet the needs of parties who wish to resolve their disagreements in a non-adversarial way through a facilitated negotiation.
Mediation is a process in which the parties to a disagreement work with a trained mediator to identify all the issues that need to be resolved within their dispute. The mediator helps the parties resolve the issues in a win/win framework with dignity and privacy. In some instances, such as in a child custody or business dispute, 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 attorney representing the parties to the mediation. It is generally best to have legal representation so you have an advisor regarding your legal rights and responsibilites. I advise all parties to mediation to consult with an attorney prior to signing a mediated agreement.
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 received mediation training in 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, a panel mediator in the District Court of Maryland day-of-trial mediation program, and a family law facilitator for the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County.
Unless you come to the court with an agreement, mediation is now mandated in most custody cases in Maryland courts and is also ordered for most divorce property disputes. Without an agreement, the court can assign a mediator whom you will be required to pay for at least two, two-hour mediation sessions. In other types of cases, the court may ask you to participate in mediation, or mediation may be required by an agreement. 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 at any time. I encourage you to try mediation to resolve your disputes.
I am available to mediate your dispute, either before or during litigation, 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 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.