Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, but please keep in mind that at the mediation you have a chance to share your side of the story and concerns in your own voice that you do not have in litigation.

No. I will not share with any outside party what happened during the mediation unless I come to believe that someone is in danger of serious imminent harm or I learn of unreported attorney misconduct.

No, as part of the agreement to mediate both parties agree to keep what happens in the mediation confidential. As the mediator I will also keep the proceedings confidential. I will not share with any outside party what happened during the mediation unless I come to believe that someone is in danger of serious harm or I learn of unreported attorney misconduct.

No, in fact if other parties are involved in the dispute it can be helpful to have them present. It is more productive if all parties who would need to sign off on a settlement come to the mediation.

While I am an attorney, I do not give legal advice as part of the mediation process. I utilize my legal background to help ask questions and raise possible issues the parties may not have considered, but I am not serving as the legal representative for either party.

No, there are plenty of mediators who do, and I would be happy to provide a reference. However, divorce mediation is not part of my practice.

No, unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator does not decide the case in either party's favor. There are no losers in mediation.

Yes. You do not need to have a court case on file to make use of mediation. I would encourage you still do some research and fact-finding before coming to the mediation. Mediations go better and have a higher chance of settlement if the parties are prepared.

No. Mediations can be very quick or take several hours. If multiple days are required, I will work with the parties to schedule more dates at their convenience.

My hourly rate for reviewing materials and conducting the mediation is one hundred and twenty dollars an hour ($120.00) rounded up to the next quarter hour. My rate for travel is negotiable depending on the circumstances. Compared to the costs of litigation, mediation is typically much more economical.

I ask that you provide at least twenty four (24) hours' notice. I try and arrange my schedule to accommodate you, so I ask that you be respectful. If a party fails to show up without notice, the agreement to mediate requires that he or she pay two hundred dollars ($200.00) to compensate me for the inconvenience.

An e-Neutral is a third party who has been trained in both alternative dispute resolution and e-Discovery. E-Neutrals can serve as mediators, special masters, magistrates, judges, or arbitrators. I am trained as an e-Neutral mediator.

My work is focused on consumer cases, landlord-tenant disputes, and e-Discovery disputes, although I have also mediated small claims cases in the Cook County Courts and attorney fee cases.

While most parties split the costs evenly, the parties are free to make other arrangements. It is preferable if both parties have at least a little money invested.