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Best Mediators & Arbitrators in New Orleans, LA

Our Recommended Top 11

We did the research for you!

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Our goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored New Orleans Mediators & Arbitrators on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.

75Reviewed

49Curated

11Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Metairie, LA 70002

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Pre-Trial Solutions of Louisiana in Metairie offers alternative dispute resolution for issues including personal injury, workers compensation, maritime property damage, employment discrimination, and Defense Base Act claims. The hourly rate for a two-party mediation is $275 plus a $200 administrative fee. Travel and lodging fees will also be charged if any services are performed outside greater New Orleans.

New Orleans, LA 70130

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (2)
Yelp
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Smiley Law Firm is a boutique New Orleans company resolving legal matters in the areas of construction law, business litigation, and personal injury. The company's managing partner Seth J. Smiley is a trained mediator and believes that mediation and arbitration are often "better mediums for resolving disputes than traditional litigation."

New Orleans, LA 70130

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
5.0 (3)

Why choose this provider?

The Mora Law Office in New Orleans was founded in 2000 as a general practice to handle cases of employment law, intellectual property, entertainment law, commercial and business law, family law, personal injury, and immigration. Free initial consultations are available and clients can explore affordable payment options. Attorney Mora is licensed to practice law in New York and Louisiana and is also a trained mediator.

Metairie, LA 70002

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.3 (8)

Why choose this provider?

Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems in Metairie has been offering "total dispute solutions" for a range of legal issues and conflicts since 1987. The company "successfully mediates hundreds of disputes each month" and is able to reach early settlements to cut down on litigation expenses and other costs.

New Orleans, LA 70112

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Avvo
5.0 (1)

Why choose this provider?

Lynn Luker is a New Orleans attorney with over 30 years of experience who practices employment, admiralty and maritime, toxic tort, environmental, and commercial law. Attorney Luker is also a professor at Tulane University School of Law and an experienced trial lawyer who serves as a mediator and arbitrator offering alternative dispute resolution services.

New Orleans, LA 70163

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Tom Foutz is a New Orleans attorney who has conducted over 3,000 successful mediations since 1993, and who has been named a "Best Lawyer in America" for alternative dispute resolution. Attorney Foutz also offers jury focus groups and mock trials and he is a past chair of the Louisiana State Bar Association's Alternative Dispute Resolution Section.

New Orleans, LA 70112

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Facebook
4.8 (5)

Why choose this provider?

Kean Miller is a New Orleans law firm with over 150 attorneys that prides itself on putting "people first." The firm is particularly dedicated to "serving Fortune 1000 companies with significant operations in the Gulf South," including ExxonMobil Chemical, Chevron, and Sunoco. The company also features a Mediation and Arbitration Center fully equipped with "state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment, WiFi, teleconference and video conference equipment," and private conference rooms.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Angela Adolph - PartnerActive30 yrs
Linda Clark - Managing PartnerActive33 yrs
Sean Mclaughlin - PartnerActive16 yrs
Louis Grossman - PartnerActive21 yrs

New Orleans, LA 70112

Why choose this provider?

Kirk Granier is a New Orleans retired judge, attorney at law, mediator, and arbitrator. His practice areas include wrongful death, accidents, criminal defense, and divorce. Judge Granier understands mediation as a "private and confidential out of court process in which a neutral mediator helps the parties to negotiate and resolve disputes." Once an agreement is reached through mediation, it becomes legally binding and enforceable. The hourly fee for mediation is $150 per person.

New Orleans, LA 70130

Expertise.com Rating

Why choose this provider?

Shields Mott is a New Orleans law firm founded in 1995 that prides itself on "vigorously and aggressively representing clients in the courtroom, at the negotiating table, and in the halls of government." Practice areas include construction and commercial law, insurance defense, intellectual property and trademark, and alternative dispute resolution. The company offers arbitration, mediation, summary jury trial, mini-trial, and mediated fact-finding services.

New Orleans, LA 70124

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
5.0 (2)
Facebook
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

Cynthia D. Samuel is a New Orleans attorney with 23 years of courtroom experience. She specializes in the areas of juvenile law, family law, and criminal defense. In 1990, attorney Samuel completed mediator training at Loyola University Law School and has since participated in hundreds of juvenile court mediations. She always "advocates for her clients' positions and interests." She is a member of the Louisiana Bar Association, the New Orleans Bar Association, and additional professional organizations.

Attorney Information

Attorney NameBar StatusExperience
Cynthia Samuel - PrincipalActive34 yrs

Mandeville, LA 70471

Expertise.com Rating

Review Sources

Google
4.0 (4)
Avvo
5.0 (2)

Why choose this provider?

The Law Office of Virginia Erwin Sirera in Mandeville handles "difficult family law issues every day" and has over 20 years of experience. Attorney Sirera approaches her "clients' cases with reasonable solutions and a straightforward attitude" and she has been named one of the Top 100 Matrimonial Lawyers in America by The National Advocates. Mediations for all areas of family law and divorce are available, and they typically offer "individuals who are able to come to reasonable agreements the opportunity to do so without handing over control of their family law disputes to a judge."

Compare our Top Mediators & Arbitrators

NameExpertise RatingAddressPromotionsLearn more
Pre-Trial Solutions of Louisiana
Metairie, LA 70002
Smiley Law Firm
New Orleans, LA 70130
Mora Law Office
New Orleans, LA 70130
Mediation Arbitration Professional Systems
Metairie, LA 70002
Lynn Luker
New Orleans, LA 70112
Tom Foutz
New Orleans, LA 70163
Kean Miller
New Orleans, LA 70112
Kirk Granier
New Orleans, LA 70112
Shields Mott
New Orleans, LA 70130
Cynthia D. Samuel
New Orleans, LA 70124
Law Office of Virginia Erwin Sirera
Mandeville, LA 70471

Disclaimer:  Consumers utilizing Expertise.com are free to communicate and contract with any lawyer they choose. Expertise.com is not involved in the confidential attorney-client relationship. Featured lawyers pay a reasonable advertising cost to market their legal services with Expertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

FAQs

  • What is mediation?

    Mediation is an alternative to going to trial during legal disputes. The parties on both sides agree to work with an impartial third party who oversees discussions concerning the matter in dispute. The goal and hope of mediation is to come to a settlement or compromise that is agreeable to both parties. The mediator doesn't represent either party but works with both to help ensure that discussions are civil and agreements are as fair as possible given the situation. In many cases, if mediation fails, then the parties can move on to a trial in court.

  • What is arbitration?

    Arbitration is another alternative to a court trial, but it's a bit more formal than mediation. During the arbitration, evidence and testimony is presented to a panel of people who act as judges of sorts. They issue an opinion about the matter in writing, and depending on how the arbitration was entered into, it may or may not be binding. If it's binding, the parties must accept and abide by the decisions of the arbitrators. Commonly, each side selects a third-party arbitrator, and each of those people selects a third person.

  • Is arbitration or mediation better?

    Arbitration and mediation both have pros and cons, and which one is right for you depends on your personal preferences, legal goals, and the details of your case. Mediation can offer more control, and because of that, those who go through it tend to report a higher level of satisfaction. But arbitration is more formal and may provide a more structured environment, which may be needed if civil discussions aren't possible.

  • How do I choose a mediator or arbitrator?

    If you can choose a mediator or arbitrator, it's critical to look for a neutral third party. Someone who is in any way tied to either side or who might have a known strong opinion on matters related to the case may not be the best option. Legal knowledge is important for mediators and arbitrators, but arbitrators should also have court experience. Retired or former judges or trial lawyers may be good choices for arbitrators, for example.

  • What is an arbitration agreement?

    An arbitration agreement waives your right to seek legal remedies in court under certain circumstances, specifically, if you and the other party have unresolved disputes. You submit to binding arbitration over all matters, which can be somewhat risky as arbitration agreements are usually requested by companies that have arbitration processes set up, and those processes may not be impartial.

  • What is mandatory arbitration?

    Mandatory arbitration occurs when someone is forced to use arbitration as a means of settling an issue. One of the most common scenarios for this is employment. Employers may require that employees sign an arbitration agreement before they can begin work. The employees then give up some rights to go to court over certain employment issues.

  • What should I expect in child custody mediation?

    During a child custody mediation, the mediator will likely encourage each party to focus on the needs of the child or children. The parties work together to agree on custody. They typically won't discuss matters of child support, marital property, or other factors of the divorce—unless the mediation is for the whole divorce. If you are attending mediation, it is advised to come prepared to discuss what's in the best interest of your children and situation, but also be prepared to reach a compromise.