2024
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LicensingUser ReviewsMystery Shopping CallsOur goal is to connect people with the best local professionals. We scored Raleigh Mediators & Arbitrators on more than 25 variables across five categories, and analyzed the results to give you a hand-picked list of the best.
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= Featured ProviderCapitol Law Resolutions is a mediation and arbitration firm in Raleigh that resolves employment disputes involving breaches of contract, discrimination, and wrongful discharge. Capitol Law Resolutions is a member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, National Arbitration and Mediation, and the American Arbitration Association.
(36)(5)Marshall & Taylor is a family law firm in Raleigh that practices contested, mediated, and collaborative divorce. The firm handles restraining orders, domestic violence cases, child custody agreements, and property division disputes. Marshall & Taylor are Board Certified Family Law Specialists and was named Top Attorneys in North Carolina by Charlotte Magazine. A satisfied client said the members of Marshall & Taylor “made sure I understood the different sides of the decisions through each step of the process and was always responsive to my questions.”
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Jeffrey Marshall - Partner | Active | 28 yrs |
| Travis Taylor - Partner | Active | 28 yrs |
Barri Payne Family Law & Mediation in Raleigh handles separation agreements, equitable distribution, and property settlement. The firm practices family law appeals in cases involving domestic violence, child custody, and the termination of parental rights. Attorney Barri Payne is a Certified Family Financial Mediator by the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Barri Payne - Principal | Active | 25 yrs |
Daphne Edwards, Of Counsel Cheshire Parker Schneider & Bryan, is a divorce lawyer in Raleigh that has 20 years of experience in appellate procedure, child custody, and family law. The firm handles LGBT custody and divorce, equitable distribution, and separation agreements. Attorney Daphne Edward holds ratings from Martindale-Hubbell and Avvo.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Daphne Edwards - Principal | Active | 27 yrs |
(7)Barefoot Family Law in Raleigh practices litigation, arbitration, and mediation. The firm handles pre-marital agreements, criminal conversation claims, civil no-contact orders, and equitable distribution disputes. Barefoot Family Law has received recognition from Best Lawyers, US News Media Group, and AV Ratings from Martindale-Hubbell.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Mariana Godwin - Senior Associate | Active | 16 yrs |
| David Barefoot - Principal | Active | 30 yrs |
(7)Vitale Family Law has 15 years of experience in legal representation and counsel for issues related to family law, including divorce, child custody disputes, property division, and alimony in Raleigh. The firm practices the enforcement of court orders, parent coordination, and collaborative law. Vitale Family Law holds a Superb Lawyer Rating from Avvo, and it has received recognition from the American Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Kimberly Wallis - Partner | Active | 29 yrs |
| Lorion Vitale - Founding Partner | Active | 29 yrs |
(11)Gailor Hunt Jenkins Davis & Taylor is a divorce and family law firm in Durham that has 22 years of experience. The practice handles premarital and separation agreements, alimony, and Enforcement of Orders. A satisfied client said the members of Gailor Hunt Jenkins Davis & Taylor
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Cathy Hunt - Co-Managing Partner | Active | 28 yrs |
Conner Gwyn Schenck has 17 years of experience in construction law in Raleigh. The firm practices contract dispute litigation, occupational licensing, and environmental regulatory compliance. Conner Gwyn Schenck offers transactional services, including continuation plans, corporate counsel, and divestitures. The firm also has experience serving on dispute review boards, developing ADR programs, and mediation techniques.
Eatmon Law Firm in Wake Forest has seven years of experience practicing family law and mediation. The firm handles premarital agreements, alternative dispute resolution, and absolute divorce cases. Eatmon Law Firm is a Board Certified Family Law Specialist, a member of the North Carolina Bar Association, and BBB accredited.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Christine Eatmon - Owner | Active | 19 yrs |
(3)(2)Triangle Law Group is a boutique firm in Raleigh that practices business and construction law, mediation, and estate planning. The firm handles mechanic’s liens, consumer rights, judgments, and distressed property claims. Triangle Law Group is a member of the Greater Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and appears in publications including the Triangle Business Journal and Attorney at Law Magazine.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Laurie Gengo - Partner | Active | 35 yrs |
(3)(2)Meynardie & Nanney is a trial law firm in Raleigh that has experience in commercial, business, and construction law. The firm handles litigation and employment-related concerns, including breach of contract disputes, misrepresentation claims, and deceptive trade practices. Meynardie & Nanney negotiates AIA and ConsensusDocs contracts, Mechanic’s liens, and executor negligence cases. The firm is a member of the Construction Law Section of the North Carolina Bar Association and is AV Peer Review Rated by Martindale-Hubbell.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Meynardie - Partner | Active | 30 yrs |
The Law Offices of Richard S. Hunter, Jr is a personal injury law firm in Raleigh that handles motor vehicle collisions, boating and tractor trailer accidents, and animal attacks. The firm practices mediation and arbitration, and resolves wrongful death claims involving medical malpractice and premises liability. Attorney Richard S. Hunter, Jr is a member of the Bar Register of Preeminent Lawyers, the North Carolina Advocates for Justice, and the American Board of Trial Advocates.
| Attorney Name | Bar Status | Experience |
|---|---|---|
| Richard Hunter - Principal | Active | 44 yrs |
McNeil Law Firm in Raleigh offers legal representation and counsel for issues relating to family law, including divorce, child custody, and alienation of affection. McNeil Law Firm also handles DWI defense and traffic offenses, and it is a member of the North Carolina Dispute Resolution Commission and a Certified Mediator for Family Financial Settlement.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
