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Associates in Dispute Resolution in Kansas is a "multi-disciplinary leader in the field of dispute resolution services." The company's goal is to "find creative solutions to resolve difficult problems at a reasonable cost." Mediation services are fully confidential, performed by an experienced mediator, "vastly less expensive" than alternative legal options, and they often achieve better results than civil trial processes.
Eischens Mediation Services in North Kansas City "provides fair, confidential, and efficient mediation services in most types of civil cases nationwide." The firm's founder and lead attorney Joseph K. Eischens has over 20 years of experience and brings a "rigorous energy and relentless commitment to his mediation practice."
Fisher Patterson Sayler & Smith in Kansas City is "one of the most well-established and respected defense firms in northeast Kansas." The firm was established in 1909 and has served clients such as the American Family Insurance Group, the City of Wichita, and Travelers Insurance Company. The firm's lawyers have been featured in the Best Lawyers Guide and rated by Super Lawyers in 2015.
Foland, Wickens, Eisfelder, Roper & Hofer is a Kansas City law firm featuring a team of trial lawyers who represent "individuals, businesses, and insurance companies in complex litigation in state and federal courts." The firm's lawyers are members of the American College of Trial Lawyers, the Missouri Organization of Defense Lawyers, and other professional organizations. Mediation services can be booked directly on the firm's website.
Hugh F. O'Donnell III is a Kansas City divorce lawyer practicing collaborative law, divorce litigation, family mediation, and civil mediation. He has over 30 years of experience and provides a "safe, respectful space" to negotiate clients' concerns. Mediation services promise to reduce the cost and time that would otherwise be involved in litigation, reduce the emotional stress and uncertainty of a trial, address each family's unique needs, and allow spouses to reach an agreement that is satisfactory for both parties.
The Law Offices of Les D. Wight in Independence is a small firm offering "efficient and personalized attention, while also providing the high-quality representation needed when facing issues relating" to clients' families and futures. Les D. Wight has over 35 years of experience handling cases of family law, estate planning, bankruptcy, business law, and criminal law. He is also a "trusted, intelligent, and professional mediator" who remains neutral, does not force either party into an agreement, and works to ensure a positive outcome for all involved parties in a mediation.
Seigfreid Bingham in Kansas City has a "distinguished history in helping clients succeed in business and litigation using a blend of broad expertise, knowledgeable and enthusiastic lawyers" and responsive service. The firm was founded in 1974 and now features a team of 40 attorneys. Practice areas include employment law, mergers and acquisitions, real estate and development law, and litigation.
Terri Clinton Dichiser, LCPC has "provided exceptional service to clients since 1991" in Overland Park. She offers mediation services to corporate, collegiate, civic, and governmental organizations. Terri is a certified Whole Health Medicine Institute "brain-wise" therapist and uses neuropsychology and neuroscience in her mediations. Past clients include the Sprint Corporation and the University of Missouri-Columbia.
The Koranda Law Firm is a Kansas City "domestic relations firm" offering "experienced, compassionate, and efficient representation." The company focuses on family law issues and provides domestic mediation services. Divorce mediation is a "positive alternative" to litigation and can offer "sound resolutions for families." Alicia E. Koranda is the company's founding member and attorney, with experience handling divorces, legal separations, paternity actions, prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, and adoptions.
The Popham Law Firm was established in 1918 and features a team of personal injury and employment attorneys in Kansas City. Practice areas include injury law, products liability, nursing home negligence, and medical malpractice. Mediation services are also offered to "lawyers in Kansas and Missouri for a variety of claims" to ensure that the best results are achieved for clients.
Troppito Miller Griffin in Kansas City has "successfully represented the construction industry with a range of legal issues for more than a decade." The firm specializes in construction litigation and represents clients such as contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, and others in the construction industry. The firm is also a member of The Builders' Association and a Super Lawyers accredited business.
Withers, Brant, Igoe & Mullennix is a law firm in Liberty "committed to providing cost-effective representation reflecting high standards of diligence and integrity." Areas of practice include family law, civil litigation, corporate and business representation, property law and real estate, and mediation services. Past clients include Citizens Bank and Trust, Roberts Auto Group, and William Jewell College.
Wyrsch Hobbs & Mirakian is "one of the premier Kansas City law firms," featuring a team of lawyers that has been recognized in both local and national publications as one of the best in the region. Practice areas include criminal defense, civil litigation, personal injury, and mediation services. The firm's primary goals when conducting business mediation are to protect clients' interests and to "identify a path to alternative dispute resolution that preserves" clients' integrity and profitability.
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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.
