Expertise.com
2024

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Best Mediators & Arbitrators in Portland

Our Recommended Top 8

We did the research for you!

  • Licensing
  • User Reviews
  • Mystery Shopping Calls

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

123

Reviewed

77

Curated

8

Top Picks

Learn about our selection process.

Providers

featured provider = Featured Provider

Website
2612 NE 23rd Ave, Portland, OR 97212

Why choose this provider?

Erica C. Glaser has been working as an arbitrator and mediator for the past eight years and as an attorney in Portland for 23 years. Glaser has represented clients in many arbitration hearings. She is a professional neutral who serves in UM and UIM arbitration panels. As a proud member of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals, she has hundreds of successful mediations under her name. Erica Glaser graduated from The University of Oregon Law School.

Website
Portland, OR 97201

Why choose this provider?

Ron Rhodes Mediation & Arbitration is a Portland company that can "open the door to the right solution" through clear communication. Ron Rhodes has 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer, and in 2007 focused his practice exclusively on mediation and arbitration. A full-day mediation costs $3,600 plus $350 per hour for any excess hours. A half-day mediation is $1,900 plus $350 per hour for any excess hours. Preparation work is included in these fees.

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Lake Oswego, OR 97035

Why choose this provider?

Forrest Collins, PC is a Lake Oswego "attorney-mediator who is dedicated to resolving" clients' cases "outside of court in a respectful, cost-effective way." Primary practice areas are divorce mediation, uncontested divorce, and collaborative law. Attorney Collins has received a Superb rating of 10 on Avvo and a Clients' Choice Award for mediation in 2015.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Forrest Collins - Principal18 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (7)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Portland, OR 97204

Why choose this provider?

Bennett Hartman Morris & Kaplan is a Portland law firm that has been "working hard for hard-working people since 1906." The firm features a "collaborative team of attorneys, united by a shared belief in justice." Practice areas include labor law, employment law, social security disability law, workers' compensation, family law, and estate planning. The company also provides mediation and arbitration services to resolve disputes out of court.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Hank Kaplan - Principal41 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
3.5
Yelp
3.5 / 5 (6)

Website
Beaverton, OR 97006

Why choose this provider?

Alexander Law is a Beaverton firm offering family mediation and collaborative law services. The company prides itself on "guiding families through gentle divorces or separations out of court" and also handles cases of child custody and support, paternity, and asset and liability distribution. Mediation is available in person and via web conference. The firm offers competitive hourly rates and accepts payment plans and credit cards.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Tonya Alexander - Principal23 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
Facebook
5.0 / 5 (1)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Clackamas, OR 97015

Why choose this provider?

Heinson & DeDobbelaere is a "little firm" with a "big name" in Clackamas. Practice areas include business law, injury and claims, wills and probate law, and arbitration and mediation. The firm's mediation services are described in client testimonials as helpful and as opening up conversations between parties.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Timothy Heinson - Partner37 yrs
Lori DeDobbelaere - Partner30 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (2)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Portland, OR 97204

Why choose this provider?

Paikea Mediation is a Portland company offering mediation, coaching, training, and group facilitation services. The company's divorce mediator understands mediation as a "mindful process by which people can end their marriage or committed relationship" and as a "self-directed, voluntary process" where the mediator serves as a neutral third party to facilitate difficult conversations.

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
5.0
Google
5.0 / 5 (18)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (3)
FindLaw
5.0 / 5 (3)

Professionalism:

We hire mystery shoppers to call our providers anonymously and evaluate them. Providers who respond quickly, answer questions thoroughly, and communicate politely score higher.
5.0
Responsiveness
Friendliness
Helpfulness
Detail

Website
Portland, OR 97204

Why choose this provider?

Dwyer Mediation & Law in Portland "provides the highest quality conflict resolution and legal services to families and individuals." Attorney J. Michael Dwyer was voted 2017's "Lawyer of the Year" in family law mediation in the Portland area by The Best Lawyers in America. He is a certified mediator who provides a "safe and sane place to discuss difficult issues in a civil, respectful, and adult-like manner." Mediation services are $350 per hour.

Attorney Information

Attorney NamesExperience
Michael Dwyer - Principal35 yrs

Reputation:

We scour the internet for reviews from well-known resources. Each provider is evaluated based on the quality and quantity of their reviews, their presence on multiple review sites, and their average minimum rating.
4.8
Google
4.7 / 5 (31)
Avvo
5.0 / 5 (18)
Yelp
5.0 / 5 (1)

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 withExpertise.com and must meet similar selection criteria as other lawyers. All cases are different. Prior results do not guarantee a similar outcome.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • 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.