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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Scott Meyer is a Portland mediator and arbitrator with over 30 years of experience as a trial lawyer practicing civil litigation. Attorney Meyer has been listed in Oregon Super Lawyers in 2013 and 2014 and as a Top Attorney in Oregon in Portland Monthly in 2014. He became a certified mediator over 20 years ago and uses a "flexible, adaptive approach" to achieve resolutions efficiently. Mediation and arbitration services are $275 per hour for all work conducted before, during, and after the actual mediation. There is a $500 minimum fee and the final bill is typically divided equally between the parties.
Stoll Berne is a Portland law firm "deeply rooted in the great Northwest and nationally recognized for outstanding work for more than 35 years." The firm features an "environment of personal integrity and professional excellence" and believes in social responsibility. Areas of practice include antitrust litigation, internal investigations, intellectual property litigation, and securities compliance and defense. In a client testimonial, the firm's team is described as reaching a "complete achievement" of client objectives during arbitration.
A: Mediation is a voluntary process, and both parties must put in the work for it to succeed. If either party stops working toward a compromise, the mediation can fail. And, it can also fail if the parties reach a point that they simply can't agree. In such cases, you might choose another course of action, such as arbitration or a court trial.
A: Divorce mediation enables two parties to work together to come to decisions about their divorce with the guidance of a third-party mediator. The mediator may help to work through child custody, child support, property division, and other divorce matters. You'll need to pay the mediator for their services, which may be a cost you split. Be prepared to make a civil and calm case for your side of issues, but know that mediation is about coming to a compromise that works for both parties.
A: 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.
