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Abraham Lincoln wisely advised young lawyers: «Discourage litigation. Persuade your neighbors to compromise whenever you can.» His words remain profoundly relevant today. Traditional courtroom litigation has become increasingly expensive, adversarial, emotionally draining, and time-consuming — often turning nominal winners into real losers when legal fees, lost productivity, and personal stress are factored in.
At our firm, we focus on achieving optimal outcomes rather than maximal ones. This means helping clients weigh both the financial aspects of a resolution (money, property, support) and the non-financial costs — such as time away from work or family, ongoing stress, and impacts on health and well-being. We guide clients toward solutions that preserve relationships, minimize conflict, and allow everyone to move forward more quickly and peacefully.
Our attorneys bring extensive experience in all forms of ADR, serving as advocates for clients, as well as neutral mediators, arbitrators, and parenting coordinators. We regularly use these tools in family, business, estate, and civil matters to reach efficient, mutually acceptable resolutions without the need for trial.
What is Alternative Dispute Resolution?
ADR refers to any structured process designed to resolve disputes outside of court. Common forms include:
- Negotiation — The most common and flexible method. Skilled, informed negotiation — whether direct or through counsel — often leads to practical, creative agreements that both sides can live with.
- Mediation — A voluntary process where an impartial mediator helps parties communicate, explore options, and reach their own voluntary agreement. The mediator does not decide the outcome or give legal advice — the power stays with the parties.
- Collaborative Practice — A team-based, non-adversarial approach ideal for divorces and family matters. Parties sign a participation agreement committing to good-faith negotiations, full transparency, and the use of shared experts (financial, mental health, child specialists). Each side has their own specially trained collaborative lawyer, but representation ends if the process breaks down and court becomes necessary. The focus is on interest-based solutions that honor everyone’s priorities. For more on collaborative practice in the region, visit gocollaborative.org.
- Parenting Coordination — Designed for high-conflict custody cases where parents struggle to co-parent effectively. A neutral parenting coordinator (PC) assesses the situation, educates parents on child development and conflict’s impact, facilitates communication, coordinates with schools/doctors/therapists, helps resolve day-to-day disputes, and — when parents cannot agree — makes limited binding decisions on non-major issues. PCs aim to shield children from ongoing parental conflict and promote healthier co-parenting over time.
- Arbitration and Settlement Conferences — Other structured processes where a neutral third party may facilitate or decide outcomes, depending on the agreement.
We believe most disputes are better resolved through ADR than through prolonged court battles. These methods are faster, less expensive, more private, and often produce more durable, satisfactory results — especially when children, ongoing business relationships, or family harmony are involved.
Interested in exploring ADR for your situation? Contact us for a confidential consultation to discuss which process might best serve your needs.