Next time you think your client may benefit from a break in the cost, stress and time burdens of litigation – try non-binding mediation. Experienced litigators know that over 95% of jury cases settle before verdict. Today, more than ever, the escalating cost of litigation and the appellate process, coupled with the increasing uncertainty of jury results, make mediation an attractive alternative where both parties can obtain a favorable result.

Arbitrating your case and then having to start all over again because the other side pays a small fee and goes to Court to reject the award can be frustrating and costly. Try binding arbitration. You can quickly schedule and resolve the case with finality. You prepare the contract to arbitrate under your own agreed-upon terms. Often the parties have a “high-low” agreement which is not disclosed to the arbitrator, but which takes away the risk inherent with today’s jury trials.

I trained and was certified as a Court mediator in 1996 when the Illinois Supreme Court first mandated that all circuits establish a court sanctioned program for civil (excluding family law) cases. I now endevour to provide competent civil mediation at a fair cost. This isn’t my “retirement,” or something I do to “stay a little active.” It’s what I do full time and with great success. I bring more than 35 years of litigation experience and now, 24 years of mediation experience to the table. I am proud to now be a part of Resolute Systems, LLC, an ADR Consulting Firm fully staffed to handle your mediation and arbitration needs.

In 30 plus years as a litigator, I tried dozens of jury cases in six Illinois counties and the Federal Courts. Now a full time neutral, I have mediated more than 2,500 cases in Cook, Lake, McHenry, Boone and Winnebago counties and throughout Northern Illinois. I am a Fellow and founding Board Member (serving as president for seven years) of the International Academy of Dispute Resolution, ex officio chair the ADR Section Council of the ISBA and chaired the committee which established Court Mediation rules in Lake & McHenry Counties in 1996. I have served as a Court or private Arbitrator in hundreds of cases. In addition to being a mediator, I train Law students in mediation throughout the world and serve as a mediator trainer for one of the largest ADR services in the UK. The Small Claims Mediation Program which Hon. Judge Michael Caldwell and I created in 2001 has been used as a model Court program in Illinois and elsewhere.