Mediation is an alternative dispute method where a neutral third party facilitator assists parties in reaching an agreement. The process allows for self-determination because the parties have control over the final agreement, rather than a resolution imposed by a judge or jury. Also, mediation involves a confidential process. Although there are certain statutory exceptions, what happens during mediation, stays in mediation. This is to allow parties to speak freely without the concern that something would be held against them in negotiations. There is a greater likelihood that people can reach an agreement if they speak freely.
On the other hand, binding and non-binding arbitration are proceedings, less formal than a jury trial, where both sides present their evidence to a neutral arbitrator, or an arbitration panel, who then decides the issues at hand in the case. These proceedings can be court-ordered or chosen voluntarily by the parties. Both binding and non-binding arbitration can be the most cost-effective approach to a resolution for both parties versus engaging in court litigation.
Hiring a neutral party to resolve the dispute is a great way of ridding the proceedings of biases and reaching a point where both parties can explore various options, and are able to live with the outcome. When you have David W. Stillson Esq. handling the process, the key advantage is that you have an astute, experienced, knowledgeable and highly-talented attorney who is determined to see a successful outcome. David is a licensed Circuit Civil Court Mediator by the Florida Supreme Court and also an Arbitrator qualified by the Florida Supreme Court. He estimates that he has successfully resolved approximately 4500 to 5500 cases in both the private and government sector. Also, David takes pride in donating a percentage of all revenue that he receives from his mediations and arbitrations to non-profit organizations/charities. His favorite non-profit organizations that he frequently donates to on a rotating basis are 1) The Humane Society of Broward County (Provides animal welfare), 2) Saving Sage Animal Rescue Foundation (Provides animal welfare), 3) The Tunnel to Towers Foundation (Provides mortgage-free homes to fallen first responder and Gold Star families with young children, and builds free custom-designed smart homes for catastrophically injured veterans and first responders), 4) Gilda’s Club of South Florida (Provides free services to cancer patients and their families/friends to assist with the physical, psychological, and emotional challenges of dealing with cancer), and 5) American Red Cross (Provides disaster relief). Finally, David has experience in handling the following cases: workers’ compensation, personal injury, medical malpractice, products liability, insurance disputes, employment law, foreclosure and real estate law, student loan litigation, commercial litigation, consumer law, breach of contracts and other general civil litigation.
TO SCHEDULE – Please email us at david@stillsonlaw.com (preferred) or call us at 305-798-4111 if you wish to use David as your Mediator or Arbitrator. We will then respond with David’s availability as soon as we are able (usually within an hour), and then we’ll coordinate with you to set up your Mediation or Arbitration. I am looking forward to being your Mediator/Arbitrator!
FEES – Hourly Rate: $425 per hour with a 2-hour minimum for mediations reserved for a half day (4-hour minimum for mediations reserved for a whole day). Mediation conferences cancelled or rescheduled 7 business days or less prior to the conference will be charged a 1 hour cancellation fee, 2 hours if cancelled the day of the mediation. If a full day mediation conference is cancelled or rescheduled 7 business days or less prior to the conference, then a 4 hour cancellation fee will be assessed.
