Preparing for a mediation

Once you have found your mediator, the process begins.  There are pre-mediation conferences, documents to be reviewed and each side should submit documents to their mediator giving up-to-date status of the case 48 hours prior to the time of the scheduled mediation.
By the time of the mediation, the mediator will have been given all the facts of the case and be ready to reach a settlement - that day - the lawyer cannot be less than fully prepared. 

LIST

1. Have your client present at the mediation!  Available by phone is unacceptable.
2. Have every document needed to prove your case
3. Talk to your client about the goals of the mediation
4. Know your "ask" and know the bottom line the client is willing to accept to make a deal that day. 
5. Don't expect the mediator to do your job for you - it just slows everybody down.
    



Mediation - A Better Alternative to Litigation

A completely voluntary process that allows parties to sit down and discuss alternatives to solve their differences, mediation allows everyone to better understand each others' point of view while working together toward an agreeable resolution.

Litigation can be a time consuming and costly process, adding up to thousands of dollars before you step foot in a courtroom.  Mediation, on the other hand, allows the parties to come to a binding agreement in a matter of days- not years.

Mediation, Is it right for you?

Any dispute can be mediated, at any point. With mediation, the parties are in control of the process. It allows the parties to resolve their differences more quickly than with litigation, thus allowing the parties to come to a resolution on their own timetable. Mediation is also helpful in cases where the relationship between the parties must be maintained.

Experience

Shannon Yeaton graduated from The John Marshall Law School in 2002 and was admitted to the practice of law that same year. She has earned a certificate for completing the mediation program from Northwestern School of Continuing Education. For the last three years, she has served on the Mandatory Arbitration Panel of McHenry County. She currently holds the elected position of Trustee of Finance for the Village of Port Barrington.