Phone: 630.549.6646
Email: Steve@StevenIvy.com
Voluntary, Confidential & Cost-Efective Conflict Resolution
Mediation Practice
About Mediation
Mediation has been growing in popularity as the means for settling legal matters, without the involvement of the court system. Similarly to the other available ADR methods, mediation is a voluntary process controlled by a neutral third party, the mediator. The key behind this method, is the parties willingness to reach an amicable solution. Therefore, the mediator's main function is to establishment of communication between the opposing parties in order to facilitate a resolution to the problem at hand.
Comprehensive Mediation Practice
STEVEN IVY P.C. provides a comprehensive mediation practice. We counsel clients about the benefits and the pitfalls of the mediation method. We help our clients prepare for the mediation proceedings, and guide them through the actual process. STEVEN IVY can assist clients during the mediation, or function as a third party neutral mediator. The firm specializes in mediation proceedings involving business and real estate disputes, or conflicts intertwined with complex engineering issues.
Mediation Process
Typically, the mediation process begins with some introductory remarks, followed by statement of the problem by the parties, with leads to information gathering and ultimately to problem identification. Next, the mediator divides the parties into separate groups. The mediator communicates between the groups the information that narrows the differences in the dispute. Unlike lawsuits, or some other types of ADR, the mediator does not decide how the dispute is to be resolved. The parties do. It is a cooperative process in which the parties work together toward a mutually beneficial resolution of their common problem.
Mediation Applications
The mediation process could be used to solve the most common social disputes, or very complex cases involving various scientific and engineering fields. The mediation process is frequently used to settle family disputes (divorce, property, custody, visitation, support issues), land disputes (property transfers, boundaries, easements), employment disputes (job termination, job contracts), neighborhood deputes (homeowners association issues).
Mediation's Advantages & Disadvantages
Mediation is not for everyone. Mediation should not be used in cases where the conflicting parties seek to establish a public legal precedent, or where the parties exhibit extremely uncooperative behavior. However, mediation provides many advantages. Mediation often leads to better communication between the parties and lasting resolutions. Normally, mediation gives the parties a chance to express their concerns in a voluntary, confidential process while working towards a resolution. It is particularly effective when parties have a continuing relationship, and where the negotiation proceeding requires a greater level of flexibility.
Personal Service
Alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation, is growing in popularity as the means for settling otherwise expensive legal matters. STEVEN IVY P.C. provides mediation solutions to individuals, small businesses, not-for-profit entities and corporations. We work closely with our clients to ensure that their interests are properly protected. The firm's counsel is available in several Illinois counties, including: Cook County, Lake County, DuPage County, Kane County, DeKalb County, Will County, McHenry County and Kendall County. Our clients can meet with us in eight Illinois locations, including: Chicago, Lisle, Northbrook, Oak Brook, Rosemont, Saint Charles, Schaumburg, and Warrenville.