Of Course! Mediation is all about the parties having a choice and the power they need to create their own resolutions.
There are some disputes that involve complex issues, such as patents or engineering, and you might have greater confidence in a mediator who knows the lingo. In ethnic or religious conflicts, the parties might feel more comfortable with someone who looks like them or shares their core beliefs.
Yet don’t underestimate the power of a true outsider. Have you ever explained a work problem to your partner or friend only to have him ask the question that leads to a breakthrough answer? That’s what mediators are trained to do, regardless of their industry experience.
Remember that you and the party you’re in the dispute with need to agree on the mediator.
Would you like to see if Nance might be the mediator for your dispute? Tell me more
NOTE: This post is a general overview of the mediator selection process. It is not legal advice, and there is certainly no guarantee that any of the actions detailed above will generate a specific result. Past success is never a guarantee of a future outcome. If you require legal information or advice applied to your unique situation, please make an appointment to discuss it with an attorney. Don’t rely solely on what you read on the Internet.
Nance L. Schick, Esq. is a New York City attorney and mediator who focuses on keeping people out of court and building their conflict resolution skills, especially in business and employment disputes. Her holistic, integrative approach to conflict resolution draws from her experience as a crime victim, human resources supervisor, minor league sports agent, and United Nations representative. She is a 2001 graduate of the State University of New York Buffalo Law School trained in Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), and International Center for Ethno-Religious Mediation (ICERM). She is also creator of the Third Ear Conflict Resolution process, author of DIY Conflict Resolution: Seven Choices and Five Actions of a Master, and an award-winning entrepreneur, who has been acknowledged by the New York Economic Development Corporation/B-Labs (Finalist, Best for NYC 2015 & 2016), U.S. Chamber of Commerce (2015 Blue Ribbon Small Business), Enterprising Women Magazine (Honorable Mention, 2014 Woman of the Year awards), and Urban Rebound NY/Count Me In (Finalist, 2013 Pitch Competition).