Mediation Services

Find collaborative and efficient solutions for your disputes through our expert mediation processes.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is a confidential and voluntary process where a neutral, impartial third party, the mediator, facilitates communication and negotiation between disputing parties. Unlike a judge or arbitrator, the mediator does not make decisions or impose solutions, but rather guides the parties to explore their interests, identify options, and reach a mutually acceptable agreement. It is a powerful and flexible alternative to traditional litigation, designed to preserve relationships and empower parties.

Mediation is the main component of Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc.’s (FADR) dispute resolution practice. Our team of neutrals brings to every matter insight from their many years as litigators, trial counsel, and extensive mediation involvement. We have developed through experience an array of approaches to resolving disputes and we are dedicated to crafting creative solutions to help each client cross tumultuous waters and arrive at resolution.

Key Principles of Mediation

Neutrality: The mediator is impartial and has no interest in the final outcome, ensuring a fair process.

Confidentiality: All discussions and documents presented in mediation are private and cannot be used in future legal proceedings, with legal exceptions.

Voluntariness: Parties participate of their own free will and can withdraw from the process at any time. The final agreement is also voluntary.

Empowerment: Mediation allows parties to maintain control over the decision, rather than ceding it to a third party. Flexibility: The process can be adapted to the specific needs of the dispute and the parties.

The Mediation Process

Our mediation process is structured for clarity and effectiveness. Generally, our mediators speak with all counsel prior to mediation to discuss the case and potentially problematic issues to lay the groundwork for resolution. The mediation itself typically begins with an opening session, followed by private caucuses where the mediator meets with each party separately. The goal is to identify common ground and guide the parties toward a written settlement agreement.

Benefits of Choosing Mediation

Opting for mediation offers numerous advantages over traditional litigation, especially for legal professionals, businesses, and insurers seeking efficiency and control.

Cost Reduction

Mediation is typically significantly less expensive than taking a case to trial, saving legal fees and court costs.

Faster Resolution

Agreements can be reached in weeks or months, rather than the years a court process can take.

Privacy and Confidentiality

Unlike public courts, mediation keeps the details of your dispute and agreement private.

Control Over Outcome

Parties have the final say over the agreement, leading to more creative and lasting solutions.

Relationship Preservation

The collaborative approach helps maintain or repair important business or personal relationships.

Higher Compliance

Agreements reached through mediation often have a higher compliance rate, as they are created by the parties themselves.

Types of Mediation We Offer

Our Florida Supreme Court Certified Mediators are experienced in a wide range of disputes. Select a category to learn more about how we can help you.

Personal Injury

Personal injury mediation includes a wide range of disputes that arise when a person suffers physical, emotional, or psychological harm as the result of another party’s negligence, recklessness, or intentional misconduct. These claims seek to recover compensation for losses such as medical expenses, lost income, pain and suffering, and other damage related to the injury. They can stem from a wide range of incidents, including motor vehicle accidents, slip-and-fall incidents, defective products, medical malpractice, workplace accidents, and other situations where someone is legally responsible for causing harm.

Personal injury cases can be stressful, expensive, and time-consuming. Mediation offers a better path forward—one that gives you control over the outcome instead of leaving it in the hands of a judge or jury.

At Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc., we help injured individuals, insurers, and defense counsel find fair, practical solutions through a private and respectful process. Mediation can:

Save Time and Money: Resolve your case in weeks or months instead of years, while avoiding the excessive costs of trial.
Reduce Risk: Eliminate the uncertainty of a courtroom verdict by reaching an agreement you control.
Protect Privacy: Keep sensitive information and settlement terms confidential.
Allow for Creative Solutions: Find agreements that work for everyone, not just what the court can order.
Encourage Understanding: Provide a safe space to share your concerns, hear the other side, and—when appropriate—receive acknowledgment or an apology.

Whether your claim involves an auto accident, slip-and-fall, medical malpractice, or another type of injury, mediation can help you move forward sooner, with less stress and greater certainty. Our conflict resolution professionals are Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediators, with extensive experience in personal injury mediation. Before dedicating themselves to neutral work, our mediators litigated and tried a broad spectrum of personal injury cases, providing them with invaluable insight and practical knowledge they bring to every mediation.

Commercial Mediation

Commercial mediation encompasses a wide range of disputes that elude a single, comprehensive definition. The parties involved may include individuals, business owners, banks, contractors, insurance companies, trust companies, real estate owners, governmental entities, or any combination thereof. Matters typically addressed in a commercial mediation span from first-party insurance claims, contractual disputes, and business torts to eminent domain, mortgage foreclosures, and real property boundary disputes. These cases are often complex, costly, and time-consuming to litigate. By contrast, commercial mediation can save parties thousands—if not hundreds of thousands—of dollars in legal fees and months or even years of litigation, enabling them to reach resolution quickly, efficiently, and cost-effectively.

Most clients seek the best resolution to their problem—not the best trial. At Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc., our mediators combine training and extensive experience with a problem-solving approach designed to guide parties toward mutually beneficial outcomes. We are committed to developing creative solutions in commercial mediation matters, enabling parties to resolve their disputes quickly, amicably, and with finality.

Construction Mediation

For decades, Florida has been a hub of construction and development. With that growth has come an inevitable byproduct—disputes among owners, developers, design professionals, and contractors, arising in both prosperous and challenging economic times. Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc., offers a team of seasoned dispute resolution professionals experienced in handling both construction mediation and construction arbitration.

Construction mediation can involve a broad spectrum of disputes—ranging from residential construction or repair projects to multi-million-dollar commercial or governmental developments. The participants often extend well beyond owners and contractors, frequently including architects, engineers, multiple subcontractors, insurance carriers, and sureties. Because questions regarding the existence and priority of insurance coverage often arise, it is not unusual for insurers to engage coverage counsel to participate in the process. Given the number of stakeholders and the complexity of insurance issues, a single construction mediation frequently functions as many smaller mediations rolled into one.

Recognizing that most clients seek to maximize gains while minimizing both losses and risk, construction mediation offers a cost-effective alternative for resolving disputes that are often among the most expensive to litigate. Our commitment is to develop creative, practical, and economically sound solutions that help parties achieve their financial objectives in construction mediation matters.

Our conflict resolution professionals are Florida Supreme Court Certified Circuit Civil Mediators, many with extensive experience in construction mediation. Before dedicating themselves to neutral work, a number of our mediators practiced extensively in construction litigation, providing them with invaluable insight and practical knowledge they bring to every construction mediation.

Family & Divorce Mediation

Navigating family and divorce disputes requires a sensitive and compassionate approach. Our mediators help families resolve issues related to divorce, child custody, alimony, child support, and property division in a constructive and respectful manner. Mediation provides a less adversarial environment than court, promoting better co-parenting relationships and customized solutions that meet the unique needs of your family, minimizing emotional and financial impact.

Divorce agreements
Parenting plans and child custody
Child support and alimony
Property and debt division

Real Estate Mediation

From landlord-tenant issues and property line disputes to construction defects, purchase agreement breaches, and homeowners association (HOA) conflicts, our real estate mediation services provide a swift and effective path to resolution. We help parties find common ground on complex property matters, avoiding lengthy and costly court battles. Our mediators are skilled in handling diverse real estate conflicts, efficiently protecting your investments and interests.

Landlord-tenant disputes
Property purchase and sale conflicts
Homeowners Association (HOA) issues
Construction and defect disputes

Malpractice Mediation

Professional malpractice cases often involve complex legal and factual issues that carry significant litigation risk for all parties. They can also be highly emotional, stemming from the close relationship between client and professional and the professional’s interest in protecting their reputation.

In a professional malpractice case, the defendant may be a doctor, dentist, lawyer, accountant, architect, engineer, or any other professional accused of failing to meet a reasonable standard of care. These cases are often highly technical, emotionally charged, and can take years to resolve—posing significant risk to both sides. Malpractice mediation offers a unique forum for the parties to openly share their concerns and engage in a candid assessment of the case from both perspectives. While financial considerations may guide a resolution, mediation provides something the court system cannot: the opportunity for direct communication—whether to clarify misunderstandings or even to offer an apology—within the confidential and privileged setting of the mediation process.

The mediators at Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc., are experienced and equipped to navigate both the legal intricacies and the sensitive dynamics that define malpractice mediation.

Multi-Party & Complex Case Mediation

Specialized handling of complex cases involving multiple stakeholders, ensuring all voices are heard and a comprehensive solution is reached. These mediations often involve intricate legal frameworks, numerous plaintiffs or defendants, and significant financial implications. Our mediators excel at managing the dynamics of large groups and facilitating consensus among diverse interests to achieve a global settlement, even in the situations most challenging situations.

Class action lawsuits
Environmental disputes
Complex tort cases
Large-scale construction disputes

Virtual/Online Mediation

Leveraging modern technology like Zoom and other secure platforms, we provide convenient and effective mediation services regardless of geographic location. This option offers flexibility, reduces travel time and costs, and allows parties to participate from the comfort of their own offices or homes. Virtual mediation maintains the confidentiality and effectiveness of in-person sessions while enhancing accessibility, making dispute resolution more accessible than ever.

Access from anywhere
Savings on travel time and costs
Flexible scheduling
Secure and confidential platforms

Our Mediation Process

While every mediation is unique, our process follows a clear structure to maximize the chances of a successful agreement.

Preparation & Opening

Parties and their attorneys (if any) meet with the mediator. The mediator explains the process, sets ground rules, and fosters a respectful environment.

Case Presentation

Each party has the opportunity to present their perspective of the dispute without interruption, outlining facts, emotions, and interests.

Negotiation & Caucuses

The mediator facilitates negotiation, often meeting with parties separately (caucuses) to explore offers, underlying interests, and settlement options in a confidential setting.

Agreement & Closing

If an agreement is reached, the mediator helps draft a settlement agreement. Parties review it with their attorneys and sign it, making it a legally binding document.

Online Calendar Scheduling

Frequently Asked Questions About Mediation

Is mediation right for my case?

Mediation is suitable for almost any type of dispute, provided the parties are willing to negotiate in good faith. It is especially effective in cases where parties wish to maintain control over the outcome, preserve a relationship, or seek a quick and private resolution.

Do I need an attorney for mediation?

While not mandatory, it is highly recommended that each party have independent legal counsel during the mediation process. Your attorney can help you understand your rights, evaluate settlement offers, and ensure any agreement is fair and legally sound.

What if we don’t reach an agreement in mediation?

If a full agreement is not reached, parties may still reach partial agreements that narrow the number of issues in dispute. If no agreement is reached, parties are free to pursue other avenues of resolution, such as litigation or arbitration, and mediation discussions remain confidential.

How long does a mediation session last?

The duration of a mediation session can vary considerably depending on the complexity of the dispute and the parties’ willingness to reach an agreement. Half-day mediations typically last 4 hours, while full-day mediations can extend up to 8 hours or more, sometimes requiring multiple sessions. Our goal is to work efficiently to reach a resolution without unnecessary haste.

What types of disputes can be resolved through mediation?

Mediation is extremely versatile and is used to resolve a wide range of disputes, including commercial, family (divorce, custody), real estate, employment, insurance, construction, and multi-party conflicts. As long as the parties are willing to participate in good faith, mediation can be an effective path for almost any disagreement.

Is the agreement reached in mediation binding?

An agreement reached in mediation is legally binding once all parties sign it. It is crucial for parties to fully understand the terms before signing, and independent legal review is recommended. Once signed, the agreement has the force of a contract and can be enforced by a court if any party breaches its terms.

Rates & Policies

Transparency is a cornerstone of our practice. This section provides a clear and straightforward overview of our fee structure and operational policies. We believe in providing upfront information to help you make informed decisions without any surprises. For specific inquiries or complex cases, please do not hesitate to contact us directly.

Session Length

Two Hours (Minimum)
Half-Day (4 hours)
Full-Day (8 hours)

Two party mediations

$230 per hour, per party ($460 total per hour)

Additional Parties

3 Party Mediations: $180 per hour per party ($540 total per hour)
4 or More Parties: $165 per hour per party ($660 and up per hour)

There are no additional administrative fees. A minimum of two (2) hours will be charged for your mediation/arbitration. However, if the parties expressly request that we set aside 4 hours or more, then a minimum of four (4) hours will be charged.

If an “in-person” mediation is required, actual travel time for mediations physically taking place in locations other than The City of Miami, Coral Gables, and Dadeland, will be billed at the reduced hourly rate of $400.00 per hour and split equally among the parties. Any charges incurred to reserve conference room space will be passed on to the parties equally.

Generally, we do not charge to review correspondence sent in advance of mediation. However, if you choose to submit materials in excess of ten pages for our review in preparation for mediation, we reserve the right to charge you for actual time spent reviewing such materials at $460.00 per hour.

Billing and Payment Terms

LAW FIRMS: We will send an invoice to counsel by email shortly after the mediation or arbitration. Counsel is responsible for payment. Payment is expected and appreciated no later than 7 days after we send the invoice. We accept checks and all major credit cards.

PRO SE PARTIES: A two-hour deposit is required upon scheduling, with the remaining balance due immediately after the mediation

Cancellation Policy/Charges

WHETHER YOUR MEDIATION/ARBITRATION IS VOLUNTARY OR COURT ORDERED, MEDIATIONS/ARBITRATIONS CAN ONLY BE CANCELED, MODIFIED OR RESCHEDULED IF ALL PARTICIPANTS AGREE OR THE COURT SO ORDERS.

Florida Alternative Dispute Resolution, Inc., accepts engagements to the exclusion of scheduling other work during the reserved time. To ensure fairness and efficiency, the following policies apply to all scheduled mediations:

All Cancellations or Rescheduling Requests must be submitted via email to info@FloADR.com.

Half-Day Cancellations (Less than 5 calendar days notice): 3-hour fee applies
Full-Day Cancellations (Less than 5 calendar days notice): 6-hour fee applies

Rescheduling requests received 5 or more calendar days in advance may be accommodated without penalty.

Cancellation / Reschedule fees may only be waived if the reserved time slot is re- booked with another mediation.
Unless otherwise agreed, all parties and their attorneys share equal responsibility for any cancellation fees incurred.

To further clarify, to avoid unnecessary cancellation charges: Monday mediations must be cancelled by the end of the preceding Tuesday; Tuesday mediations must be cancelled by the end of the preceding Wednesday; Wednesday mediations must be cancelled by the end of the preceding Thursday; Thursday mediations must be cancelled by the end of the preceding Friday; and, Friday mediations must be cancelled by the end of the preceding Monday.

Special Needs

If any of the participants have special safety or health concerns, or other special needs, please advise our office prior to the date of mediation/arbitration so that we have an opportunity to accommodate the needs of all concerned.

Ready to Find a Resolution?

Schedule Your Mediation