Introduction
For private parties, the court system is seen by many as presenting a less than desirable method for resolution of most legal disputes. And as time progresses, our conventional approach to the use of the legal system is undergoing a wholesale makeover where the best methods of obtaining efficient and lasting resolution of disputes are now routinely accomplished in the context of mediation, arbitration, or a combination of the two. This phenomenon demonstrates that we are moving towards a more intelligent and predictable system of justice – and one that is no longer endlessly shackled to the archaic procedures of civil litigation, often dictated by rules that differ from county to county, with a minefield of state and local deadlines and time traps, opportunity for gamesmanship in the discovery and pretrial motion phases, disruption and delay of scheduling, and, often important decisions are left to fact finders who may not have sufficient familiarity with the subject matter of the issues at hand, leading to lack of trust and confidence in the process. Of course, there are some cases that are best presented to a jury for decision, but rare is the commercial case that will not be better served and less costly for both sides, by submission to some form of ADR. Most litigators now approach their cases with a view toward early resolution after perhaps setting the matter up with a traditional civil lawsuit, initiating some discovery requests to the opposing party, and perhaps testing the merits of the case with a few procedural challenges. Counsel then look to obtain the actual final resolution for their clients by mediation or arbitration. That’s where I come in…
I look forward to being of service to counsel and their clients.
- JS
About ADR Services
Mediation
Although trained and educated in the conventional ‘techniques’ of mediation, Jim Simon engages each new assignment as an opportunity to quickly discover the best approach that might be used to facilitate a deal between those particular parties, then adapts his skillset during the process, identifying the material elements of a settlement. Except in unusual or very complex multiparty matters, Jim keeps the process moving relatively swiftly, without long absences from anyone’s caucus room. Parties and counsel are heard. Positions are discussed. Settlement emerges. Disputes resolved. His preference is to bring the parties within what he determines from his private caucus sessions with each side, is the ‘zone of potential settlement.’ After that comes the close and whatever documentation is needed to make it stick. Jim manages his mediation services in accordance with the Model Standards of Conduct for Mediators and pertinent provisions of law regarding the mediation in the jurisdiction covering the parties’ dispute. All disclosures required by law and good ethical practice are made, and transparency of all relationships is valued.
Arbitration
Handled properly and with the degree of detail and adherence to procedural requirements necessary to withstand appeal, arbitration can resolve a disputed matter when the parties want a reasoned decision on the merits, faster and with more understanding and certainty than other ADR methods or a contested court trial. Many neutrals shy away from conducting arbitrations because the process requires a thorough understanding of the rules of engagement and more importantly, how to craft a bulletproof award, which can often be a challenge. Jim is experienced in both and will issue a timely, informative, and reasoned award ready for conversion to a superior court judgment, if necessary, under the rules by which the parties choose to conduct the arbitration. If the parties’ relationship did not contemplate specific arbitration rules, Jim assists in identifying a neutral set of rules for the parties’ use.
In certain cases, Jim is a proponent of the process known as “med-arb”, where a special agreement is reached allowing the parties to combine the best methods of both mediation and arbitration.