Mediation & Arbitration Services

Since 1994, MWI has provided thousands of commercial clients with mediation and arbitration services designed to resolve business claims quickly, efficiency and economically. MWI’s mediation and arbitration services provide clients with the most effective and seasoned neutrals from across the country and exceptional case-management services at competitive rates.  MWI offers clients two options for resolving disputes in the most efficient and cost-effective manner - mediation and arbitration.

Mediation is a voluntary and confidential process in which an impartial third party, the mediator, assists disputing parties to clarify issues, develop options and work toward a mutually beneficial resolution. It is an opportunity for parties to discuss their issues openly with the reassurance their dispute will remain private and the outcome will remain in their control. The process allows for creativity and flexibility in generating options and leads to solutions tailored to meet parties interests.

Benefits of mediation include:

• High Success Rate: Parties enjoy a 90% success rate with mediation;
  
  
• Convenience: Mediation sessions are scheduled at the parties' convenience at a variety of locations;
  
  
• Self-Determined Outcome: The parties, with the assistance of counsel, will decide the terms of any agreement. The mediator does not have decision-making authority and will never attempt to impose a solution;
  
  
• Cost Effective: Mediation costs a fraction of what it costs to litigate or prolong the problem;
  
  
• Saves Time: Mediation sessions can be scheduled quickly (depending on the parties' and mediators' schedule). Length of a session can take as little or as much time as the parties need;
  
  
• Preservation of Relationships: Mediation improves communication and understanding between parties while strengthening personal and business relationships or ending the relationship in an amicable way.

Arbitration

Arbitration is a binding process in which the arbitrator selected by the parties, renders an award.  Arbitration awards are generally considered final and not subject to appeal. Arbitration proceeds under mutually agreed upon rules, unless there is a rule stipulation in the agreement between the parties.  Arbitration is more flexible than litigation and more formal than mediation. The arbitrator renders a reasoned award based on the arguments and evidence presented by each party. The parties not only choose the arbitrator, but they also have input regarding the arbitration rules that will be applied. The amount of time for discovery or for calling witnesses and cross, for example, may be spelled out in the rules relied upon, but may also be modified by agreement.  An experienced and dedicated arbitration case manager works closely with the parties and the selected arbitrator or arbitration panel. The arbitration case manager conducts all communication with the parties, receives motions and circulates orders, manages the flow of information, works with parties to estimate time for calling of and cross-examining witnesses, manages due dates set by the arbitrator, manages the exchange of documents when appropriate and ordered, oversees invoicing and circulates awards.

Benefits of Arbitration Include:

• Private and Confidential:    Arbitration is a private and confidential process with no public record of the proceedings;
  
  
• Cost Effective:  Because of limited discovery, informal hearing procedures, and the expedited nature of the process, parties save on legal fees and transactional costs;
  
  
• Efficient:  Arbitration hearings are scheduled at time that works for the parties' and arbitrator's schedule;
  
  
• Arbitrator Selection:  Parties can choose from multiple arbitrators based on each arbitrator's subject matter and process expertise.
  

MWI mediators and arbitrators have specific expertise in the following areas:

For additional information, please contact MWI's Director of Mediation and Arbitration, Josh Hoch at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or 800-348-4888 x23 with questions and for an estimate of fees.