Caroline Nelson,
Attorney and Counselor at Law, PLLC
Neutral Assistance to Reach Mutually-Agreed Next Steps
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The Basics
I provide legal advice and counseling, intermediation, mediation, strategic planning, systems navigation, speaking events and training for adults who love and support children with special needs.
Neutral Assistance to Reach Mutually-Agreed Next Steps
Why Mediation Instead of Due Process?
- Prevents escalation to Due Process or court
- Less adversarial setting reduces hostility between parties
- Private and confidential; no public proceeding or record
- Negotiation can encompass non-legal issues; not limited to legal decisions
- Allows for the parties’ solutions; not the hearing officer/judge’s
- Settlement, or non-settlement, is up to the parties; not imposed by the mediator
- Reduced expenses and stress result in more amicable outcomes and positive long-term working relationships
What Opposing Parties Do
- Bring their own counsel/advocates
- Share selection of a mediator
- Prioritize issues and make final decisions
- Share decisions about expenses and confidentiality
What the Mediator Does
- Brings specialized training in conflict resolution
- Assists parties in reaching a voluntary settlement of disputes
- Remains neutral; substantive and legal opinions come from the parties
- Focuses both on substantive issues and laying the groundwork for the parties’ future working relationships