Mediation has a very high success rate - a recent national study shows that around 70% of mediated disputes reach a settlement. Even when a dispute is not settled in mediation, key issues are identified and some may be resolved.

The best time to mediate is before an issue escalates to litigation. Mediation is obviously more cost effective before a lawsuit, but it can be used before, during or after court proceedings. Mediation can also be used as a preventative measure for conflicts that won’t lead to litigation, but have significant emotional cost.

Mediation sessions are typically 2-3 hours. Complex issues and multiple parties may require more than one session.

We offer professional mediation services on a sliding scale rate per party and per session. Payment from both parties is required to schedule a mediation. A typical mediation will require one 2-3 hour session. Complex issues and multiple parties may require more than one session. For cases that are particularly complex and difficult to schedule, we may charge a case development fee. Please contact us for specific case fees.

In both mediation and arbitration, the parties bring their dispute to a third party. In arbitration, the parties communicate only with the arbitrator, and the arbitrator decides what should happen. In mediation, the parties speak with the mediator and each other. The mediator does not decide what should happen, but assists the participants to reach an agreement that is acceptable to both parties.

It is difficult to know whether a party will agree to something until they are asked. Given that the alternatives are lengthy, stressful and expensive, we find that people tend to be very agreeable to the idea of mediation. In some cases, hearing the request from a neutral third party makes it easier to accept the idea of mediation.

In cases where the other party doesn't agree to mediate, we can offer you conflict coaching services to help you navigate the situation. Note that this is not a substitute for legal advice or advocacy.

It is much easier to maintain unreasonable positions in arguments and letters than it is in person with an impartial 3rd party present. Once a party enters into mediated dialogue, polarization and extreme positions tend to fall away and progress toward a reasonable settlement follows.

Successful mediation does not depend on parties being reasonable, friendly, or even on talking terms. If both parties agree to mediate, they have a great chance to achieve a settlement. With years of experience negotiating complex issues, we have successfully resolved seemingly impossible conflicts between the most impossible parties.

The parties do not have to be in the same room to achieve a resolution. In our volunteer work for the Superior Court, we have resolved matters where the parties were under court order to not have contact with the other. As trained mediators, we can use a process called caucusing (or “shuttle diplomacy”) where we keep the parties in separate rooms and meet privately with each party. Caucusing may be used for some or all of a mediation session.

Mediation is not a process of universal compromise or convincing one side to give in to the other. Mediation promotes understanding and generates agreement opportunities that neither party could create independently. We understand that parties will often have differing perspectives and seemingly unresolvable positions.

A written mediated agreement signed by all parties is enforceable in the same manner as any other written contract. In fact, mediated settlements are less likely to return to conflict because the agreement is made by both parties instead of being imposed on them.

We offer mediation, training and conflict coaching services to those who live in, or own property or a business in Placer County.

We have a dedicated mediation space at the Placer County Public Defender's offices located at:

3785 Placer Corporate Drive, Rocklin, CA 95765

We also have an office in Tahoe City located at:

925 Northlake Blvd Suite B203, Tahoe City, CA 95730

Occasionally, we may use other meeting spaces in Placer County. Where appropriate, we can also meet at a place of your choosing.

An in-person mediation is preferable, but in situations where it is not practical, we offer virtual mediation services utilizing Zoom videoconferencing.

If you are interested in using mediation to work out a solution that has eluded you, all you need to do is call us at (916) 234-0045. You can also email us at: admin@placerdisputeresolution.org

We’ll ask you about the dispute, go over various options for inviting the other person to participate, and guide you through the next steps.