What is Mediation and How Can It Help You Resolve Your Case Right Now?

Legally reviewed by:
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
May 15, 2020

family law lawyerBy: Mara Hershberger, J.D.

Half of Pennsylvania is shut down until June 4, 2020, at the earliest. This means courts are closed and your personal injury lawsuit or domestic relations issue cannot be litigated. Likely, your dispute will not go to court for a while due to a backlog after courts re-open. If you would like a quicker outcome or are worried about your health going to a crowded court in the future, mediation might be a good way to help resolve your dispute.

Mediation is a form of alternative dispute resolution—legal speak, for a way to avoid going to court while still getting an outcome—and it is an option which can be exercised at any point during the litigation process for any civil matter, including family law matters. The disputing parties must all agree to a mediation and select a mediator, often a former judge or an attorney, who is a neutral third-party hired to help resolve the issue. Prior to a mediation, the attorneys will prepare memos, which outline the evidence and the issues from each party’s perspective. Right now, many mediators are doing video conference mediations, so you do not even have to leave your home to attend.

At mediation, the mediator will meet everyone and then discuss the strengths and weaknesses of each side with the attorneys. A mediator’s job is to resolve the dispute in a fair way, by trying to balance each party’s wishes. Mediation is not binding unless everyone agrees to a settlement. If everyone agrees to a settlement, an agreement is signed, and your dispute is completed, without ever needing to go to court.

If you are in need of legal services, call the lawyers at Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg and Gifford, P.C., Colmar, PA. We can be reached at 215-822-7575. We offer a free, initial consultation.

The articles on this blog are for informative purposes only and are no substitute for legal advice or an attorney-client relationship. If you are seeking legal advice, please contact our law firm directly.


Legally reviewed by:
Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C.
Pennsylvania Attorney's
May 15, 2020
Established in 1952 by Irwin S. Rubin, Rubin, Glickman, Steinberg & Gifford P.C. boasts over 65 years of experience serving clients throughout Pennsylvania. Renowned for its commitment to ethical representation, the firm has garnered prestigious accolades, including being named the "Best Law Firm" for its outstanding legal defense work by U.S. News & World Report. Their team of seasoned attorneys, recognized as Pennsylvania Super Lawyers and Rising Stars, brings unparalleled expertise to a wide range of legal matters, ensuring exceptional representation for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.