• Mediation

• Arbitration

• Negotiation Counseling

• Conciliation

• Meeting Facilitation

• Training

Mediation is a voluntary and informal process during which disputing parties meet face-to-face with neutral mediators who assist the parties in fully and clearly discussing their concerns and reaching a mutually acceptable resolution to their dispute. Mediation sessions generally last up to three hours.   

• Provides an opportunity for private and confidential resolution
• Reduces the uncertainty and risk of trial
• Faster than trial
• Much less expensive than trial
• Provides a less stressful and facilitated environment, unlike the courtroom
• Permits creative settlements that could not be achieved at trial
• Creates settlements that meet the real needs of the parties
• Opens channels of communication; important for ongoing relationships

• Usually, one party will open a case for mediation by paying a reasonable fee and by providing AAMS with the name(s) and contact information for the other party/parties.

• AAMS will then contact the other party/parties in order to explain the mediation process and invite them to consider it as a method for resolving the dispute.

• Once AAMS obtains all parties’ consent to participate, AAMS will work with them to clarify the issues to be discussed, establish agreement about who will attend, and schedule the mediation session for a day and time that work for everyone involved. 

• After the session, AAMS will follow up with each party and send them an evaluation form.

The initiating party pays a non-refundable case opening fee. Session fees are a flat rate paid individually by each party, and based on a sliding scale depending on household or organizational income. 

When disputing parties cannot or do not want to meet with or talk directly to one another, an AAMS staff person/mediator will confidentially communicate with each party, relaying information via telephone and email between the parties until a resolution is reached

In arbitration, a neutral third party is empowered by the parties to decide the outcome of a dispute. Of all the methods of alternative dispute resolution, arbitration most closely resembles standard legal proceedings, and in fact, in binding arbitration, the parties agree to waive their right to go to court for a judicial decision.