"The obligation of our profession is, or has been thought to be, to serve as healers of human conflicts. To fulfill our traditional obligations means that we should provide mechanisms that can produce an acceptable result in the shortest possible time, with the least possible expense and with a minimum of stress on the participants. That is what justice is all about." U.S. Supreme Court Chief Justice Warren Burger, in his Annual Report on the State of the Judiciary, January 24, 1982.

The Company

Attorneys Mediation Services, LLC, is an Ohio Limited Liability company, devoted exclusively to the mediation of pending lawsuits and potential lawsuits. Only experienced trial attorneys are employed as mediators by the company. Mediation is conducted for all types of civil cases, including personal injury, medical negligence, breach of contract, consumer actions, general tort law, and domestic relations.

The Principals

Attorneys Mediation Services, LLC, is owned and operated by Attorneys Joseph Calabretta and Jeffrey S. Wilkof. Mr. Calabretta has been a practicing attorney for more than 25 years, concentrating on civil litigation in the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical negligence, product liability, business and commercial law, and real estate. He has been a mediator with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas since 1996. Jeffrey Wilkof has been a practicing attorney since 1980, also concentrating on civil litigation, and focusing on the areas of personal injury, wrongful death, medical negligence, business and commercial law, probate law, and real estate. Mr. Wilkof has been a mediator with the Stark County Court of Common Pleas since 1997. Both Mr. Calabretta and Mr. Wilkof maintain private practices, in addition to their mediation activities. Additional trial counsel is used to mediate domestic disputes.

The Process

The decision to mediate a disputed matter can occur prior or subsequent to the filing of a legal action. The parties can agree to the mediation, or a judge can order the parties to submit the matter to mediation. Certain states may have statutory provisions regarding mediation. Ohio statutory law defines mediation parameters at §2317.023 of the Ohio Revised Code, and all mediations are conducted in accordance with the provisions of that statute.

The following is a summary of the steps followed to facilitate the process.

1. The parties and/or their legal representatives agree to submit the matter to mediation.
2. The legal representatives contact the company with a request to initiate the mediation process. Additionally, the representatives provide the company with the relevant information regarding the parties, case information, and attorneys involved.
3. The staff of Attorneys Mediation Services schedules a mutually convenient time and place for the session.
4. Following scheduling, the mediator confirms the appointment in writing and requests submission of necessary documents to be used in the mediation.
5. The mediation is conducted with all necessary parties present. In the event of a resolution, the settlement is journalized on a form prepared by the mediator at the conclusion of the mediation, and is signed by all parties and representatives.

Fee Schedule

The fees charged for mediation depend on the number of parties to the case. Fees are charged on the following basis:

Experience has shown that the average mediation lasts between 3 and 4 hours.

The Results

It is the philosophy of Attorneys Mediation Services that mediation is the most successful and equitable form of alternative dispute resolution available to the legal community. This requires a combination of legal experience, impartiality, communication skills and knowledge of the subject in process. Mediation, while permitting the lawyers to function as advocates on behalf of their clients, affords the parties the opportunity to play a meaningful, significant role in attempting to resolve their dispute. Even when a case does not settle, the mediation process can lay the groundwork for future productive discussions regarding resolution. It is essential that the mediation be conducted by an impartial, experienced trial attorney who takes control of the process, but permits all sides to have a say in the outcome. The success rate of Attorneys Mediation Services is between 75% and 85%. Attorneys Mediation Services welcomes the opportunity to assist you.