Why mediate with Suzanne?  

Suzanne Whitaker is a registered mediator with the Georgia Office of Dispute Resolution, which is an entity created by the Georgia Commission on Dispute Resolution, governed by the Georgia Supreme Court, to ensure trained and qualified mediators operate within legal and ethical guidelines.  Mediation is a type of alternative dispute resolution ("ADR") that can resolve legal disputes without a trial.

What are the benefits of mediation over court proceedings?

Mediation saves time, money, and aggravation, and in many cases courts mandate that the parties attempt to settle their cases through mediation before the judge will hear the case.  Mediation is especially successful in domestic relations cases (divorce, child support, child custody, modifications, contempt actions), employment matters, business disputes, and in other disputes wherein the parties need to maintain a civil relationship during and after the dispute.  Mediation is quicker, more efficient, and more economical than traditional litigation in court, and operates to bring closure to the dispute while also saving time and money.   Many attorneys and lay persons deem mediation a "win-win" situation.

What Happens During Mediation?  

During mediation, a trained mediator, selected by both parties or assigned by the local ADR office, serves as a conciliator to help the parties reach a mutually acceptable settlement of their disputes in a cost-effective manner. The mediator does not decide which side is right or wrong; rather, the mediator assists the parties in reaching a mutually agreed upon resolution through improved communication and analysis of their respective needs and positions.   Another benefit of mediation is privacy:  often the parties can reach a confidential settlement that enables them to avoid "airing the dirty laundry" in a public forum such as court.

If we decide we can't agree later will I be back in Court?

In most cases, agreements reached during mediation are binding on the parties, particularly if both parties are represented by attorneys.  Suzanne Whitaker is a registered mediator for general civil (contract disputes, auto accidents, malpractice, business disputes), domestic relations, and domestic violence cases.  Ms. Whitaker trained at the Mediation Training Institute and Atlanta Divorce Mediators after practicing four years as an attorney, and mediates numerous civil and domestic cases each month.  Her training as a mediator also benefits her in representing her own litigation clients during their court-mandated mediation sessions.

Get Started with Mediation (Avoid the High Cost of  Court)

If you are interested in retaining Ms. Whitaker as a mediator in an existing lawsuit, please contact the ADR office governing the jurisdiction where the court is located, as the local ADR offices schedule and coordinate all mediation sessions.  If interested in retaining Ms. Whitaker privately, please contact her office at (678) 432-2744.  While Ms. Whitaker is mediating a case, she is prohibited from offering any legal advice to either party.  Each party should contemplate retaining counsel of their own choosing to represent them during mediation should they desire legal advice.