Arbitration

What Is Arbitration?

Arbitration is a private dispute resolution process in which a neutral arbitrator hears both sides of a dispute and issues a decision, called an Award, resolving the matter. Unlike mediation, the parties are not reaching their own agreement; the arbitrator decides the outcome after reviewing the evidence and hearing from both sides.

Arbitration can be binding or non-binding depending on what the parties agree to in advance. In binding arbitration, the Award is final and enforceable, with only limited grounds for court review. In non-binding arbitration, the Award serves as a recommendation the parties may accept or reject before proceeding further.

The arbitrator does not represent either party and does not provide legal advice to either side. My role is to conduct a fair, orderly hearing, weigh the evidence and arguments presented, and issue a reasoned Award.

Litigation can take months or years and often deepens conflict along the way. Arbitration, by contrast, is designed to resolve matters efficiently and privately, with a defined process and a firm resolution at the end.

As a child psychologist, trauma-informed professional, Guardian ad Litem for over 20 years, and now attorney and arbitrator, I bring both clinical and legal experience to every arbitration. I understand the law, but I also understand the dynamics of conflict and what it takes to conduct a hearing that both parties feel was fair, even when they disagree with the outcome.

Why Choose Collaborative Arbitration?

Arbitration is designed for parties who want a definitive, private resolution to their dispute without the cost, delay, and public record of full court litigation. It offers a defined process from submission through Award, at a modest per-party fee, with the guidance of an arbitrator who understands both the legal issues at stake and the practical realities of the dispute.

What's Included

  • Fee: $300 per party

  • One confidential intake call with each party or respective counsel (up to 20 minutes each)

  • Review of submitted position statements and supporting documentation from each party

  • One arbitration hearing (up to 2.5 hours)

  • Written Award issued within 10 business days of the hearing

What's Not Included

  • Legal advice or representation for either party

  • Preparation of pleadings, position statements, or evidence on behalf of either party

  • Additional hearing sessions beyond the initial 2.5-hour hearing

  • Reconsideration, appeal, or modification of the Award beyond what applicable law or the parties' arbitration agreement permits

  • Ongoing case management or continued communication beyond the scope of this process

  • Additional services are available by separate agreement.

Communication Policy

To keep the arbitration process efficient and impartial, communication outside the scheduled intake calls and the hearing is limited as follows:

  • Substantive communication — meaning any discussion of case details, positions, or evidence — is reserved for the scheduled intake calls, written submissions, and the hearing itself. It is not conducted by phone or email in between.

  • Scheduling and administrative emails (confirming appointments, sending documents, etc.) are welcome at any time, but repeated calls or emails seeking updates or informal input outside of scheduled proceedings cannot be accommodated within this process.

  • As arbitrator, I cannot communicate with one party outside the presence or knowledge of the other. Any communication regarding the substance of the case must include both parties or their counsel.

This policy exists so that the arbitration remains fair and impartial, and so that the resulting Award is based only on evidence and argument properly presented to both sides.

How It Works

1.

Scheduling or Consultation

Parties are welcome to schedule their arbitration here. The system will prompt you for supporting documents and details. You can pay for your session through this same platform. Cancellations or rescheduling are available at no charge anytime prior to 3 days prior to the hearing.

If you'd like to learn more about the process first and confirm arbitration is the right fit before committing, a 30-minute Arbitration Inquiry call is available for $250.

Schedule an Arbitration Inquiry

2.

Arbitration Agreement

Once both parties confirm they'd like to proceed, each party will receive an email with three steps to complete before arbitration begins:

  • Sign the Arbitration Agreement

  • Pay the $300 per-party fee

  • Complete a confidential online intake questionnaire

The Arbitration Agreement sets out whether the arbitration will be binding or non-binding, the scope of issues to be decided, and the rules governing the hearing. Arbitration will not be scheduled until both parties have signed the Arbitration Agreement and each party's fee has been paid in full.

3.

Intake Calls

Each party participates in a separate, confidential intake call (up to 20 minutes) prior to the hearing. These calls allow me to understand each party's perspective individually, confirm the issues to be arbitrated, and prepare to make the hearing as orderly and productive as possible.

6.

Award

Following the hearing, I issue a written Award resolving the matter, delivered within 10 business days. The Award reflects my determination based on the evidence and arguments presented by both parties.

4.

Position Statements and Evidence

Prior to the hearing, each party submits a written position statement along with any supporting documentation they intend to rely on. These submissions allow me to prepare for the hearing and ensure both sides have a fair opportunity to be heard.

5.

Hearing

The arbitration hearing itself runs up to 2.5 hours. Both parties present their positions and evidence (in person or virtually), with the opportunity to respond to the other side, before I close the hearing and take the matter under advisement.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Whether the Award is binding depends on what the parties agree to in the Arbitration Agreement signed before the hearing. A binding Award is final and enforceable, with only limited grounds for court review. A non-binding Award serves as a recommendation the parties may accept or reject.

  • Arbitration does not require either party to have an attorney, but either party is welcome to be represented by counsel or to have counsel assist in preparing their position statement and evidence.

  • If the arbitration was non-binding and a party does not accept the Award, or if issues remain outside the scope of what was arbitrated, the matter may proceed to litigation or another dispute resolution process.

  • Arbitration can be used for a wide range of disputes where the parties want a definitive, private decision rather than a negotiated agreement, including contract disputes, business disputes, and other civil matters where the parties have agreed to arbitrate.

A clearer path begins with a conversation.

Request a consultation to determine the right next step for your family, case, organization, or professional audience.