Birmingham Alternative Dispute Resolution Lawyer

Parties to a legal dispute may request alternative dispute resolution (ADR) to avoid time-consuming, complicated and costly court proceedings. ADR is also a less formal option of resolving legal disagreements that have become complicated by multiple parties, jurisdictions or issues. Alternative dispute resolution proceedings may also remain private and confidential, whereas anything filed in a court of law is a matter of public record.

From contract disputes to real estate matters, mediation or arbitration can be used for a variety of situations. In arbitration, parties agree to present their case to a neutral third party and abide by the decision issued, which is similar to a court judgment. Mediation differs from arbitration in that the third party only facilitates the dispute resolution; parties to the suit ultimately decide whether or not they will enter into a mutually acceptable arrangement.

Experienced Birmingham Alternative Dispute Resolution Attorney

Christian & Small attorneys are experienced and effective mediators, arbitrators, neutrals and administrative hearing officers. They have experience mediating and arbitrating complex civil actions, including:

• Business
• Professional malpractice
• Commercial
• Mass tort
• Tort
• Consumer
• Employment
• Construction
• Insurance
• Constitutional

Trusted Birmingham ADR Lawyer

Clarence M. Small and Kenneth O. Simon are members of the National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals.

The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals is an association whose membership consists of ADR professionals distinguished by their hands-on experience in the field of civil and commercial conflict resolution, and by their commitment to the practice of alternative dispute resolution.

Membership is by invitation only and limited to attorney mediators and arbitrators who have proven experience in the field. All Academy members have been thoroughly reviewed and found to meet stringent practice criteria. Members are amongst the most in-demand neutrals in their respective states, as selected by both peers and local litigation firms.

Special Masters/Receiverships

Special masters are officers of the court appointed to hear complex civil cases where the master’s experience in an area of law would be useful in developing the case. A special master has the authority to regulate proceedings, compel the production of documents and other evidence and question witnesses and parties to the case. The special master then uses all evidence collected to file a report with the appointing court.

Christian & Small attorneys have experience serving as special masters. The firm is associated with JAMS, the largest private alternative dispute resolution provider in the world. Their attorneys have served as mediators, arbitrators and neutrals in regional cases for JAMS. They have mediated securities and public employment disputes, and have served as special masters in a variety of pre-trial proceedings and claims administration processes.