It is our great pleasure to announce the appointment of Judge David A. Mills to the MDRS Panel of Neutrals. Judge Mills’ remarkable background includes his service at the Massachusetts Appeals Court from 2001 to 2012. He has since then provided case evaluations in appellate matters, trial litigation matters, Single Justice practice, and pre-trial consultatons…
Panel of Neutrals
MDRS Welcomes Ralph Cecere to the Neutral Panel
We are so pleased to welcome Attorney Ralph N. Cecere to the MDRS Panel of Neutrals. Attorney Cecere is a seasoned practitioner with over 24 years of experience in the trial court and administrative agencies. He has handled over 200 cases taken to trial in the Superior and District Courts. During his years as a…
Mediation: Achieving Success
How can participants maximize their chances for a successful outcome in mediation? While there are many worthwhile opinions and no shortage of advice, the simple virtue of civility can advance your negotiations in a powerful way. Overlooked in so many cases is the personal factor. There are reports, claims, medical bills, evidence to be collected.…
MDRS Presents ADR Techniques to Nigerian…
MDRS is honored to again have been asked to present on alternative dispute resolution to a high-level delegation from Nigeria visiting the United States seeking out information on ADR so that they can further such implementation in their country. This is the third year that MDRS will have the honor of working with this admirable…
MDRS Launches Foreclosure Mediation Program
MDRS is excited to bring our valuable knowledge and experience of out-of-court dispute resolution to the City of Lynn Foreclosure Mediation Program. This groundbreaking program has been created to give Lynn homeowners and their lenders an opportunity to find mutually beneficial alternatives to foreclosure. The goals of the program are to prevent foreclosure, keep Lynn…
Jeanne M. Kempthorne selected for Super Lawyers
We are pleased to announce that one of our distinguished neutrals, Jeanne M. Kempthorne, has been recently selected for inclusion in Super Lawyers 2013 by Thomson Reuters. Super Lawyers is a rating system for lawyers in a range of practice areas that uses a patented multiphase selection method to choose only the best attorneys to…
Neutral Thomas B. Arnold, Esq. is Retiring
As of July 1st, neutral Thomas B. Arnold, Esq. is retiring. A graduate of Princeton University and Harvard Law School, Mr. Arnold began his law career as a civil litigation attorney before starting his own firm, Arnold & Kangas, PC, in 1983. During his years as an attorney, he handled a vast range of civil litigation…
Using ADR to Resolve Slip and Fall Accidents
Premise liability occurs when injury is suffered on property belonging to another person or business. Whether it is the conditions of the land, or activities performed, issues often arise in determining fault. When personal injury occurs it is often the first response to assign causality for the accident, but it can be difficult to prove…
ADR and Automobile Claims
Founded in 1991, MDRS has perhaps mediated and arbitrated more automobile claims of all types than any other ADR provider in Massachusetts. Automobile related claims are particularly suited to the processes of alternative dispute resolution, which are designed to meet the parties’ interests in resolving these cases equitably, economically and skillfully, and avoiding the time,…
MED-ARB: Sculpting the ADR Process To The Case
Both mediation and arbitration are now familiar and popular ADR processes used to resolve an ever broadening array of disputes. Over the past years, these two processes have literally transformed the legal landscape such that parties and their counsel are viewing ADR as a more appropriate manner of resolving disputes than is offered by Courts.…
MDRS Welcomes New Neutral, James Purcell
Jim has a long involvement with ADR both as a practicing attorney and as the CEO of Blue Cross & Blue Shield of RI. As a trial lawyer, Jim represented clients in mediations and arbitrations. He was a charter member of the ADR Panel of the US District Court for the District of RI…
Resolving Nursing Home Liability Cases with ADR
The number of Americans age 65 and older is expected to double in the next thirty years. With advances in medicine and an increased life expectancy rate, that estimate may be low. Some forty-five percent of the U.S. population now sixty-five or older will reside in nursing homes before they die. Of the baby boom…
Tips for Selecting a Neutral
Mediators and Arbitrators are neutral facilitators in disputes between parties. Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) like mediation and arbitration requires a neutral person, often called simply a Neutral, who adheres to the strict requirements of the mediation and arbitration processes. ADR, we’ve mentioned, is the best choice for most cases, in practically every industry and family…
NADN Membership for Brian Jerome
The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals (NADN), an invitation-only association of exceptional Alternative Dispute Resolution professionals, has announced the induction of Brian R. Jerome, Esq. to its esteemed group. The NADN recognizes mediators and arbitrators who have met stringent practice criteria, and whom stand out among firm- and peer-reviews. The Academy has made its directory of…
Words of Wisdom Imparted by MDRS Experts!
Massachusetts Dispute Resolution Services is now featuring articles and interviews by members of our Panel of Neutrals, “Words of Wisdom.” Here’s a brief excerpt from our most recent article, A Trial Lawyer’s Experience as a Mediator: A Few Brief Lessons, written by MDRS Neutral Thomas W. Porter: On the first day of practice as a trial…
Occupy Mediation
The Occupy Wall Street movement that has been spreading across the country has been a hub for civil protest and ideas, as well as alternative dispute resolution services. Occupy Boston in particular was built on a sound foundation of peaceful protest and mediation. Protesters have been involved in ADR cases with the City, the Boston…
Transparency in Mediation
An important factor in alternative dispute resolution is the manner in which each party handles the exchange of relevant information. The litigation process is known for concealing relevant information from opposing parties; however, new legal transparencies and software make it difficult to “hide” information. Mediation is a very straight-forward and transparent process at its core,…
Bette J. Roth Offers Sound Advice to the Legal Community
Bette J. Roth, a mediator and arbitrator who also teaches mediation at Boston University School of Law, is a member of the MDRS Panel of Neutrals. Ms. Roth’s “10 tips for effective – and ethical – negotiation” was recently featured in Massachusetts Lawyers Weekly. As business counsel and mediator, Ms. Roth emphasizes the importance of…
The Neutral Neutral
One of the first questions that clients ask when they’re considering alternative dispute resolution services like mediation and arbitration, is how a panel member or mediator can remain neutral. Each party thinks it’s correct; therefore, each party believes the neutral should “side” with it. During the dispute, however, parties usually realize the panel member’s neutrality…
