Kim can mediate your disputes through a variety of venues.  She is an approved mediator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA), the Missouri Department of Secondary and Elementary Education and US A&M.  Mediations are typically held in rooms used exclusively for alternative dispute resolution--fully wired conference rooms large enough to accomodate multi-party cases; separate, sound proof caucus rooms; free parking; knowledgable staff; law library for quick research; and lots of snacks and drinks.  To learn more about mediation through US A&M, check out http://www.usam-midwest.com/.  

For arbitrations, Kim arbitrates through the American Arbitration Association (AAA), FINRA, Madison and St. Clair Counties, and Illinois State University Civil Service System.  In many cases, Kim acts as a sole arbitrator, but Kim can act as one of three or more arbitrators.  To learn more about AAA check out: http://www.adr.org.

If you have considered adding a manditory mediation or arbitration clause to your agreements, click here to see sample I recommend. 

Mediation-Arbitration_Sample_Clauses

I like contract provisions that include both mediation and arbitration with mediation preceeding arbitration, a provision choosing which mediation/ arbitration rules apply and who the mediation/abitration will come before (you can name US A&M or AAA expressly in your agreement)  

What is mediation?

 Mediation is a process in which a neutral third person, the mediator, encourages and facilitates the resolution of a dispute between two or more parties. It is an informal and nonadversarial process which has the objective of helping the disputing parties reach a mutually acceptable and voluntary agreement. The entire process is private and confidential and in many cases the final settlement is private also--this is in stark contrast to court proceedings which are open to the public, television and newspapers.  In mediation, decision making and authority rests entirely with the parties.  Although the process is voluntary, it results in a strikingly high settlement rate.

What is arbitration?

Arbitration is a legal process which takes place outside of the courts, but results in a final and binding decision similar to a court's judgment. Parties to a dispute can opt out of the court system, and submit their case for decision by a neutral third party, the arbitrator. Arbitration is usually faster and more informal than going to court, and often much less expensive. It also has the advantage of being private and confidential.