Texas Mediation Attorney

Texas Alternative Dispute Resolution

Michael P. Fleming, former Harris County Attorney is certified as a mediator by the AA White Dispute Resolution Center of the University of Houston Law Center.  He is qualified to mediate any civil litigation matter including:

• Personal Injury Cases - Michael P. Fleming is board certified in Personal Injury Trial Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialzation and has tried numerous personal injury lawsuits - plaintiff and defense.
• Real Estate Lawsuits - Michael P. Fleming is an experienced real estate trial lawyer and is also board certified in Real Estate Law by the Texas Board of Legal Specialization.
• Civil Litigation Matters - Michael P. Fleming has been handling civil litigation cases for twenty-two years and has tried many, many cases in the state and federal trial and appellate courts including arguing and winning a case before the Supreme Court of the United States.
• International Mediation - Michael P. Fleming is also licensed as a solicitor by the Law Society of Ireland and is available to mediate international legal disputes.

                         "Any  dispute can be resolved through mediation prior to trial.  All it takes is a realistic approach and a desire to work with the other party for your mutual benefit." 

                         Michael P. Fleming, Certified Houston Mediator

Contact Houston Mediator Michael P. Fleming by email for more information about his mediation practice including rates and availability or call him at (713) 221-6800 today.

Mediation is a settlement negotiation process whereby the parties to a dispute attempt to resolve their case through the use of a neutral third party known as a mediator.

• Mediation is confidential.  Statements you make during mediation cannot be used against you in the future.  (However, they can lead to other information that might be so used)
• If your case does not settle during mediation, you are no worse off for participating.  It does not affect your case.
• A Mediator is neutral, it is not his or her job to decide who wins - only to bring the parties together and try to work it out.
• If your case does settle during mediation, that settlement is binding.

What are the Benefits of Mediation?

• An immediate end to the dispute.
• Savings on litigation costs including attorneys fees.
• Ending the stress of the litigation process.
• Avoiding a public trial and testifying in an open courtroom.
• Stopping the use of time dealing with the case.

What are the Steps of the Mediation Process?

Mediations generally consist of two phases: a general caucus and private caucuses.

General Caucus

The general caucus takes place at the beginning of the mediation.  The parties and their lawyers meet together in one room with the mediator.  At this time, the mediator discusses the mediation process and the lawyers have the opportunity to make statements directly to the other party.  Furthermore, the parties themselves can address issues raised by the lawyers with brief statements.  Usually, the parties then separate and go to their own conference rooms with their lawyers for the private caucuses. Often, the parties do not come in contact with each other for the duration of the mediation.

Private Caucus 

During the private caucuses, the mediator will move from room to room to separately meet with each party and their attorney.  During these meetings, the mediator will discuss the issues raised in the litigation and attempt to bring each side to an agreement.  If you wish to keep any of the discussions confidential, the mediator will do so and not share the information with the other party.  At the end of the mediation session, if an agreement is reached, the parties will sign a settlement agreement on the spot.

Contact our Houston Mediator if you have any questions regarding mediation or the mediation process.