Mediation/Arbitration

Marvin M. Smith is an experienced mediator and arbitrator, having mediated thousands of matters over the years. Mr. Smith mediates all types of civil matters, and has on occasion mediated criminal matters. Mr. Smith has served both as sole arbitrator and as a member of an arbitration panel in arbitration proceedings. Mr. Smith has over thirty (30) years of legal experience, including service as a state magistrate judge and state district judge.

Mr. Smith is able to mediate/arbitrate matters at the offices of Smith & Banks, PLLC and is also willing to travel to mediate/arbitrate.

Mediation is a non-binding confidential process that affords parties an opportunity to meet and attempt to negotiate an agreement in areas thought irreconcilable with the help of an impartial mediator.

Arbitration is a process where the parties select a neutral person or neutral persons to settle their dispute by making a finding. Arbitrators are not bound by precedent and have great leeway throughout the proceeding such as active participation, accepting evidence, questioning witnesses, and deciding appropriate remedies. Unless the parties agree otherwise, the arbitration is binding and gives a final result for the dispute. In most cases, there is no appeal from an arbitration decision so the matter is quickly and finally disposed of in an economical manner.