It’s well documented that litigation takes more time than adjudication with arbitration. The US District Court Judicial Caseload Profile from June 30, 2025 reported that the median time from filing to trial for civil cases is 34.1 months.[i] By contrast, the median duration of domestic commercial arbitrations – from initial filing to award – is […]
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Hon. Patrick J. Sherlock, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, recently published an article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. His article, In-Depth Knowledge of Facts, Law Needed to Avoid Settlement Traps, explains five common negotiation mistakes and how skilled mediators can help parties avoid them to reach resolution. “Negotiation is often described […]
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Hon. Janet Adams Brosnahan, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, recently published an article in the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. Her article, Finding Inspiration When Rule of Law Appears to Be Under Attack, reflects on personal experiences and professional insights that shaped her perspective on the legal profession.
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Determining when to mediate can make all the difference in achieving a successful settlement. Most attorneys think that mediation is only effective after some discovery, but mediation can be effective during three key stages in the life of a case: pre-suit, after initial discovery and after more extensive discovery. This article provides insight into how […]
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This article by senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, Hon. Margaret A. Brennan, (Ret.), was originally published at the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin and the Women’s Bar Association of Illinois’ (WBAI) 2025 Spring Newsletter. Good work, you are trying to resolve an employment dispute short of trial or hearing. At some point during your discussions, […]
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This article was originally published at the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin. The edited version can be read here. Bracketing is an underutilized technique counsel can apply when negotiating settlements in mediation. Counsel must understand what bracketing is, the mechanics of how it operates, the significance of the midpoint, and why it works. When used effectively, […]
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Arbitration is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process wherein disputing parties agree – often through an agreement to arbitrate – to resolve a dispute by empowering one or more neutral “arbitrators” to adjudicate it: that is, render a merits-based decision on the case like a judge, but in a typically simplified, bench trial-like format. Because […]
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Mediation is not a one-size-fits-all process, and mediators often draw on two distinct styles to guide parties to resolution. Facilitative mediation centers on creating space for open dialogue, while evaluative mediation involves offering clear-eyed guidance and assessments. At ADR Systems, our mediators tailor their approach to the needs of each case, drawing from both styles […]
Read MoreMany parties desire to have their ‘day in court’ – their opportunity to present their claims or defenses before a judge or jury in pursuit of justice. The courtroom has long symbolized authority, accountability and public recognition. Yet litigation costs are mounting, the life of a case is lengthening and fewer cases – according to some […]
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Successful arbitration preparation relies on a clear understanding of the process and its best practices. To explore the finer points of arbitration preparation, we sat down with Hon. Kay M. Hanlon, (Ret.) and Hon. Stuart A. Nudelman, (Ret.), senior mediators and arbitrators at ADR Systems. Together, Judges Hanlon and Nudelman bring more than 65 years of combined […]
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Family law mediation is advantageous to parties for many reasons. When explaining the benefits of mediation, Hon. Helaine L. Berger, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, focuses on the “four Cs” of family law mediation: cost-effectiveness, confidentiality, control and creativity. Cost-effectiveness The cost of family law litigation usually starts at $20,000 and, for […]
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ADR Systems is pleased to welcome Hon. Patrick J. Sherlock, (Ret.) to our panel of senior mediators and arbitrators. Judge Sherlock served for 18 years in the Circuit Court of Cook County, most recently as the Supervising Judge of the Commercial Calendar Section and the Mandatory Arbitration Program. He previously oversaw the Asbestos Docket and […]
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Mediation and arbitration are well-known ADR processes. Less well-known is their cousin, neutral evaluation, which offers parties some of the best advantages of both. In a private, non-binding setting, a well-qualified neutral evaluator can provide one or multiple disputing parties with an objective opinion of the case, clarify complicated issues of fact and law and […]
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Hon. Brigid M. McGrath, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, was recently featured as a panelist at the Attorneys’ Liability Assurance Society’s (ALAS) Annual General Meeting, held at the Greenbrier in While Sulphur Springs, West Virginia on June 12, 2025.
Read MoreMost mediations resolve in a single session, but a handful do not. Some cases have pending motions, need more time for discovery or for the parties to reflect.
Read MoreMy sincere thanks to Judge Panter for settling a complex mediation. He is a true professional. When things were crumbling after seven hours of mediation, Judge Panter kept everyone engaged. His perseverance and skills were the keys to resolving this difficult case. Judge Panter is a phenomenal mediator. I will be using him again soon.
Scott Wolfman, Managing PartnerLaw Offices of Scott Wolfman
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