Hon. Helaine L. Berger, (Ret.), senior mediator and arbitrator at ADR Systems, recently participated in a panel at The Chicago Bar Association. The panel, titled “The Mediation Process in Family Disputes,” focused on how alternative dispute resolution can benefit parties in family law disputes.

“Studies have shown mediation helps divorcing couples who need to have a continuing relationship, such as in a co-parenting situation or a business dispute by giving them more control,” said Judge Berger. “It is a nicer, gentler and more cost-effective option than litigation.”

Judge Berger presented alongside Kathryn Liss, Director of the Schiller DuCanto Family Law Center & Law Career Services Counselor at DePaul University;  Samantha Bell Sugarman of Griffin McCarthy Rice LLP;  and Jessica Winkler Boike of Beermann LLP.

“In mediation, I help parties negotiate and come up with their own solution instead of having a court-mandated decision,” said Judge Berger. “It gives parties more control over the process and over their own lives.”

Before coming to ADR Systems, Judge Berger served for 19 years as a judge in the Cook County Circuit Court’s Domestic Relations Division and the Child Protection and Juvenile Justice Department. Her high settlement rate is a testament to her innate ability to very quickly relate to people personally, even in the most difficult and emotionally charged situations.

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