Partnership dispute mediation is defined as a structured negotiation in which a neutral third-party mediator facilitates discussions between business partners, legal counsel for each party and, when applicable, financial advisors, accountants, corporate officers and stakeholders to reach a mutually agreeable resolution to a dispute, which is called a settlement agreement. Unlike litigation, mediation fosters open communication and collaboration, helping parties find solutions that address legal, financial and emotional concerns. Parties control the outcome of the negotiation process, and their settlement agreement is enforceable in court, acting as a contract.

Our panel of retired judges and seasoned attorneys have settled numerous partnership disputes throughout the multiple decades that ADR Systems has been in business. These have included:

• A dispute involving claims of breach of fiduciary duty in a business after the defendant purportedly would not buy out the plaintiff’s interest and ownership as previously agreed

• A dispute in which restaurant partners chose to arbitrate due to the confidential nature of the partnership agreement; the matter was resolved through binding mediation rather than arbitration

• A dispute involving two founders of a telecom company in which the neutral helped parties assess the proper method of company valuation and structure the buy-out of the minority partner

Parties to a partnership dispute enjoy various advantages when they mediate it at ADR Systems.

Faster Resolutions: Mediation can resolve disputes in weeks or months rather than years, reducing the time burden on plaintiffs and defendants

Cost Savings: Avoiding lengthy court battles saves money otherwise spent on legal fees, expert witness costs and administrative expenses.

Confidentiality: Unlike public court proceedings, mediation is confidential, protecting reputations and sensitive information.

Reduced Stress: Mediation fosters a collaborative rather than adversarial atmosphere, reducing emotional strain for all involved.

Greater Control: Mediation removes the uncertainty and risk associated with litigation, where outcomes can be all-or-nothing; both parties have a say in the outcome of the case rather than leaving the decision in the hands of a judge or jury.

Preserved Relationships: Open dialogue allows parties to maintain personal and professional relationships when possible.

Experienced Neutrals: ADR Systems’ panel of mediators consist of retired judges and seasoned attorneys with decades of hands-on knowledge of the disputes before them and an ardent passion for resolving them.

Mediation is a practical solution for many partnership disputes. It is particularly beneficial when parties seek a resolution that prioritizes confidentiality, expediency and cost-effectiveness.

If you are representing clients involved in a partnership dispute and want to pursue mediation as an alternative to litigation, explore our Find A Neutral page to review the bios of mediators with experience mediating partnership disputes.

Submit your partnership dispute case through our Neutral Availability Form or Contact Form.