Frequently Asked Questions
Mediation is a confidential process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps disputing parties find common ground and reach mutually acceptable solutions. Unlike litigation, mediation allows parties to:
- Maintain control over the outcome
- Explore creative solutions beyond what a court could order
- Resolve disputes more quickly and cost-effectively
- Keep discussions confidential
- Preserve business relationships
Consider mediation when:
- You’re struggling with misalignment or conflict within your business or organization
- You’re navigating strategic decisions or reorganizations involving multiple stakeholders
- You’re trying to resolve a commercial dispute before going to court
- You’re searching for an off-ramp from expensive and lengthy litigation
Absolutely. Mediation is often a far more efficient and cost effective path to resolution than litigation. In a confidential mediation, the parties have a structured opportunity to clarify areas of dispute and their respective priorities in any resolution. This process often uncovers creative solutions that empower the parties to choose their own outcome rather than leaving it to a judge or jury.
Even partial resolution can be valuable. Mediation might narrow issues for trial, clarify positions, improve communication, or create momentum toward eventual settlement. There’s no requirement that everything be resolved, and parties can return to mediation later if circumstances change. The process is entirely voluntary—parties can continue litigation if mediation doesn’t produce acceptable results.
As a natural problem solver, Andrea invests time understanding not just the legal issues, but the parties’ underlying interests, their relationship to one another, and the root causes of the dispute. This deeper exploration often reveals paths to resolution that purely legal analysis might miss. Her in-house background gives her an uncommon appreciation for how conflicts affect budgets, strategy, customer relationships, compliance obligations, employee morale, and long-term objectives.
Andrea adapts her approach based on the parties, their relationship, and the specifics of the dispute—just as an effective leader adjusts her style to bring out the best in her team. While she remains primarily facilitative, helping parties work toward solutions of their own making, she will provide an evaluation on the merits when appropriate. She mediates firmly but without contentiousness, focusing on practical, sustainable resolutions.
In-house attorneys and business leaders immediately recognize Andrea as someone who’s been in their shoes. She understands the pressures they face—budget constraints, board expectations, operational realities, compliance requirements, and the need to keep the business moving forward. Her approach is practical, efficient, and focused on solutions that work in the real world. She’s not a traditional litigator trying to understand business; she’s a business leader who happens to have deep legal expertise.
Consumers or small organizations in dispute with a large business often feel like they’re facing down a black box. For years, Andrea’s work involved investigating what gave rise to a given customer’s issue and helping design an appropriate fix. This experience makes her uniquely positioned to help customers and companies reach realignment.
Andrea has deep expertise in:
- Commercial and Contract Disputes
- Consumer Law
- Government Contracts and False Claims
- Business Torts and Fraud
- Reseller, Agent & Partnership Disputes
- Regulatory Violations & Enforcement Actions
Yes. While she has handled a broad array of matters, Andrea has deep expertise in:
- Telecommunications
- Technology and Cybersecurity
- Consumer Goods and Services
- Agent, Reseller and Outsourcing Arrangements
- Government Contracting
With online mediation, Andrea is able to mediate disputes of parties regardless of where they sit. For in-person mediations, Andrea is based in the Mid-Atlantic region and has general availability in:
- Delaware
- Washington, DC metro area
- Maryland Eastern Shore
In-person mediations in Philadelphia and New York can be arranged, as well, where preferred.
Having handled everything from bet the company litigation to routine small claims, Andrea understands that the size of the dispute doesn’t necessarily signal how difficult or simple it will be to resolve. In her mediation practice, she likewise enjoys the opportunity to assist in a range of cases, schedule permitting. The key isn’t the dollar amount—it’s whether the parties need assistance in reaching a pragmatic, lasting solution.
Yes. Andrea provides facilitation services for companies and organizations facing crossroads moments. This might include strategic planning impasses, leadership team conflicts, cross-functional alignment challenges, or difficult stakeholder negotiations. Her approach elicits stakeholders’ goals and reservations, uncovers and distills key issues, and enables decision-making in even the most intractable scenarios.
Once the parties decide they’d like to mediate with Andrea, she’ll work with them to decide on whether a half or full day session should be reserved. From there, we’ll work to develop a short schedule to allow each party to submit a confidential pre-mediation statement, meet separately with Andrea and then come together for the mediation. The pre-mediation submissions and conversations help make the actual mediation session as productive as possible.
Absolutely. You want to be sure that you choose the right mediator for your dispute. Andrea is happy to have a brief meeting with the parties or their attorneys to ensure that moving forward makes sense for everyone.
Andrea generally charges a flat fee that will vary depending on the complexity of the dispute and the time reserved for mediation (half or full day). The parties will pay 50% of the fee at the time of booking to reserve the mediation session and the remainder is due upon the conclusion of the session.
Have More Questions?
Call (202) 689-4930 or email
to explore how mediation might help.