Wheaton Attorneys Focusing on Alternatives to Court
At the Scalzo Law Offices we have more than 33 years combined experience in the practice of law. Although we are trial lawyers, we believe in the benefits of alternative dispute resolution, and encourage our clients to use this valuable tool for resolving legal disputes when it is appropriate.
Different Situations Call for Different Legal Approaches
Sometimes, legal matters are resolved more efficiently by traditional litigation than by alternative dispute resolution (ADR). Other times, mediation or in the case of divorce, collaborative law is more appropriate. In our experience, alternatives to litigation, such as mediation and collaborative law, often produce better results more quickly than traditional litigation.
Mediation
Mediation is one alternative to litigation. It may be court sanctioned or parties can enter into it on their own accord. Mediation sessions are led by trained and court-sanctioned mediators who act as an independent third-party to assist in sorting out matters. Taking place outside of the courtroom, this process often diffuses tension, and makes it easier for the parties to settle their differences.
In this non-adversarial setting, generally an agreement is reached in one to three sessions. Parties are not represented by counsel at the sessions. If successful, the mediator sends a report outlining the agreement, to the judge and attorneys working on the case. If mediation proves unsuccessful, the parties are free to pursue litigation without any harm to their case.
Attorney Michael Scalzo of Scalzo Law Offices is a court-appointed mediator for DuPage County, with many years of experience. Attorney Scalzo is adept at helping parties arrive at mutually satisfying resolutions.
Collaborative Law
The purpose of collaborative law is to reach a resolution without litigation. Under the collaborative law approach, prior to filing anything in court, the parties have a series of meetings to try to work out issues. The disputing parties are represented by attorneys and the meetings may include financial analysts and child representatives. An entire divorce can be handled using collaborative law, but custody issues or the division of property in particular are often ripe for this approach. If successful, parties officially file a petition and then go to court one time only.
In collaborative law, the parties are often motivated to succeed because the attorneys and any other experts involved in the collaborative process agree not to participate in any subsequent court proceeding should the process break down. Should the process fail to render an agreement, nothing is lost, and the parties are free to pursue litigation.
Attorney Michael Scalzo is experienced in collaborative law, and is a member of the Collaborative Law Bar.
Family Law ▪ Civil Litigation ▪ Alternative Dispute Resolution
If you are involved in a dispute that could benefit from alternative dispute resolution, contact our Wheaton office to discuss the possibility of using our mediation or collaborative law services.
| Scalzo Law Offices |
| 1776A South Naperville Road
Suite 201
Wheaton, IL 60187-8143
Map and Directions | 1301 West 22nd Street
Suite 603
Oak Brook, IL 60523
Map and Directions |
| Phone: 630-384-1280 | Fax: 630-384-1270 |
| E-mail  
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The Scalzo Law Offices serves clients in Chicago, Addison, Aurora, Bartlett, Batavia, Bensenville, Bloomingdale, Bolingbrook, Burr Ridge, Carol Stream, Chicago, Clarendon Hills, Darien, Downers Grove, Elk Grove Village, Elmhurst, Glendale Heights, Glen Ellyn, Hanover Park, Hinsdale, Itasca, Lemont, Lisle, Lombard, Naperville, Oak Brook, Roselle, Schaumburg, St. Charles, Villa Park, Warrenville, West Chicago, Westmont, Wheaton, Willow brook, Winfield, Wood Dale, Woodridge, Du Page County, Cook County, Will County, Kane County and Chicago metro area, Illinois.
