The program will focus on how we as neutrals can provide ways, through mediation, facilitation, negotiation, arbitration and preparation (!!!) to create a “new normal” in which interactions between parties make peace happen. Active engagement between presenters and audience will draw out the benefits of and obstacles to achieving a more efficient, effective and affordable ADR process in the court-annexed and litigated civil case. We have partnered with the local state court (Hennepin County (Minneapolis) to implement a "Flat Fee Mediation Pilot Program." We will describe it and show how it can be replicated around the country. Both presenters regularly mediate a wide variety of cases (pro bono, through the ValueSolve and court-annexed flat fee program ("low bono") and at regular commercial rates) through ad hoc appointments and other panel referrals such as the AAA. Both presenters are former council members of the 400-member Minnesota State Bar Association ADR Section.

1. EFFICIENT, EFFECTIVE AND
AFFORDABLE COMMERCIAL
ADR (REALLY!)
PATRICK BURNS, ESQ.
MEDIATOR & ARBITRATOR
LINDA MEALEY-LOHMANN, ESQ.
MEDIATOR & ARBITRATOR
WWW.VALUESOLVEADR.ORG
© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

2. AGENDA
ValueSolve ADR Philosophy
Court-connected Flat Fee Mediation Pilot Program
• History
• Characteristics
• Administration
Unique Mediation Process
Benefits / Obstacles
© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

3. VALUESOLVE ADR
Philosophy: ADR should be efficient, effective and affordable
Efficient: 4-hour mediation session;
Flexible time of day/day of week
Effective: Highly qualified neutrals with combined 140 years of
ADR experience crafted a unique mediation process
Affordable: Charge a flat-fee of $900 per party for mediation
(up to $250,000 in controversy)
No case service or administrative fees
© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

4. COURT-CONNECTED FLAT FEE
MEDIATION PILOT PROGRAM
History
• 2011 approved by 4th Judicial District (Hennepin County/Minneapolis)
• “Flat Fee Mediation Pilot Program”
Characteristics
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© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

5. COURT-CONNECTED FLAT FEE
MEDIATION PILOT PROGRAM
Administered entirely by ValueSolve ADR
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© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

6. UNIQUE MEDIATION PROCESS
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© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

7. BENEFITS
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OBSTACLES
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© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

8. HOW TO REPLICATE FLAT FEE
PILOT PROGRAM
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© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

9. NEUTRALS ARE GOOD AT
LISTENING RESPECTFULLY
© ValueSolve ADR, LLC 2013

10. PATRICK BURNS
 ValueSolve ADR – Commercial,
Consumer & Franchise
 AAA Mediator & Arbitrator
 Past Chair of the Minnesota State
Bar ADR Section
 Member of National Academy of
Distinguished Neutrals
 IMI Certified Mediator
 Adjunct Professor - University of
South Dakota
 Patrick.Burns@ValueSolve
ADR.org
LINDA MEALEY-LOHMANN
 ValueSolve ADR – Commercial,
Consumer & Employment
 AAA Mediator & Arbitrator
 Current Chair of the Minnesota State
Bar ADR Section
 Member of National Academy of
Distinguished Neutrals
 EEOC & USPS Contract Mediator
 Adjunct Professor-William Mitchell
College of Law
 Linda.MealeyLohmann@ValueSolve
ADR.org
4200 IDS Center, 80 South 8th Street, Minneapolis, MN 55402
Website: www.ValueSolveADR.com