The Law Offices of S.J. Read

Mediation - Arbitration - Law Practice Management

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Our Services

We offer a number of services.  To learn more, click on the service title and additional text will drop down.  If you don't see any text, try a different browser or update java.

Sarah offers mediation services for individual or community disputes on either a flat fee or hourly fee rate schedule.  More complex disputes proceed through three stages: convening and assessment, mediation, and closing and related follow up.  Flat fees can be provided for the convening and closing stages.

Mediation is very a flexible process and a mediator does not make decisions but instead helps facilitate discussions among parties.  You can read this FAQ if you would like more information about mediation.

Sarah is part of the American Arbitration Association's panel of neutrals and provides arbitration services for business and regulatory disputes through the American Arbitration Association.  Both arbitration and mediation can help you resolve disputes quickly, confidentially, and at a reasonable cost.  In arbitration, the parties present their case and the arbitrator makes a decision, although the process is more flexible and less formal than litigation.  You can read more about arbitration services here.

We work with clients to design dispute resolution processes and to prepare for mediations, negotiations or settlement conferences. We will also serve when needed as a party advocate in the actual mediation or negotiation.

Where the most effective, efficient and complete resolution also includes the passage of legislation or action by the courts, we can draft legislation and work with your lobbyists to help secure passage, or work with trial counsel to help move the issue forward.

Collaborative

  • We take a team approach in working with our clients. We help clients define goals, set priorities, and choose the level of services they need. We also take a collaborative approach in working with others involved in a dispute; we look for solutions that are mutually satisfactory to the parties in order to effectively put the dispute to rest.

Innovative

  • We recognize that unique cases often require unique solutions. In resolving disputes, we search for innovative and creative solutions that are consistent with the needs and interests of the parties as well as the applicable law.

Pragmatic

  • When we look at a case, we do not just search for legal solutions, but pragmatic solutions that make sense to the individual or organization. Our goal is to use time efficiently, money economically, and in turn represent our clients effectively.

We provide consulting and coaching services for law firms and individual attorneys. These include facilitation of management or team dynamics, strategic planning, training, conflict management, and specialized services for individuals in OCDC diversionary or probationary programs.  Sarah has helped lawyers throughout Missouri improve their office systems and practices, was one of the reviewers for The Missouri Bar’s “Planning Ahead” guide, and regularly presents programs on Law Practice Management for The Missouri Bar.

Facilitation and Strategic Planning

  • If your firm needs assistance with strategic planning, we will work with your office to identify the strengths and weaknesses of your firm, evaluate industry trends, set goals, and identify steps that will help maintain and grow your practice.

Training

  • We provide training programs for retreats, and skill building seminars on professionalism, law practice management, conflict resolution, negotiation, and other issues such as mentoring and intergenerational communications.

Conflict Management

  • If your office experiences conflict regularly, we can help you find efficient and effective ways to manage that conflict. Through a dispute management audit, we can help you review or establish goals, analyze the procedures currently in use for resolving disputes, and identify new procedures designed to reduce costs and expedite resolution. We can mediate when disputes between partners or others threaten to disrupt your business.

Coaching

  • For individuals, we offer one-on-one coaching sessions on achieving work-life balance, time management, working with clients, assessing a potential career change, or improving drafting, oral argument, and in-office communications skills.

Specialized Services

  • We also offer specialized services for individuals in OCDC diversionary or probationary programs such as Law Practice Management Audits and follow up coaching.  Take a look at this Law Practice Management FAQ if you would like to learn more.

Law Practice Management Links

The following are links to organizations and companies whose services focus upon or include law practice management.