Mediation as a form of alternative dispute resolution is one of the best ways to resolve partnership disputes, especially if you plan to continue in a business relationship with that person (or group of people).  With partnership mediation, you and your business partner(s) will make your own decisions regarding the dispute with the help of a neutral, third-party mediator who is an expert in business and partnership laws related to your circumstances.

Partnership mediation is useful in resolving a variety of disputes that might arise between small business owners, shareholders, stakeholders, management teams or members of professional groups/organizations.  When you choose to open and operate a business with other people, regardless of how much trust you place on their ability and expertise, there will inevitably be issues that arise in which you might not agree fully with their way of handling things.  These disputes can arise from all areas and facets of the business enterprise and day-to-day operations, including accounting, management decisions, marketing or even dissolution of the business.

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Partnership mediators are able to assist business partners and teams by helping them create a plan to resolve the dispute and keep them focused on working together to maximize that plan’s benefit.  Specifically for management teams, it is often the case that people are thrown together to create a “team” but might otherwise have vastly different ways of handling things.  This assortment of personalities can create problems when the team is attempting to make decisions in unison, and partnership mediator can be a valuable resource in this kind of eclectic mix.

Partnership mediators are also skilled in helping business partners draft a Charter for their business enterprise if they are at the onset of creating a business together.  Legal expertise in creating that Charter will ensure that the business has a strong foundation moving forward and can help business partners avoid future legal pitfalls that might occur due to their lack of knowledge in how to create such a Charter.