Jay N. Lazrus

The principal behind the RAE Group, Jay N. Lazrus, is an experienced attorney who has spent over thirty years representing companies principally in the technology, communications and real estate industries. He brings his considerable business and legal knowledge to bear in deciding business, personal and consumer disputes.  He belongs to the Maryland Program for Mediator Excellence and adheres to their standards in conducting mediations. 

Currently he serves as a mediator/arbitrator for the following organizations, as well as conducting private mediations and arbitrations:

Panel mediator for the following Circuit Courts:  Baltimore County, Baltimore City, Frederick County, Howard County, Montgomery County and Prince Georges County.  Volunteer mediator for Montgomery County District Court. 

Panel mediator for State of Maryland Business & Technology Case Management Program

Panel mediator for Maryland Association of Realtors

Panel Settlement Conference Facilitator for Charles County

Panel Mediator for DC Foreclosure Mediation Program

Panel Arbitrator for Auto Warranty Disputes for NCDS

Education

Georgetown Law Center, Masters in Taxation (with honors, 1992)

National Centerfor Mediation Education, Mediator certificate (1991)

University of Maryland School of Law, J.D. (1981)

University of Maryland, B.A. (General Honors,1978)

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The cost and time that must be expended to resolve a dispute often makes litigation financially impractical. If you or your company is involved in a dispute with another party and it would be beneficial to have that dispute resolved quickly, inexpensively and impartially, then alternative dispute resolution is the answer. Its the same answer used by most of the 1,000 largest United States corporations.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is an informal ADR process using a neutral third party to assist the parties in reaching a voluntary resolution of their dispute. Unlike an arbitrator, the mediator is not the decision maker. The mediator helps the parties reach a mutually acceptable middle ground between their respective positions. In essence, the mediator facilitates the development of a settlement that the parties might not have reached without the mediator's efforts. Generally, at least part of the mediation involves the mediator and the parties together in the same room or on the same conference call discussing the merits of their respective positions and settlement alternatives. Sometimes "shuttle" mediation, in which the mediator meets with one side and then the other to bring the parties closer to the middle ground, can be effective. Shuttle mediation allows each party to be more open with the mediator regarding their evaluation of the case. When appropriate, the mediator can then discuss with each party what part of its demands or expectations are unrealistic. Unlike arbitration in which the arbitrator makes the decision, mediation is only final and binding if the parties agree. This agreement is then reduced to a writing which is signed by the parties. If the parties agree, all communications during mediation can be confidential and inadmissible in court if the parties are unable to come to an agreement.

Uses for Mediation You Probably Never Considered

Conflict Prevention. Mediators don’t always help parties end relationships; sometimes they help parties form them. Mediators can also assist parties in modifying agreements that govern these relationships.

Case Assessment. Parties to a dispute are sometimes unsure whether or their dispute ready or appropriate for Mediation. A session with a mediator could enable the parties to: (1) understand the benefits of mediation; (2) determine whether the dispute is appropriate for mediation; (3) assess whether the dispute is ripe; and (4) locate an appropriate mediator.

Convening. A mediator can be retained to discuss the advantages that mediation would offer in the instant dispute and to persuade the recalcitrant party to at least try mediation for a session.

Managing Information Gathering. Parties to a lawsuit can employ a mediator to: (1) help develop a document production process; (2) create discovery schedules; (3) resolves disputes over document production and interrogatory submission; (4) resolve disputes arising during depositions; (5) help the parties interpret vague court orders; and (6) productively use court mandated settlement conferences.

Expert Coordination. A mediator can assist the parties to resolve issues arising out of the use of experts

Capability to conduct mediations in Baltimore City, Baltimore County, Frederick County, Howard County, Montgomery County and Washington, DC

Telephone: 301-384-9579 
     
Fax:            240-331-2405        

P.O. Box 4783, Silver Spring, MD 20914

E-Mail: [email protected]