How Mediation Works

Houston, Texas Mediator

Jacqueline Armstrong

A means of alternative dispute resolution (ADR), mediation bypasses the adversarial nature of litigation and allows the parties themselves to craft their own resolution of their dispute through direct communication. The office of Houston, Texas, mediator Jacqueline A. Armstrong focuses on providing guidance and representation to individuals seeking to resolve any of a variety of disputes through mediation. Contact mediator Jacqueline Armstrong today to learn more about how she and her staff can help you.

The alternative to mediation is a lawsuit. If litigation begins, the process is a legal battle between lawyers, the result of which is absolute victory or defeat. In a lawsuit, it is not uncommon for the amount you pay in legal fees and litigation expenses to exceed the money involved in the dispute. Parties can wait for up to a year before the case even goes to trial, and appeals can take many years.

Mediation is much more cost-effective and takes much less time. It is private, confidential, and the information you share in mediation cannot be used against you in court. Most important, the resolution you obtain through mediation may be far superior to anything you could obtain through the courts. This is because in mediation, the parties remain in control of the outcome instead of relying on outsiders, such as a judge, jury, or government agency, to decide between a very limited number of solutions.

Mediator Jacqueline Armstrong encourages clients to use mediation to resolve a wide variety of disputes. A trial attorney with 20 years of experience, she is familiar with the legal solutions available to clients and highly trained in problem solving. However, her true strength is her insight into people and her ability to keep things moving forward in a respectful and positive way as you work toward the solution that works best for you.

The Mediation Process:

The mediation format itself is quite simple with three basic stages:

1. A joint meeting or “fact exchange,” in which each side is given the opportunity to explain its position to the mediator and to the other side; and
2. A series of private sessions between the mediator and each party, called “caucuses,” in which the mediator works with the parties, using shuttle diplomacy to analyze the dispute and help them negotiate a resolution that works for both;
3. A final session to draft an agreement and obtain closure for all involved.

The only way to lose in the mediation process is to fail to resolve the dispute. Contact Houston, Texas, mediator Jacqueline Armstrong today to discuss your situation and find out if mediation would be a good way for you to resolve the problem. Appointment times are flexible for your convenience.

Jacqueline A. Armstrong

11111 Katy Freeway, Suite 910
Houston, TX 77079-2119
Phone: 713.973.5711
Fax: 713.973.5710
E-mail • Map and Directions

The office of Houston, Texas, mediator Jacqueline A. Armstrong is conveniently located in the Energy Corridor and serves clients in communities such as Katy, the Woodlands, Kingwood, Friendswood, Humble, Pearland, Tomball, Pasadena, Galveston, Bellaire, Texas City, Baytown, Harris County, Galveston County, Brazoria County, Fort Bend County, Waller County, Grimes County, Montgomery County, Liberty County, Chambers County, and all of the surrounding areas.