Since 2017, Jill S. Bollwerk has been an active mediator and on the panel of mediation services at Lexitas ADR. She was trained in mediation disputes and is certified as a mediator by both the Missouri State and Federal Courts. Jill enjoys helping other attorneys and clients solve their disputes through alternative dispute resolution.
In today’s world, disputes and conflicts are more prevalent than ever. Mediation services can greatly reduce the expense for the parties in finalizing a dispute prior to the uncertainty of litigation. Jill has not only the technical requirements to become a mediator, but also, has spent time learning the psychology and thought process behind mediation through ongoing education in alternative dispute resolution.
But what is mediation and arbitration? Mediation and arbitration are forms of alternative dispute resolution, or ADR, that allow parties to finalize their disputes without the court system.
Mediation is a collaborative process where a mediator, which is a neutral third party, facilitates communication between the parties to assist them in reaching a satisfactory settlement agreement. A mediator does not make decisions for the party, nor does she give legal advice, but she guides the parties into finding some common ground. Mediation is particularly helpful in personal injury cases, and Jill spends most of her time mediating these types of disputes. Jill also has experience mediating disputes involving insurance contracts, probate estate disputes, and employment disputes.
Arbitration, on the other hand, is not about settling the case. Arbitration involves a neutral third party who acts as an arbitrator, or judge, who listens to both sides of the case and makes a decision. Arbitration is binding and the findings of the arbitrator are final. This is a more formal way to finalize a dispute than mediation but can be quicker and less costly than a jury trial.
Why choose Jill Bollwerk to mediate your disputes?
Jill has been mediating cases for several years and has become more and more involved as more attorneys have found value in her services. Jill finds that she is uniquely qualified in that unlike many mediators, she still litigates her own clients’ cases full time, which gives her a current and fresh perspective on what the parties will be dealing with if they litigate the case.
Furthermore, in delving further into mediation training, Jill has learned how to manage emotions and personalities of parties who are in the midst of conflict in an effort to try to meet the parties where they are at the start of the mediation.
Jill feels that every dispute is unique, and that she must tailor each mediation to fit the specific needs of the parties. Jill does not believe that mediation is cookie-cutter process and that most mediations need to be handled in an individual manner.
The best part about mediation is that it is confidential. This means that anything that is discussed at the mediation cannot be brought up in the trial of the case, in the event that the matter is not resolved through mediation. A mediator cannot be called to testify at trial about matters that were discussed during the mediation. Parties can feel confident that their efforts in trying to resolve the case won’t be used against them at a later date.
At Bollwerk & Associates, we are proud litigators, but we are also proud that Jill Bollwerk is experienced in alternate dispute resolution. Not every case needs to go to trial, and most cases settle before trial. Over the decades that Jill has been a trial lawyer, she has found value in alternative dispute resolution, and this is why she has chosen to become a mediator and arbitrator herself.
Can Jill Bollwerk Help With Your Mediation Needs?
If you have a case that you would like Jill to mediate, or if you need a qualified arbitrator, you can schedule services with Jill either by calling our office at (314) 315-8111, or you can schedule her services through Lexitas ADR. Here is a link to Jill’s calendar of availability on Lexitas: Lexitas Neutral: Jill Bollwerk