At James Bates, we believe that legal disputes should be resolved as quickly as possible, and at a cost that is reasonably related to the complexity of the case and legal and factual issues involved. For this reason, we often recommend that our clients’ disputes be submitted to mediation or arbitration.
Mediation is a process in which two or more persons submit their dispute to a trained and neutral mediator in hopes of reaching a settlement The participants communicate their positions to the mediator in a confidential manner, and the mediator then attempts to assist these individuals in reaching a reasonable, fair and acceptable result. A good mediator will help each party arrive at an informed and cost effective resolution of the conflict.
Arbitration, unlike mediation, is a binding procedure in which a neutral arbitrator conducts a hearing, and then makes a final decision after considering any and all evidence presented from both sides. The decision of the arbitrator usually becomes confirmed by the court, and then may be entered as a final judgment.
Judge Bryant Culpepper is a trained and registered mediator and arbitrator in the State of Georgia. He has twenty-five years of judicial experience in many areas of the law. Judge Culpepper retired from the Superior Court of the Macon Judicial Circuit in 2007. Since joining James Bates as “of counsel,” Judge Culpepper has devoted a large part of his practice to the successful settlement of cases through the mediation process. His services are also available to our clients in case analysis, discovery and litigation planning, as well as trial preparation.
