In light of the ever increasing use of ADR to resolve civil litigation in South Carolina, The Dooley Law Firm, P.A. now has two attorneys who are certified mediators.  Rob Newton has been certified as a family court mediator by the South Carolina Board of Arbitrator and Mediator Certification since 2000.  Bert Dooley was certified as a circuit court mediator in 2007.

ADR consists of either mediation or arbitration.  Mediation is an informal process in which a third-party mediator facilitates settlement discussions between parties.  Any settlement is voluntary.  In the absence of settlement, the parties lose none of their rights to trial. 

Mediation is being implemented by the Courts of South Carolina as a means to assist people in resolving their disputes quicker and, in many instances, less expensively.  It is now mandatory in several counties throughout South Carolina (including Lexington and Richland) that the parties to a lawsuit attempt mediation as a means to resolve their dispute prior to their case being scheduled for an actual trial.

Mr. Newton and Mr. Dooley have many years of experience in the substantive areas of the law in which they mediate cases.  They each bring a wealth of experience and training with them to the mediation table.  They are both available to assist attorneys and litigants in resolving their disputes through the mediation process. 

For more information on ADR in South Carolina, please take this link to the South Carolina Bar Association ADR Web site or feel free to contact The Dooley Law Firm, P.A. if you believe we can assist you with your ADR needs.