No, we conduct all mediations remotely via Teams or Zoom. This enables us to mediate cases efficiently, regardless of where the parties, their counsel, and any insurance company rep are physically located.

Half day mediation sessions are sufficient for most cases. In a complex case with multiple parties, however, a full day may be necessary.

Yes, Ari Ramras is a provider for AAR. To initiate a mediation under the AAR rules, email the Request to Initiate Mediation form to ari@dirtmediation.com.

Our flat fee includes review of brief mediation memoranda only. However, feel free to attach something that you may want us to review during the mediation session. Alternatively, you can share your screen with any relevant documents.

We will break the parties up into different virtual breakout rooms, and go back and forth between rooms. If you want to confer with your lawyer privately, we can leave the room for a bit. If you need to reach us while we are in another room, you can use the Chat feature (the speech bubble) or just click “Ask for Help” in Zoom (not available in Teams).

Use our Settlement Value Calculator.

Mediation is a way to attempt to resolve your dispute without the time, expense, and risk of litigation or arbitration. Unlike a judge or jury in litigation, or an arbitrator in arbitration, we will not be making any decisions on the merits of the dispute. Instead, our role is to help the parties to communicate, exchange information, and negotiate; offer a neutral evaluation; and brainstorm possible resolutions. We can also help to memorialize any settlement reached.

No, there is no need to settle at the mediation. If you don’t settle, litigation or arbitration may continue or ensue. But just because no settlement is reached at the mediation doesn’t mean that you can’t settle later. You may realize during the mediation that more information or settlement authority is necessary. There can be great benefits to settling early, but some matters settle later, piggybacking on progress made in a mediation. In some situations, it can be helpful to have a second mediation session.

We charge a flat fee of $1,900 for a half day (up to 4 hours) and $3,800 for a full day (up to 8 hours). The fee includes review of brief mediation memoranda. It is typically split equally between the parties unless they otherwise agree.

Yes. Under Arizona's mediation privilege, communications during mediation are generally confidential and cannot be used later in litigation or arbitration, with limited statutory exceptions. Additionally, if you tell us something in one breakout room that you don't want shared in the other, just let us know — but keep in mind that the privilege is designed to encourage open dialogue.

No. We've mediated cases where one or both parties are unrepresented. In litigation, an entity (corporation, LLC, trust, etc.) must be represented by counsel, but in mediation we can dispense with that requirement if all parties agree. Note, however, that as mediators we cannot give legal advice — having a lawyer on your side is always beneficial. If you're unrepresented and would like a referral, we're happy to suggest counsel familiar with real estate disputes.