Michigan is one of the more progressive states when it comes to encouraging parties to a dispute to seek resolution through the process of mediation.  Mediation is a process by which parties craft a settlement to their dispute by personally participating in the negotiations of the settlement.  Not only is the process of mediation highly successful, it has been found that, in the majority of cases which are settled through the mediation process, the parties who have continuing relationships (business, family, personal, or work) do not have recurring problems.  Our firm has established a department of highly qualified mediators.

Catherine A. Jacobs has extensive training and experience as a mediator.  She obtained the required 40-hour basic training for general civil mediation and for domestic mediation.  As a result of that training, she is a court-approved mediator for any matter brought in any tribunal.  Beyond the basic training, Ms. Jacobs has participated in multiple courses of advanced training, attended the Strauss Institute at Pepperdine Law School for advanced training, and is a trainer approved by the Supreme Court Administrators Office.  She is part of the training team for the basic 40-hour training offered at MSU Law School and Cooley Law School.  Ms. Jacobs currently serves on the Council of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Section of the State Bar of Michigan and is the chair of its Higher Education Action Team.  Ms. Jacobs is a member of the Board of Directors of the Dispute Resolution Center & Association, a non-profit center offering mediation services to the general public.  Ms. Jacobs’ mediation experience is extensive and covers the areas of all general civil law, and includes:  personal injury claims, commercial disputes, public administration issues, labor union issues, discrimination claims arising from employment, harassment in the work force, probate and trust issues, guardianship and conservator issues and domestic issues (including division of marital assets and settlement of financial issues in a divorce or separate maintenance, child custody and parenting time disputes, spousal support and child support).

Theresa A. Sheets has obtained the required 40-hour basic training for domestic mediation and is a court-approved mediator for all domestic matters.  Ms. Sheets has continued to participate in advanced training for mediators.  She has extensive experience as a mediator with regard to all domestic disputes, including division of marital assets and settlement of financial issues in a divorce or separate maintenance matters, child custody and parenting time disputes, spousal support and child support.