What is “Mediation”?
Mediation is a method of resolving issues between two or more parties without resulting in litigation. Mediation makes use of a neutral third party, a “mediator,” to help guide the parties to the dispute toward a solution that all can agree to. Most commonly, meditation is a voluntary method of alternative dispute resolution, but on occasion, the court may order the parties to attend mediation in order to reach an agreement.
Isler Dare Partner Eric Paltell has been mediating employment disputes since 1997 and is now recognized as one of the leading mediators in Virginia, Maryland and the District of Columbia. As a seasoned labor and employment attorney, Eric has an exceptional breadth of experience in all aspects of employment disputes.
Eric began his mediation career nearly 30 years ago as a pro bono mediator with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission in Baltimore, where he helped establish one of the Agency’s first voluntary mediation programs. Over time, he developed a reputation as an even-handed and skilled mediator who took time to carefully listen to the parties and worked diligently to get the case resolved. When Eric left the program to relocate to Virginia in 2021, he had the highest resolution rate of any pro bono mediator in the Commission’s Baltimore office.
In addition to his experience with the EEOC, Eric has served as a mediator with a number of Maryland Circuit Courts and is certified to mediate in Virginia by the Supreme Court of Virginia. He has also been a member of the International Institute for Conflict Prevention and Resolution’s Panel of Distinguished Neutrals.
Eric is available to mediate cases in person or via Zoom. In-person mediations may be conducted in Isler Dare’s Tysons Corner, Columbia, or Richmond offices, as well as the offices of counsel.
Mediation inquiries may be directed to Eric at epaltell@islerdare.com or Bobbi Hailey at bhailey@islerdare.com.
References
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: Eric is “fully prepared, knowledgeable, persuasive, and perhaps more importantly, empathetic and patient when dealing with me and my client”
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: “I believe that his career as a management-side employment attorney lends credibility to his arguments and adds persuasiveness to his position when talking to employers”
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: “He did an excellent job of understanding the personalities and being sensitive to those personalities as well as identifying their needs”
Defense Lawyer: Eric displayed “empathy with each side’s position, respectfulness to the parties, a good sense of timing, and true impartiality”
Defense Lawyer: “Eric is persistent – a settlement was achieved only after a herculean effort by him”
Defense Lawyer: Clients “like his demeanor and the fact that he understands the case without any wasted time or effort”
EEOC Official: Eric is “especially effective in managing the parties’ expectations” and “remaining neutral throughout the dispute”
Defense Lawyer: “You helped the parties achieve what I believe is a very fair and reasonable settlement in a difficult case, and did so with grace and humor. “
Plaintiff’s Lawyer: “Mr. Paltell is a skillful mediator because he is patient, knowledgeable, tenacious, and respectful. I will undoubtedly, call on his skills again.”
Additional references are available upon request.
Representative Cases
· Multiple wage and hour collective and class actions in Maryland, DC and Virginia
· Whistleblower claims
· Executive severance disputes
· Restrictive covenant litigation
· Breach of contract claims
· Sexual harassment
· Racial harassment
· Gender-identity discrimination
· Age discrimination
· Sex discrimination
· Race discrimination
· Disability discrimination
· Pregnancy discrimination
· Religious discrimination
· National origin discrimination
· Equal Pay Act claims
· SOX claims
· Retaliation claims
· FMLA claims
· Sex trafficking
· Business partnership dissolution
Fee Structure
For most mediations, Eric charges a flat fee. The fee includes time spent reviewing mediation statements,
pre-mediation calls with counsel, local travel time, and a mediation session of up to 10 hours. If the mediation extends beyond 10 hours, the parties are charged hourly. Unless other arrangements are made, the mediation fee is shared equally, and counsel is responsible for any unsatisfied fee obligations.
In some cases, the fee arrangement is adjusted based upon the nature of the case or the jurisdiction in which the matter is pending.
Half-day fee arrangements are available upon request.