About ADR

About Alternate Dispute Resolution (ADR)

Alternative Dispute Resolution in General
About Arbitration
About Mediation
About ADR Education
About ADR System Design Services
In Summary

Alternate Dispute Resolution in General

Alternate dispute resolution, or "ADR", is a catchall term for a growing number of processes developed as alternatives to traditional court-based litigation. The high cost -- both financial and human -- of litigation has caused many businesses to look to sources other than the courts for resolution of their problems.

ADR includes processes such as arbitration and mediation, in which a neutral third party assists in the resolution of the dispute. Hybrids between these two models also exist, as do other completely different methods.

ADR has been increasingly attractive to businesses, as the cost of ADR is significantly lower than traditional litigation. Moreover, the time required to resolve a dispute through ADR can be measured in days, rather than the years it takes to navigate through traditional litigation.

In addition, all across the country, many state court systems are mandating ADR as a first step to bringing a civil suit.

About Arbitration

Arbitration is an alternative to traditional court-based litigation. In the process of arbitration, a neutral third party (or parties) is selected to hear a case. This third party is known as an arbitrator.

Before the hearing, the rules and procedures to be followed through the course of the proceeding are agreed to by the parties. The arbitrator then hears both sides of the case and issues an award to one side at the conclusion of the hearing.

Arbitration can be an excellent alternative to traditional court-based litigation. Usually, arbitration hearings are of much shorter duration than jury trials. The cost of arbitration is also much less than litigation, as expensive tactics utilized by lawyers such as extensive pre-trial discovery are simply not a factor in arbitration.

Since 1979, Robert A. Creo has served as an arbitrator on hundreds of occasions. His services have been used by many corporations, unions, and professional organizations.

About Mediation

Mediation is a process in which an impartial third party -- a mediator -- works with both sides to a dispute to reach a settlement of the claim that is amenable to both parties.

The mediator discusses the dispute with each party, working with each party in a confidential manner to attempt to find common ground between the parties. Building from this common ground, the mediator then obtains consensus and agreement between the parties.

Mediation can offer to businesses and individuals an attractive alternative to litigation. A successful mediation can be achieved in a fraction of the time required to litigate in court. Indeed, many mediations can be finished in one day. As such, the cost savings are tremendous.

Robert A. Creo offers mediation services to the business, professional, and legal community. He has served as a mediator on multiple occasions, and on claims involving personal injuries, employment discrimination, commercial disputes, and products liability.

About ADR Education

Robert A. Creo has presented numerous seminars, lectures, and programs on ADR over the course of his career, such as negotiation skills training sessions and programs on effective advocacy. Mr. Creo also frequently teaches Continuing Legal Education (CLE) classes on ethics.

Mr. Creo also serves as an adjunct professor at both Duquesne University School of Law and University of Pittsburgh School of Law in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He is also a National Faculty Member of the Pepperdine University School of Law Institute for Dispute Resolution, located in Malibu, California.

About ADR System Consulting and Design Services

A procedure for the harmonious resolution of a dispute can avoid costly lawsuits in the future.

Mr. Creo has designed alternate dispute resolution systems and procedures for hospitals, corporations, and governmental entities.

In Summary...

ADR can have a positive effect on you and your business, and Robert A. Creo can be the one to implement an ADR system at your company or perform ADR services for you.

Robert A. Creo has been deeply involved in the ADR movement since 1979. He has served both as a mediator and as an arbitrator in over 2,500 disputes. Mr. Creo's services are available to the business community at large.

Mr. Creo has presented multiple educational programs, seminars, lectures and classes on ADR and its role in the legal process. He is also the author of several articles and texts on ADR.