Mediation

Conflict is common and people often need outside help to resolve disputes. However, not everything needs to turn into a court case.

Lawyer G.R. (Randy) Akin, P.C. offers mediation outside the courts to save time, stress, and money in Longview, TX.

This Texas attorney has earned a reputation as a dependable, fair mediator who works hard to find mutually beneficial solutions. 

Mediation

Conflict is common and people often need outside help to resolve disputes. However, not everything needs to turn into a court case.

Lawyer G.R. (Randy) Akin, P.C. offers mediation outside the courts to save time, stress, and money in Longview, TX.

This Texas attorney has earned a reputation as a dependable, fair mediator who works hard to find mutually beneficial solutions. 

What Is Mediation? 

Mediation is a path to dispute resolution that helps clients in Longview and throughout Texas avoid lengthy courtroom litigation. Instead of determining who is at fault, a mediator allows you to instead focus on compromise and cooperation as a solution. 

Finding out who is right or wrong is less important in mediation than determining how the problem can be resolved. Should this alternative method fail to reach a mutually agreeable solution, the parties involved still have the option to turn to the courts for relief.

What Does the Mediator Do?

As a mediator, Mr. Akin's role is to act as a neutral third party in a structured negotiation that allows the parties involved to work out a mutually beneficial resolution to their problem.

Mr. Akin will help both parties find common ground, offer creative solutions to the issues being discussed, and assist in drafting a final settlement.

Choosing to work with an experienced mediator is particularly helpful in preserving business and personal relationships that otherwise could be damaged by years of adversarial litigation in the courts. 

The Mediator Helps  Find Common Ground

/

Although Mr. Akin is a lawyer, as a mediator he does not offer legal advice nor provide a decision. Instead, he will help both parties reach an agreement on their own. However, the parties in the mediation can seek the help of an experienced attorney to advise them. 

Need Help Settling a Dispute?  Request a Consultation Today

While our law firm is known throughout East Texas as a strong advocate that takes on even the most difficult cases, we can also help people looking to resolve disputes without turning to the courts.

Mr. Akin is frequently sought out to act as a fair and impartial mediator for people who would like to avoid the expense and time involved in a formal lawsuit. 

Our Longview lawyers offer mediation services in Texarkana, Dallas, Houston, TX, and throughout Texas. 

(903) 297-8929

Randy Akin
Seeking out a mediator like Mr. Akin from an established and trusted law firm can help you reach a settlement beneficial to all the parties in the dispute.
"Randy and his team are true professionals. Highly recommended." Christopher Hernandez, 5-Star Google Review

Why Choose Our Longview Firm for Mediation

Mr. Randy Akin

Qualified
Mediator 

Mr. Akin has been serving as a trained mediator in Longview and Texas since 1989 and handles around 80 disputes each year. These include cases from both state and federal courts. He regularly travels to Texarkana, Dallas, and Houston, TX, to serve as a mediator.

Mr. Akin with client

Respected
Attorney

As a highly trained attorney with his own Texas law firm, Mr. Akin is a lawyer who's well qualified to fairly mediate and help resolve disputes that often end up in court, including divorce conflicts and family law. Among his many accolades, he has been recognized as a Texas Super Lawyer® from 2008 to 2019.

Mr. Randy Akin

Approachable,
Trustworthy

No stuffed shirt, Mr. Akin exemplifies the approachable, impartial, and trustworthy traits that can help parties reach across the divide. Mr. Akin helps his Texas clients reach a settlement that is mutually beneficial and avoids the acrimony that could create problems in the future. 

How Much Does Mediation Cost?

Mr. Akin's Fees for Mediating in Lawsuits

Effective January 1, 2024

Jurisdiction / Time Cost
Federal Court Case — Full Day $2,250.00 per party
State Court Case — Full Day $2,000.00 per party
Federal Court Case — Half Day $1,250.00 per party
State Court Case — Half Day $1,150.00 per party

IP Cases: $15,000 per day
(divided equally between parties)


Travel Costs

Mr. Akin will be glad to travel to your location to mediate your case.
If you would like to inquire about Mr. Akin traveling elsewhere, please contact our Longview law firm.
Otherwise, his standard travel rates are as follows:
 

City Travel Cost
Texarkana $350 per party
Dallas $350 per party
Houston $350 per party

Mediation Is a Form of Alternative Dispute Resolution

Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) refers to the different ways one can resolve a problem without ever going to court. Mediation is a form of ADR, as are arbitration and neutral evaluation. ADR methods can result in a neutral, mutually beneficial result without the stress of a court proceeding.

Mediation is often less stressful than arbitration and other ADR methods, making it an ideal way to sort out civil cases like family law. Lawyers act as neutral parties in ADR proceedings to help clients move smoothly toward their goals.

Ready to learn more about how our lawyers can help you achieve a neutral, mutually beneficial result through mediation? Call our Longview, TX, office to speak with a lawyer:

(903) 297-8929

Attorney Randy Akin has served as a trained mediator in Longview and Texas since 1989 and handles around 150 disputes yearly. 

Which Types of Cases Can Go to Mediation?

Most civil cases, such as divorce, can take advantage of mediation. Among the cases that can be mediated are:

  • Landlord-tenant issues
  • Probate cases
  • Consumer protection cases
  • Real estate disputes
  • Divorce
  • Family law cases

How Mediation Works

Although there are many styles of mediation, most follow a similar timeline:

Mr. Akin has earned a reputation as a dependable, fair mediator throughout the Longview area.
Mr. Akin has earned a reputation as a dependable, fair mediator throughout the Longview area.

Introduction

This stage involves introductions, an explanation of mediation rules, and encouragement on each side to cooperate towards a mutually beneficial settlement. Depending on the type of case, the parties may or may not have an attorney join them during mediation. 

Opening Statements

If the situation calls for it, we will typically allow each party to describe what they believe the dispute is about and how they are affected by it. When one party is speaking, the other is generally not allowed to interrupt.

Joint Discussion

As a mediator, Mr. Akin may encourage the parties to respond to the opening statements at this stage. 

Private Caucus

Each party will meet individually with the mediator to discuss their position and new ideas for settlement. The mediator then moves from party to party, attempting to minimize the disagreements on each trip.

Joint Negotiation

In rare cases, the mediator might bring parties back together to negotiate directly. Typically, the parties don't meet again until a settlement is reached or the time allotted for mediation ends. 

Closure

If a decision has been reached at the end of the mediation session, we will put the terms of the agreement into writing. We may ask all parties to sign the document. If no agreement is reached, the mediator will help the parties decide the next steps, such as meeting again. 

What Happens if No Agreement Is Reached?

If no agreement is reached at the end of a mediation session, the mediator can review the progress made and advise the clients of their options, such as resuming mediation at a later time, going to arbitration, or taking the case to court. 

"Mr. Akin exemplifies the approachable, impartial, and trustworthy traits that can help parties reach across the divide. Mr. Akin helps his Texas clients reach a settlement that is mutually beneficial."

Mediation Dos and Don'ts

In order for your lawyer to steer your mediation in a successful direction, cooperation must come from all parties. Here's a quick overview of the mediation room tips Mr. Akin uses to make the process as smooth as possible:

Mediation Tips

Attorney Randy Akin prepares clients for what may lay ahead in the mediation room with a discussion of his Five C's of Mediation. Mr. Akin developed these tips over his 30-plus years of mediation experience. They include:

  • Courtesy
  • Comfort
  • Commitment
  • Control 
  • Compromise

Explore these five rules to achieve a healthy and productive mediation session.

Mediation Killers

Alternatively, specific issues can throw the mediation session off course. Attorney Randy Akin calls these problems "mediation killers":

  • Moving in opposite directions
  • No authoritative party present
  • New details arise
  • Information is missing
  • Disputed, unresolved discovery

Explore these five mediation killers and how to avoid them to get the most out of your mediation session.

Randy Akin and Greg Burton

G.R. Akin, P.C.

Randy Akin and Greg Burton have more than 50 years of combined experience. They are affiliated with several professional associations, including:

  • Texas Bar Foundation
  • State Bar of Texas
  • Gregg County Bar Association

Contact us online to ask a question or call us at (903) 297-8929.

Get In Touch Today

Rate, Review & Explore

Social Accounts Sprite