Foster, Swift, Collins & Smith, P.C.

  • Established in 1902
  • Firm Size 97

  • Peer Reviews

    4.7/5.0 (225)
  • Profile Visibility [ i ]
    • #4 in weekly profile views out of 259 Law Firms in Lansing, MI
    • #376 in weekly profile views out of 314,785 total law firms Overall
Attorney Awards
  • Martindale-Hubbell Peer AV Preeminent Rating
  • Champion Badge Reviewed
About Attorney Awards

Arbitration & Mediation

When time, money or privacy are a concern, arbitration and mediation offer clients other options.

Arbitration provides an alternative to trial by having one or three persons hear each party's position and make a decision which is binding on the parties. The intent of this process is that it be more expeditious and less expensive than trial.

Mediation affords privacy not available in litigation. There is no public filing and the mediation process is not open to the public. As a result, adverse publicity may be avoided. The parties agree at the beginning of their process that whatever is said in their mediation sessions will be kept confidential and will not be used in any litigation that might follow.

Unlike litigation, in which a judge or jury determines the outcome, the mediator has no authority to impose a settlement. Whether the parties settle is a decision that rests exclusively with them. This process also offers flexibility for parties to fashion a settlement that a judge or jury is not likely to be able to.

Since statistics show that cases tend to settle, the question becomes when, not if, a case will settle. If settlement is reached early in the process as opposed to on the eve of a trial, valuable resources are saved. Parties who are interested in cooperative problem solving are rewarded by saving time, money, maintaining privacy and possibly preserving a relationship beneficial to them.

A settlement entered through mediation provides finality. Although most parties embroiled in litigation focus on trial as the end of their dispute, the reality is that trial may be followed by years of (lengthy and expensive) appeals or actions necessary to collect a judgment.

Contracts may provide for mediation as a required method of dispute resolution before arbitration or litigation.

Foster Swift has been named a Tier 1 firm in Arbitration and Mediation in Lansing and Grand Rapids by U.S. News – Best Lawyers® "Best Law Firms" in 2014 and 2016.

REPRESENTATIVE EXPERIENCE

Prevailed in Various Union Arbitrations Within Nursing Homes

Arbitration: Dismissal of a Veteran Employee

Favorable Mediation Award Obtained

Arbitration of Large Complex Cases

$2,000,000 Construction Claim Arbitration

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Stephen Smith
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St. Joseph, MI

Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law, Agricultural Law, Business Law, Construction Law, Contracts, Debtor & Creditor, Finance, Foreclosure, Landlord & Tenant, Planning & Land Use, Property Tax Law, Real Property Law, School Law Services, Zoning, Corporate & Incorporation, Estate Planning View More

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Grand Rapids, MI

Federal Taxation, Family Owned Businesses, Business Succession Planning, Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Administration, Tax Law, Tax Exempt Organizations, Business & Corporate, Agri-Business, Business Law, General Counsel, Trusts & Estates, Business Contracts, Probate & Estate Planning, Taxation View More

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Farmington Hills, MI

Appellate Practice, Business & Commercial Litigation, Construction Contracts, Construction Law, Environmental Law, General & Commercial Litigation, Negligence Law, Real Property Law View More

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Southfield, MI

Business & Corporate, Elder Law, General & Commercial Litigation, Litigation, Probate & Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Litigation, Trusts & Estates, Probate View More

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Southfield, MI

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Lawrence Korolewicz
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Grand Rapids, MI

Construction Contracts, Construction Law, Employment Law, General & Commercial Litigation, Insurance Coverage, Insurance Regulatory & Compliance, Insurance and Indemnity Law, Litigation, No-Fault Litigation View More

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Matthew Fedor
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Southfield, MI

Business Law, Business Purchase & Sale, Business Succession Planning, Elder Law & Advocacy, Elder Law & Disability Rights, Probate & Estate, Probate & Estate Planning, Trust & Estate Administration, Probate, Trust & Estate Litigation, Wills & Trusts View More

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James Doezema
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Grand Rapids, MI

Organization & Planning, Real Estate & Bankruptcy Law, Agri-Business, Business Law, Entity Selection, Finance, General & Commercial Litigation, Litigation, Real Estate Litigation, Real Property Law, Zoning & Land Use View More

Peer Reviews

4.7/5.0 (225 reviews)

  • Legal Knowledge

    4.7/5.0

  • Analytical Capability

    4.7/5.0

  • Judgment

    4.7/5.0

  • Communication

    4.7/5.0

  • Legal Experience

    4.7/5.0

  • 5.0/5.0 Review for Michael Oliva by a Partner on 07/27/14 in Administrative Agency Practice

    I've known Mike for almost 40 years. He's a first-rate lawyer and a first-rate individual.

    Flag review

  • 5.0/5.0 Review for Michael Oliva by a Sole Practitioner on 07/19/14 in Business Law

    An absolutely excellent attorney.

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