Alternative dispute resolution (ADR) is used to resolve claims and disputes outside of traditional courtroom litigation. It is often faster and less expensive than taking a case to trial in open court. It can shield clients from large jury verdicts. And it can also minimize publicity and keep private disputes out of the public eye.

Because of its efficiency and other advantages, we encourage our clients to consider alternative dispute resolution methods whenever possible.

We provide a range of ADR services, including:

• Mediation and arbitration preparation and enforcement
• Arbitration - as neutrals and advocates
• Mediation - as neutrals and advocates

Our attorneys have extensive experience representing parties as advocates in both venues. We also have experience preparing and conducting mini-trials and summary jury trials as a means of evaluating cases set for trial.

Why ADR?

The two most commonly employed "alternative" methods of resolving a dispute without resorting to a traditional trial are arbitration and mediation. They are distinctly different procedures and each has a significant place in the system.

• Arbitration: Arbitration involves a hearing before one or more judges. The result is binding or judicially enforced. This proceeding does not necessarily take place in a courtroom.
• Mediation: Mediation is a non-binding voluntary process of negotiation. A neutral party serves as the mediator. Case settlement requires the agreement of all parties. This confidential process often produces creative resolutions to complex cases.

Each process is voluntary, except in jurisdictions where mediation is mandated in conjunction with a traditional court proceeding, so access to one or both of these processes is a matter of contract. The parties to a transaction often include as part of their overall agreement an ADR clause.

When employed in business or employment planning processes, ADR contract clauses can assist our corporate clients with internal dispute management and prevention procedures. This can provide for the quick resolution of conflicts, while still considering the interests of all parties.

Veteran legal team

Our ADR attorneys resolve disputes in a wide variety of legal areas. We have seasoned attorneys who know how to negotiate in hostile circumstances. Many are certified to provide alternative dispute resolution services.

Nexsen Pruet recognizes the importance of having lawyers that reflect the broad diversity within our client base, our jury system, our colleagues, and our community at large.  To that end, we are committed to recruiting minority candidates, reducing minority attrition, supporting minority organizations, and expanding and improving our diversity program.  We also recognize that the pursuit of a diverse workplace is, and should be, ongoing. 

As a means of promoting these interests, we created the Nexsen Pruet Diversity Scholarship Program. Prior to creating the scholarship, we completed a written plan that identified methods by which the firm could recruit, hire, and retain minority lawyers. The plan includes expanding our recruitment efforts to other law schools, increasing recruitment of lateral minority and female candidates, and continuing to develop and enhance our relationships with minority law organizations such as the Black Law Students Association.  Our goal is to identify qualified minority candidates who may be potential members of the firm.

Nexsen Pruet understands the need for and value of increased diversity, and we are strengthening and building upon our commitment to provide an inclusive environment within our firm.  As such, we will maintain a continuing focus on doing whatever we can to achieve the important and necessary goal of diversity.

Nexsen Pruet Diversity Scholarship

Strengthening the Lawyers of Tomorrow...Today

   The Nexsen Pruet Diversity Scholarship aims to:  

• Support diversity within our firm and the bar  
• Enhance educational opportunities for talented minorities in the field of law  
• Inform minority law students of opportunities for private practice in the Carolinas   

The Scholarship Program will award $3000 to one or more exceptional first year minority law students planning a career in North or South Carolina.   

All scholarship recipients will be considered for summer employment in one of the Nexsen Pruet offices upon completion of their first year of law school.  Scholarship recipients are invited to re-apply for additional scholarships during their second and third years of law school.   

 Eligible students must be attending one of the following schools:

• University of North Carolina School of Law
• University of South Carolina School of Law
• Wake Forest University School of Law 
• North Carolina Central University School of Law 
• Charleston School of Law
• Charlotte School of Law