Laura Noble is a certified mediator who concentrates her mediation practice in employment law. Before becoming a mediator, Laura was a litigator for 25 years with diverse experience in civil litigation, counseling, and negotiation. As an employment attorney, she has litigated on behalf of individuals with employment law claims and has acted as a trusted partner to business clients seeking advice, counsel, or neutral workplace investigations. Additionally, as a business owner herself, she understands the challenges of balancing company interests with the concerns of an individual who believes they may have been mistreated at work.
The distinctive benefit of mediation is that it allows the parties to select someone with specialized experience to help them resolve their dispute. Given her extensive background in employment law litigation, Laura can provide parties with insight about the challenges of litigation as they consider a compromised resolution in lieu of litigation. As someone who’s participated in countless mediations during her career Laura brings perseverance and creative problem-solving to the table. She uses her deep understanding of employment disputes to facilitate discussions that lead to effective dispute resolution.
There is more than one way to resolve an employment dispute. Mediation is an alternative dispute resolution (ADR) method that is often more effective than traditional litigation. In the context of employment disputes, mediation can help you find common ground and avoid the costly, time consuming and relationship-destroying hazards of a protracted legal battle.
An employment law attorney at The Noble Law provides trusted mediation services for a broad range of employment law disputes. Led by Laura Noble, a certified mediator with more than 25 years of civil litigation experience, we can provide you with the experienced, trusted and neutral mediation services you need to resolve your employment law disputes in a favorable and cost-effective manner.
Understanding the Role of Mediation in Employment Law
Mediation plays a significant role in resolving employment disputes in Charleston. Mediation involves the use of an impartial third party to facilitate dispute resolution. The affected parties make the actual decisions, not the mediator. Because all parties fully participate, they are often more likely to reach and respect the resolution than if they ended up in litigation and the court makes a ruling.
Mediation fosters open communication, preserves relationships, and offers a cost-effective alternative to litigation or arbitration.
We Handle Cases Involving…
- Workplace discrimination
- Sexual Harassment
- Retaliation
- Wrongful termination
- Breach of contract
- Non-compete agreements
- Wage and hour disputes
- Whistleblower claims
And any other unique situation you may have experienced at your place of employment. At The Noble Law, we are recognized for our competence and integrity in executing effective mediation services to negotiate a mutually agreed upon resolution.
Legal Framework for Employment Law Mediation in Charleston
A strong legal framework on both the federal and state level is in place to support employment law mediation in Charleston. For example, the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the South Carolina Human Affairs Commission, and the South Carolina Bar are among the national and state regulatory bodies encouraging the use of mediation as a dispute resolution method.
The South Carolina Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulation (LLR) offers mediation services “to resolve disputes over grievances, contracts and other labor matters.”
Advantages of Employment Law Mediation
The greatest advantages of choosing mediation to resolve employment disputes in Charleston concern time and money. Litigation is expensive, and there is always a risk factor when taking a case to trial. A judge or jury is not going to come up with creative options to resolve a dispute. When the parties choose mediation for dispute resolution, they may have the ability to resolve their differences in a way that benefits both sides.
Mediation empowers parties to maintain control over the outcome while preserving confidentiality. This method often leads to faster and more amicable resolutions compared to traditional litigation.
The Essential Role of a Charleston Employment Law Mediation Attorney
During employment law mediation, an attorney advocates for their client’s interests while promoting cooperation and compromise. The attorney acts in a problem-solving capacity and, while advocating for their client, seeks a mutually beneficial outcome.
They can also provide a cost-benefit analysis regarding litigation should both sides harden their positions. Knowledge of the sheer expense of litigation and related consequences can oftentimes foster cooperation.
We will work to negotiate an acceptable settlement for clients and draft enforceable agreements. Employment law settlements may involve both financial and non-financial components.
The Benefit of Specialized Experience in Mediation
Laura Noble is a certified mediator who concentrates her mediation practice in employment law. Before becoming a mediator, Laura was a litigator for 25 years with diverse experience in civil litigation, counseling, and negotiation. As an employment attorney, she has litigated on behalf of individuals with employment law claims and has acted as a trusted partner to business clients seeking advice, counsel, or neutral workplace investigations. Additionally, as a business owner herself, she understands the challenges of balancing company interest with the concerns of an individual who believes they may have been mistreated at work.
The distinctive benefit of mediation is that it allows the parties to select someone with specialized experience to help them resolve their dispute. Given her extensive background in employment law litigation, Laura can provide parties with insight about the challenges of litigation as they consider a compromised resolution in lieu of litigation. As someone who’s participated in countless mediations during her career Laura brings perseverance and creative problem-solving to the table. She uses her deep understanding of employment disputes to facilitate discussions that lead to effective dispute resolution.
The Mediation Process and Procedures
Mediation must take place in the county in which the dispute was filed. The mediation process requires attendance by all individual parties, or a representative from an insurer, corporation, or government agency with authority to settle a claim. While it is not imperative to have an attorney represent you during this process, it is certainly a wise move to have a legal professional on your side during mediation procedures.
As a neutral party, the mediator does not take sides. Unlike the arbitration process, the mediator does not decide for either party. Instead, mediation sessions are structured to achieve negotiation and compromise.
Before the mediation sessions begin, the mediator meets with each party and their attorney to discuss the specific issues. Not only are mediation discussions confidential, but the documents exchanged by the parties during the process are also confidential.
Collaborative Problem-Solving in Mediation
Collaborative problem-solving is the basis of successful mediation outcomes. The participants must communicate effectively and actively listen to what the other party is saying. They learn the other party’s perspective and can tailor a resolution that both sides find acceptable. The result is finding common ground to reach satisfactory solutions.
Contact a Charleston Mediation Attorney at The Noble Law
If you are dealing with an employment law issue and are considering an alternative route to reaching resolution, contact an experienced Charleston Mediation Attorney at The Noble Law Firm today. If you prefer, feel free to visit our office location and one of our attorneys can speak with you in person.
