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.

If you’re involved in an employment dispute, you may feel overwhelmed, uncertain, or isolated. At The Noble Law i, we understand what’s at stake: your livelihood, reputation, and peace of mind. Employment mediation offers you the opportunity to resolve these issues without the public scrutiny or financial strain of a drawn-out court case.  

Our attorneys can guide you through the process, protecting your interests while working toward a resolution that allows you to move forward with clarity and confidence. 

With deep roots in North Carolina and a reputation for compassionate, effective legal advocacy, we are prepared to help you navigate the process in a way that supports your rights and protects your professional future by bringing creative problem-solving to the table. At the Noble Law, we work to deliver outcomes with integrity and empathy for your journey. 

What Is Employment Mediation? 

 Employment mediation is a confidential, voluntary process in which a neutral mediator helps the employee and employer resolve their dispute outside of litigation.  Amediator does not decide who is right or wrong or make any rulings or judgments but instead facilitates a structured dialogue, clarifies legal and factual issues, and assists the parties in identifying practical, mutually acceptable solutions. 

Unlike litigation, which is adversarial by nature, costly, uncertain, and public, or arbitration, where a third party imposes a binding decision, mediation allows both sides to remain in control of the outcome. Any agreement reached is entirely voluntary and becomes binding only with the consent of both parties. 

Because mediation is informal and flexible, it provides a setting where employees and employers can voice their concerns and work toward resolution without the burdens of formal legal proceedings. 

Types of Employment Disputes Suitable for Mediation 

Mediation may be particularly effective in employment disputes involving ongoing relationships, reputational concerns, or complex emotions. Its collaborative, confidential nature allows both sides to be heard and work toward a resolution.  

The following employment disputes may be especially well-suited for mediation due to their potential for creative and productive resolutions: 

• Wrongful termination 
• Workplace harassment 
• Wage and hour disputes 
• Employment contract disagreements 
• Retaliation and discrimination claims 
• Non-compete or severance disagreements

Mediation can also be used proactively to address workplace disputes before they escalate or serve as an alternative path to resolution after legal action has begun. In either case, it offers a collaborative means of resolving employment conflicts.

Benefits of Hiring a Chapel Hill Employment Mediation Attorney  

An attorney with experience in mediation in Chapel Hill brings: 

• Local understanding of North Carolina employment laws. North Carolina has its own set of rules, protections, and procedures that shape how disputes are handled. An attorney with local experience understands how laws like the North Carolina Equal Employment Practices Act and the North Carolina Retaliatory Employment Discrimination Act apply in real-world situations, and how those nuances can influence the outcome of your mediation. 
• Reduces business disruption and preserves professional relationships. Prolonged workplace disputes can distract leadership, strain teams, and disrupt day-to-day operations. Mediation offers a private, streamlined alternative that helps resolve conflicts efficiently without derailing productivity. It allows both parties to move forward, whether continuing the working relationship or parting ways on respectful, professional terms. 
• Experience in resolving emotionally charged workplace disputes. Workplace disputes involving discrimination, harassment, or retaliation are often emotionally charged and deeply personal. Effective mediation creates space for both sides to be heard and guides the process toward meaningful, constructive outcomes. 

What to Expect During the Mediation Process 

At The Noble Law, our clients are thoroughly prepared for every step of the mediation process, including: 

Pre-Mediation Meeting

If both parties agree to mediation and mediation is scheduled, your attorney will  meet with you prior to the scheduled mediation date to discuss: the nature of the dispute, clarify your objectives, prepare you for what to expect, and review any relevant documentation or evidence. This preparation helps ensure you enter mediation with a clear strategy and a solid understanding of your position. 

Mediation Session

The mediation is typically held in a neutral setting (such as the office of the mediator) or conducted virtually. Both parties will have the opportunity to share their perspectives, often through joint sessions and private caucuses. The mediator facilitates the discussion, and confidentiality is maintained throughout. 

Outcomes

Mediation may conclude with a written settlement agreement, continued discussions between the parties, or, if no resolution is reached, a decision to move forward with litigation. As noted, any agreement reached is voluntary and binding only if both parties consent in writing. 

Why Choose The Noble Law for Employment Mediation in Chapel Hill? 

The Noble Law stands out as a leader in employment law and a trusted advocate for employees in mediations in Chapel Hill. We are proud to be a women-owned firm with a culture rooted in diversity, equity, empathy, and integrity. Our attorneys are deeply committed to leveling the playing field for employees and resolving employment conflicts. 

Our team includes attorneys with decades of experience resolving complex employment law disputes, including founder Laura Noble, who is also a NCDRC-certified mediator with extensive courtroom experience. We have successfully guided numerous clients through the mediation process with outcomes that support forward progress or resolve disputes. 

Schedule a Confidential Consultation Today 

If you’re in Chapel Hill and considering mediation to resolve a workplace dispute, The Noble Law is here to support you. Call us or inquire online to schedule a confidential consultation. We offer a respectful, thoughtful space to explore whether it is the right approach for you.