Mediator
239/403-9992 Mimi@PonderosaMediation.com
Ponderosa Mediation
Offering full-service mediation, arbitration and arb-mediation, handling disputes in civil litigation. After participating in many mediations during 29 years of practicing law, it is time to do what I love.
​​
-
Mediations offered in-person or online.
-
Full day (8 hours) or half day (3 hours)
Profile
Mimi started the practice of law in New Mexico 1993-1995 in the field of environmental law. After five more years practicing employment, oil & gas and real estate law in Oklahoma, Mimi moved to Southwest Florida and opened her own civil litigation firm in the areas of construction, collections, securities and real estate litigation, as well as commercial and business disputes. Her business steadily grew. In 2018, she spent a year fundraising as an Audubon chapter executive director, which convinced her to move to Montana in 2019.
​
Mimi is licensed to practice law in Montana, New Mexico and Florida.
In 29 years of practicing law, Mimi has participated in well over a hundred mediations, arbitrations and arb-mediations. She trained to become certified by the Florida Supreme Court as a Circuit Civil Mediator and recently completed the Montana Certified Mediator training. She has observed the very best mediators. She has developed skills and employed creative strategies during mediation to obtain the best possible results for her clients.
Mediation is just catching on in Montana. Mimi is excited to learn mediation the Montana way and bring her passion for mediation to Montana. She has a hands-on, evaluative approach to mediation.
I look forward to mediating your case.
Mediation Philosophy
Mimi believes in mediation. Here's why:
It Works
Finality
Reduces Costs
Mediations result in settlement
70-80% of the time*,
American Bar Association
and 85% of the time in
construction cases*.
American Arbitration Association
*
*Past results afford no guarantee of future results and every case is different and must be judged on its own merits.
​
The parties themselves, not the judge or jury, have control over the outcome and know what to expect when a mediated settlement is achieved.
​
-
Resolution today with a settlement agreement in-hand is truly a stressful burden lifted. Even if the parties are companies, achieving resolution for the company can be hugely satisfying.
-
If mediation is unsuccessful, trial or extensive appellate briefing is next. A final decision is out of the parties’ control. You never know how judges and juries will decide cases. No case is a slam dunk – they ALL have strengths and weaknesses.
Trial and appeals both are enormous undertakings, with expenses increasing sharply if the parties don't settle.
​
It is likely that no one wins even if one party wins completely at trial or on appeal:
-
Even if one party has their best day in court, perhaps they are not awarded attorney fees, which can exceed the judgment award.
-
Or perhaps the other party is not collectible.