Mediation, Arbitration & ADR Services
Consider the economic and emotional savings to a client when a dispute can be resolved in less time, and with less cost and stress through the alternative dispute resolution (ADR) process.
Arbitration and mediation clients and their attorneys value a “real world” understanding of the adversarial model. As an experienced trial attorney now focusing his practice in mediation and arbitration, Douglas Coppola brings insight, experience and practicality. He has a proven track record of success in resolving significant personal injury and wrongful death cases in State and Federal Court.
- 35+ years trial experience for plaintiffs and defendants in significant cases
- 4,000+ case resolutions as mediator or arbitrator since 2000
- Over the past three years conducted 500+ mediations totalling $200 million+ in settlements; 1000 arbitrations as neutral or sole arbitrator
- Member of 8th Judicial District Court Rosters of ADR neutrals, court mediator commercial/civil matters and court arbitrators.
- 2007-2021 Who's Who in Law, Arbitration & Mediation, Buffalo Business First
- 2009-2024 New York Super Lawyers for Arbitration and Mediation
- Past President - WNY Trial Lawyers Association
- Past Chair and original member of the City of Buffalo Board of Ethics
- Charter Member, NY Chapter of The National Academy of Distinguished Neutrals
Typical Mediation Cases Offered for State or Federal Court Venues
- Wrongful Death
- Construction Accidents
- Serious Personal Injuries
- Product Liability
- Premises Liability
- Medical Malpractice
- Dental Malpractice
- Estate Litigation
- Business/Commercial Dispute
- Partnership Dissolution
- Insurance/Coverage Disputes
Mediation Works!
Mediation is a confidential process which allows the parties the opportunity to speak to each other through the mediator. A mediation is very different than a trial or other Court proceedings because mediation can be initiated pre-suit, pre-discovery or anytime during litigation up to the very end of the process shortly before jury selection. Mediation also can be employed post-verdict. There are no rules of evidence because mediation is an informal process. Mediation is very cost effective especially when compared with the tremendous cost associated with a trial.
It is a huge advantage to have the issues resolved in mediation because the issues are decided by the involved parties not by Courts or juries. Douglas Coppola has extensive trial experience, both for plaintiffs and defendants and the necessary legal skills to facilitate productive settlement discussions. As a mediator, Doug is not the decision-maker for the parties.
In the cases Doug has mediated in the past 10 years alone, more than 80% have settled through the initial mediation session or through the post-mediation follow-up discussions. Even for the most difficult cases, seeds for settlement are planted during mediation and the parties have a much clearer understanding of what benefits can be gained by settlement versus trial resolution.