Ceravolo Law & Mediation Services

As a Certified Mediator and licensed Montana Attorney, let Vanessa's proven experience and success as a legal professional and mediator help you resolve your legal conflicts out of Court. Whether you need help with a dissolution of marriage, a parenting plan, a work-place or labor dispute, a construction or contract dispute, a landlord-tenant matter or other kind of conflict situation, mediation is often a better alternative to Court. The court system can be time consuming and expensive. Mediation can provide an economical and timely alternative with positive and lasting resolution for most conflict situations. If you want to save time and money, mediation is a viable alternative worth exploring before you go to Court. If you are already involved in a legal dispute in Court, you will usually be required to attend mediation to try to settle the matter before the Court will grant a hearing or trial. It just makes sense to begin with mediation services for resolution of most legal conflicts, including divorce.

As a long-standing District Court and Montana Supreme Court-appointed mediator, Vanessa has the know-how to successfully guide people to sustainable and satisfying outcomes. Conferences may be conducted in-person or online anywhere in Montana.

The Mediation Process

Vanessa serves as an impartial, neutral third party to facilitate resolution of disputes by promoting mutual, voluntary and informed agreements of the parties. The purpose of the mediation is to resolve the parties’ conflict. The Mediator will not make decisions for the parties, nor will the Mediator tell the parties what or who is “right” or “wrong." As a mediator, Vanessa is a neutral catalyst, who helps develop understanding between parties to empower them to civilly discuss and exchange their ideas for resolution of their situation. As the Mediator, Vanessa guides parties to determine the facts, clarify perspectives, identify the issues, explore each party's interests and needs, develop ideas and doable options for resolution. Mediation allows parties to resolve their issues in a civil and respectful way that not only meets their individual interests and needs, but also shared needs of the parties' relationship.

As a licensed attorney, Vanessa is further able to assist parties with the preparation of written Memorandums of Understanding, final Parenting Plans, Stipulated Settlement Agreements and any other legal documentation required to bring the parties' matter to its legal conclusion. Vanessa's office is able to electronically file all Court-required documents.

Mediation Sessions & Settlement Conferences

Mediation sessions and settlement conferences are scheduled based upon the nature and complexity of each case, including the factual and legal issues involved. Two-hour private party mediation sessions, half-day and full-day settlement conferences are available. Initial consultations and other client appointments are usually scheduled for an hour. Call or email to schedule your appointment.

Consultations & Limited Scope Representation

Vanessa may visit with each of the parties individually before conducting meditation to give each party the opportunity to discuss their perceptions of the conflict, to clarify each party's interests and needs, and to explore actions that can be taken to work toward agreement. It is Vanessa's goal as your mediator to help you achieve positive and lasting agreements. Vanessa strives to ensure timely, cost-effective, successful and fair resolutions for all parties' conflict situations. When deemed appropriate, Vanessa will recommend parties confer with outside, independent legal counsel to help improve the parties' success with mediation. Call or email to schedule your appointment.