Firm will now handle Alternative Dispute Resolution.

MacElree Harvey's Managing Partner, Lance J. Nelson, announced the formation of a Mediation practice group. The group will represent clients wishing to mediate disputes typically heard in Orphans' Court, as well as disputes concerning corporate, land use, estate, family or domestic issues. Mediators guide disputing parties to find their own resolution to a conflict, without a judge or third party involved in the decision-making.

Nelson explains, "We chose to expand our service offerings to meet the area's growing interest in alternatives to litigation. In many circumstances, mediation is a means by which the client can streamline the resolution timeline, retain control of the decision process, and avoid costly litigation. Our experienced trial attorneys have received mediation training and have already assisted many clients."

The MacElree Harvey Mediation team is co-lead by Mary Ann Plankinton (Family and Estate law and Orphans' Court) and John McKenna (Estate and Orphans' Court, Commercial and Civil litigation). Other members of the team include veteran attorneys Mary Ann Rossi (Land Use and Real Estate law), Louis Teti (Estate, Business, Real Estate and Tax law) and Harry DiDonato (Corporate, Real Estate, Banking and Tax law). Each of these attorneys is licensed to practice in the state of Pennsylvania and Mary Ann Plankinton is dual licensed and practices in both Pennsylvania and Delaware.

In addition to mediation, the group will provide settlement services, another route to dispute resolution without protracted litigation. John McKenna notes, "Many clients are war weary; they are interested in resolving their issues in a manner which doesn't disrupt their lives for months and drain their bank accounts." Mary Ann Plankinton adds, "The privacy afforded by mediation is another key driver for many clients. Knowing that the discussions are private alleviates some of the more painful aspects of a public trial."

Interest in mediation is growing in more than just Chester County. October 18, 2007 has been declared statewide Conflict Resolution Day by Governor Ed Rendell.

To learn more about Mediation, please refer to Mary Ann Plankinton's Winter 2006 Newsletter article Mediation - A Way of Resolution and John McKenna's August 2007 Newsletter article Advantages of Private Dispute Resolution

Click here to view Mary Ann Plankinton's biography.
Click here to view John McKenna's biography.