Bonnie Blume Goldsamt, MA, JD, APM, SM

• Named as one of "New Jersey's Top" ten mediators (NJBIZ, May 2008).
  
• Recognized as a "Legend of ADR," NJSBA, 2007.
  
• Court approved and trained foreclosure mediator.
  
• Read Bonnie's latest article in the New Jersey Law Journal: Top 10 Ways to Advocate in Mediation
  
• Experienced Mediation Trainer

Bonnie’s approach to resolving Disputes: 

When I first started practicing law, I worked at a large firm and handled lots of court cases. After representing clients in family and business matters for many years, the thrill of winning wore off. It dawned on me that litigation was very costly, not only in terms of time an money, but the most painful, stressful and least satisfying process imaginable. Cases were taking too long and costing too much and clients, despite great efforts,  did not always get what they wanted from the Court. Eventually, I began to think that. “There had to be a better way for people to resolve disputes.” In 1990, I. became an early advocate and prime mover of conflict resolution (including mediation and arbitration) in New Jersey. Today my practice focuses on mediation, arbitration and collaborative dispute resolution (see below). My clients find this to be faster, less stressful and much more affordable. Moreover, people who participate in processes, such as mediation and collaborative law, appreciate it as a private, compassionate and dignified way to divorce.

What is Mediation?

Mediation is the process where an impartial, unbiased facilitator (“neutral”) assists the parties in resolving conflict. It is a sane, rational approach to problem solving. Mediation is confidential and private. Confidentiality is important because it creates an atmosphere for open and candid discussion. The mediator helps the parties to define issues, gather facts and information and develop options to create a settlement that is satisfactory and works for the parties. In mediation all agreements are made by the parties and are not imposed by the court or a third party. Mediation is less costly and time consuming than litigation. 

 

What is Collaborative Divorce? 

Collaborative Divorce is a process by which parties working with counsel and other helping professionals, sharing information,  reach a mutually agreeable settlement through conferences and discussions.he parties, along with their attorneys, mental health professionals  and financial specialists seek a more constructive model based on mutual  respect.

Collaborative Practice is a reasonable approach to divorce based on threeprinciples: 

1. We pledge not to go to Court 

2. We participate in an honest exchange of information and 

3. We come to a solution taking into account the highest priorities of both spouses and any children.

 What is the difference between Mediation and Collaborative law?
 

          Although both mediation and collaborative divorce are similar forms of alternate dispute resolution, there is a difference. In divorce mediation the spouses negotiate on their own behalf. The attorneys stay in the background, giving advice and counsel from time to time, as needed; and review the final agreement. In collaborative law practice, the parties and their separate attorneys meet openly together and come up with solutions as a group effort.

Mediation Training:

          Bonnie Blume Goldsamt has been teaching mediation at the New Jersey Institute For Continuing Legal Education for over 10 years. She has also conducted Mediation   classes at the ABA Conventions and for variousprofessional groups.   Ms. Goldsamt provides customized special training services for corporations, institutions and private organizations.