Frequently Asked Questions

Mediation is a private, voluntary process where a neutral third party (the mediator) helps disputing parties negotiate a mutually acceptable agreement. Unlike a court trial — where a judge or jury imposes a binding decision after a lengthy, public, and costly process — mediation allows the parties involved to maintain control over the outcome and settle disputes privately.

Traditional lawsuits in California courts often take two to four years and can cost tens or hundreds of thousands of dollars in attorney fees. Led by David Schlueter — who brings nearly 40 years of trial litigation experience — NS Mediation Group helps you resolve disputes in a fraction of the time and cost while keeping your business, financial, and personal affairs completely confidential.

Yes. When both parties reach an agreement and sign a written settlement under California Evidence Code Section 1123, it becomes an enforceable, legally binding contract that can be filed with the court as a final judgment.

We offer alternative dispute resolution (ADR) across seven core practice areas:

• Business Litigation (breach of contract, partnership dissolutions, trade secrets)
• Construction Disputes (contractor/owner claims, scope-of-work, CSLB arbitration)
• Real Estate (non-disclosure claims, boundary line issues, purchase/sale conflicts)
• Divorce & Family Law (high-asset division, spousal/child support, parenting plans)
• Elder Care & Adult Family Law (inheritance, power of attorney, long-term care plans)
• Landlord & Tenant Conflicts (commercial leases, damage claims, eviction alternatives)
• Personal Injury (motor vehicle accidents, premises liability, insurance claims)

While you are not strictly required to have an attorney present, we encourage parties to consult with independent legal counsel. A mediator acts as a neutral party and cannot provide legal advice to either side. Having counsel ensures you fully understand your legal rights before signing a binding agreement.

You can still contact us. If you are interested in mediation but the opposing party has not yet agreed, we can reach out to them or their legal counsel to explain the mediation process, highlight its benefits over trial, and invite them to participate.

The duration depends on the complexity of the case. Many straightforward personal, real estate, or business disputes can be settled in a single full-day (8-hour) session or a half-day (4-hour) session. Complex multi-party corporate or high-asset divorce disputes may require a series of sessions.

We recommend gathering key documents related to your dispute (such as contracts, financial statements, communications, or property valuations) and writing down a clear summary of your main goals and acceptable compromise terms. We will guide you through pre-mediation preparation prior to your session.

In-person sessions take place at our primary office located at 600 Hampshire Rd, Suite 211, Westlake Village, CA 91361 (serving Westlake Village, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Calabasas, and Ventura County). For Los Angeles-based matters, sessions can also be arranged at our affiliated Downtown Los Angeles AMCC location.

Our secure virtual mediation platform allows parties and their legal counsel to join remotely from anywhere in California. The virtual room includes private “breakout rooms” (caucuses), allowing mediator David Schlueter to speak confidentially with individual sides, just as he would in a physical conference room.

Yes. While our headquarters are in Westlake Village, CA, we routinely serve clients, corporate entities, and attorneys throughout Ventura County, Los Angeles County, Southern California, and statewide via our virtual mediation services.

Yes. Under California Evidence Code Sections 1115–1128, mediation communications, notes, and settlement offers are strictly confidential and cannot be used as evidence in court if the case proceeds to trial. This allows all parties to speak openly and explore creative solutions without fear of legal penalization.

Mediation fees are typically charged at an hourly or flat day rate, which is usually split equally between the participating parties. Because mediation resolves disputes in days or weeks rather than years, clients generally save tens of thousands of dollars compared to pre-trial discovery, depositions, and courtroom litigation.

David spent nearly four decades as a full-time trial lawyer before focusing on alternative dispute resolution. He is trained by Pepperdine University’s renowned Straus Institute for Dispute Resolution and serves as an official arbitrator for the California Contractors State License Board (CSLB). His deep litigation background allows him to offer realistic, trial-tested evaluations of legal risks.

Getting started is easy. You can fill out our online contact form or call our Westlake Village office directly at (818) 730-3127. We will perform a standard conflict-of-interest check, discuss your scheduling needs, and answer any initial procedural questions.