Ben Roper Mediation Services

I believe everyone in the legal field has a responsibility to take access to justice seriously. Everyday people should be able to afford help, and as professionals we should all incorporate meaningful efforts in our practices to make that happen.
Here's a sample of what I've done:

1. Intentionally setting an affordable hourly rate. Mine is $150. Divided by 2 clients, that's $75 per person per hour.

A month of mediation with me is $1500-$2000 total, or $750-$1000 per person. This includes mediation sessions, coaching, resources, homework/prep emails, and reports. Most files wrap up, or are about to wrap up, in 2 months or less.

2. Before I accept money from anyone, I give both parties a free 1-hour joint consultation to give them resources and information to help them decide how to deal with their situation - even if that's not hiring me.

3. Accurate expectations. Because I have built a process with predictable work, I can confidently give them a quote.

4. I don't charge clients for brief phone calls, quick emails, or administrative work. That means a chunk of my time on every file goes unbilled.

5. No surprises. My clients know about *literally* every piece of billed work before it happens. And I have a live fee-tracking system that is accessible by clients 24/7.

6. Letting clients do the work. My process empowers the parties to create proposals and prepare for mediation sessions on their own. This means they take work off my plate. That's not only more affordable - it also puts them in charge of their outcomes.

Reach out any time:
902-316-1114
[email protected]
www.benroper.ca

Here's a free (and key) bit of conflict/negotiation coaching:
PREPARE FOR "NO"

A mandatory first step in *every* one of my files is at least 2 private, individual sessions with each client. Why not just jump right into the mediation?

It's because not everyone who comes to a mediation is equally ready to negotiate. It might seem natural to some of us, but negotiation is a learned skill. So, I provide individual negotiation coaching as step 1. Here are a few things that I include:
- What is a proposal?
- Is there such a thing as a bad proposal?
- What do I need to think about when preparing proposals?
- How do I respond to a proposal? (There are 5 ways, FYI)

Parties are allowed to say "no" to each other's proposals. You have that right. But guess what? So does the other party. So, one of the most essential negotiation skills that I can coach is to prepare for "no." In other words: What are you going to do if the other party says no to your proposal? Where do you go from there?

The answer is actually pretty simple - you make a backup proposal. Put a different proposal together. In fact, you should prepare in advance for the other party to say no. Imagine what kinds of things will be attractive to the other party. What can you put in your proposal that will make them more likely to say yes next time?

It works! I find that after I've coached both parties on these skills - and other skills - we quickly start moving towards settlements.

I provide the tools, the process, and a safe space. The parties take it from there.

For more info:
www.benroper.ca
[email protected]
902-316-1114

Ben Roper Mediation Services | Halifax, Nova Scotia, & PEI Mediator Save time, money, and stress by Mediating your dispute. Legally-Trained Mediator for Family and Civil Disputes in Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island. Divorce mediation, Separation agreements.

I keep overhead (and client fees) low by using a home office and mediating via . When necessary I meet with clients in-person. It turns out that most of the time, my clients prefer working remotely!

One benefit to the remote work lifestyle is the freedom to occasionally set up in a cafe. This afternoon it’s emails/admin then a climb at SEVEN BAYS BOULDERING on Gottingen! Highly recommended.