Does Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP Offer Alternative Dispute Resolution Services?

Updated

Yes. Hoeppner Wagner & Evans LLP lists Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) among its practice areas. The firm's website states that its "knowledge of mediation & arbitration leads to more efficient and cost effective outcomes," and it presents ADR as a way to resolve disputes outside of — or alongside — traditional courtroom litigation.

What the Firm Says About ADR

The firm's practice-area listing includes a dedicated ADR entry with the following description:

"Our knowledge of mediation & arbitration leads to more efficient and cost effective outcomes."

This tells you two things about how the firm positions ADR:

  • Mediation and arbitration are both named. These are the two most common ADR methods. Mediation involves a neutral third party helping the disputing parties reach a voluntary agreement; arbitration involves a neutral decision-maker issuing a binding (or sometimes non-binding) ruling.
  • The stated benefit is efficiency and cost. The firm frames ADR as a way to reach resolution more efficiently and at lower cost than a full trial — a common rationale, since ADR typically involves less formal procedure and faster scheduling.

How ADR Fits With the Firm's Litigation Practice

ADR experience tends to complement litigation work rather than replace it. The firm describes itself as offering "complex litigation, jury trials, and appeals in state and federal courts, administrative proceedings and alternative dispute resolution (ADR)." In practice, that combination matters because:

  • A dispute may start in negotiation or mediation and escalate to litigation if talks fail.
  • An arbitration clause in a contract can require ADR before (or instead of) court.
  • Counsel who understands how a case would play out at trial can often negotiate or mediate more effectively.

If your dispute involves a contract with a mandatory arbitration or mediation clause, ask the firm directly how that clause affects your options.

When ADR May Be Worth Asking About

ADR is not the right fit for every dispute, but it is often worth raising when:

  • You want to control cost and timeline. Mediation in particular can resolve matters in weeks rather than months or years.
  • You want to preserve a business or personal relationship. ADR is generally less adversarial than trial.
  • Your contract requires it. Many commercial, construction, and employment agreements include ADR clauses.
  • You want confidentiality. ADR proceedings are typically private, unlike court filings.

Conversely, if you need a public ruling, a precedent, or urgent injunctive relief, litigation may be the better path — and the firm handles that too.

What to Ask When You Contact the Firm

The website does not publish details about ADR fees, specific mediators or arbitrators, or which attorneys lead the ADR practice. To get answers relevant to your situation, ask:

  1. Does my dispute or contract require or allow mediation or arbitration?
  2. Which attorney would handle my matter, and what is their ADR experience?
  3. How does the firm's fee structure work for ADR versus litigation?
  4. What outcomes are realistic through ADR in a case like mine?

The firm's site notes that its legal team "welcomes the opportunity to meet you, sit down with you in person and confidentially discuss the most effective solution for your unique situation," and it lists a "Contact Us Today!" prompt — so a consultation is the intended starting point for these questions.